AML 131: Isioma Idigbe on Filing Nollywood's Historic Copyright Lawsuit Against Omoni Oboli & Filmhouse Cinema

On Friday, March 24, 2017, a large audience gathered for the premiere of Filmmaker Omoni Oboli’s movie ‘Okafor’s Law’ at the Film House Cinema in Lekki Lagos. The event, however, came to a screeching halt because Isioma obtained an injunction, ex-parte (on an emergency basis), and put a stop to the premiere. That moment was so monumental for Nigeria’s entertainment industry that it ricocheted across the African continent and into the diaspora. It was a moment that sent a powerful message that there was a new paradigm shift in Nollywood, one that was serious about protecting the rights of creators.

Isioma joins Ms. Uduak, founder and host of the Africa Music Law Podcast Show, on the 131 st episode to share her personal and career background, and why she took on the fight against Nollywood’s darling Oboli and Film House, her distributors. She also discusses the business of music, among many topics. This is the first episode of a three-part series.

BIO

Isioma Idigbe (guest) holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) degree from the University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom and a certificate in Entertainment Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at the York University Toronto, Canada. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2015 and is a graduate from the Nigeria Law School.

Isioma joined Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors in 2017 as an associate and quickly rose up the ranks, the same year, to become the head of the firm’s Media and Entertainment law practice after securing major local and international clients for the firm in that practice area. Outside of her firm work, Isioma has been heavily involved in policy work affecting Nigeria’s film industry, including leading the research team on the regulatory framework in the Nigerian Film and Television industries and submitting a proposal to the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). The proposal was subsequently forwarded to the country’s current Minister of Information.

She is one of the founding members of the Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN) and is a trustee on its board of trustees representing Universal Music Nigeria.

Isioma has pioneered and hosted extensive Media and Entertainment Law training sessions in Nigeria, including the annual free training by her firm’s media and entertainment team at the prestigious Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).She is a regular speaker at various local and international conferences, and has spoken at organizations such as the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers (IAEL) annual conference held in Cannes at MIDEM, the leading music conference for the global music community.

In recognition of her work in 2018 she was awarded the prestigious rising star award at the African Law Digest awards.

Uduak Oduok, (Moderator) founder of Africa Music Law, is a Partner and Co-Founder of Ebitu Law Group, P.C. where she handles her firm’s intellectual property law, media, business, fashion, and entertainment law practice areas. For fifteen years, as an attorney, she has litigated a wide variety of cases in California courts. She has also handled a variety of entertainment deals for clients in the USA, Africa and Asia including network television and licensing deals. Her work and contributions to the creative industry have been recognized by numerous organizations including the National Bar Association and featured in prestigious legal publications in the USA: ABA Journal and The California Lawyer Magazine. She can be reached via email (uduak@ebitulawgrp.com) or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook with the @msuduak handle.