JUST IN: INI EDO LOSES COURT BATTLE OVER OWNERSHIP OF 'SHANTY TOWN' TO CHI CHI NWORAH

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Ini Edo, a popular Nollywood actress, lost to Chineye ‘Chi Chi’ Nworah over the ownership of the Netflix original ‘Shanty Town.’

In a huge legal success for the director and her production business, GCM Giant Creative Media Limited, the Nigerian Trademark Registry and the Nigerian Copyright Commission decided against Ini Edo.

This comes after a series of legal fights between Ini Edo and Minnie Empire Productions Limited (MEP), who sought to claim ownership of the trademarks and copyrights linked with ‘Shanty Town.’

The Trademark Registry rejected Ini Edo and MEP’s petition regarding trademarks ‘Scar’ NG/TM/O/2023/121745 and ‘Shanty Town’ NG/TM/O/2023/97482 on January 10, 2024, declaring the petition baseless and without merit, and confirming Nworah’s exclusive ownership of these trademarks.

In a separate ruling delivered on July 24, 2024, the NCC dismissed a petition by Ini Edo and MEP concerning the cancellation of two copyright certificates issued to Chinenye Nworah for the literary work “Shanty Town” (Certificate Number LW10177) and the audiovisual work “Shanty Town” (Certificate Number CF1448).

The NCC found no legal grounds to invalidate the certificates and confirmed their validity, affirming Mrs Nworah’s legitimate ownership of these copyrights.

The legal team at Olisa Agbakoba Legal was instrumental in achieving these results for Chinenye Nworah and GCM Giant Creative Media Limited.

This case highlights OAL’s dedication to defending the rights of creative individuals and businesses in the face of intellectual property litigation.

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The determination of the Trademark Registry and the decision of the NCC strengthen Mrs Chinenye Nworah’s ownership of intellectual property in respect to the Netflix series “Shanty Town”.

The successful defence of these claims highlights the importance of protecting creative works and ensuring fair compensation for artists.