Afrobeats, Nollywood and Nigerian creators now reach audiences worldwide, attracting international labels, distributors, streaming platforms and brands. With that growth come more complex contracts and higher stakes. Many disputes in the industry stem from agreements signed early in a career, without independent advice, that give away rights for long periods or on unclear terms.
Who we act for
- Recording artists, songwriters and producers
- Record labels and distribution companies
- Music publishers
- Artist managers and management companies
- Event promoters and venues
- Influencers and content creators
- Brands engaging talent
Agreements we draft and negotiate
- Recording agreements and licence deals
- Music publishing and administration agreements
- Distribution agreements with digital service providers and aggregators
- Management agreements
- Producer and featured artist agreements, including splits
- Live performance, touring and booking agreements
- Sponsorship and endorsement agreements
- Sync licences for film, TV and advertising
Key issues for artists
- Term, territory and the number of albums or projects
- Ownership of masters and reversion of rights
- Royalty rates, advances, recoupment and accounting
- Control over creative decisions and use of name and likeness
- Rights to audit
- Termination rights
Rights and royalties
We advise on the ownership of copyright in compositions and sound recordings under the Copyright Act 2022, the role of collective management organisations approved by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, and the collection of royalties from local and international sources.
Disputes
Where relationships break down, we review the contracts and pursue remedies, including recovering unpaid royalties, regaining rights and resolving disputes over ownership and splits, through negotiation, mediation or litigation.
