The Nigerian Trademark Registry (NTR) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have dismissed actress Ini Edo’s quest for ownership of the hit Netflix series ‘Shanty Town,’ ruling in favor of filmmaker Chinenye Nworah.
The contentious legal battle ignited when Ini Edo, along with her production company Minini Empire Productions Limited (MEP), sought control of the trademarks “Shanty Town” and “Scar,” as well as the associated copyrights for the popular series that premiered in January 2023.
On January 10, 2024, the Trademark Registry rendered a verdict against Edo and MEP, labeling their claims regarding trademarks ‘SCAR’ NG/TM/O/2023/121745 and ‘SHANTY TOWN’ NG/TM/O/2023/97482 as “baseless and without merit,” effectively granting exclusive ownership of the trademarks to Nworah.
The tussle intensified on July 24, 2024, when both the NCC and NTR issued separate rulings, upholding Nworah’s copyrights for the literary work and audiovisual production of “Shanty Town,” identified by Certificate Numbers LW10177 and CF1448 respectively.
The NCC’s resolution underscored this: “No legal grounds were found for the cancellation of the copyright certificates, affirming Mrs. Nworah’s rightful ownership.”
Reflected the Olisa Agbakoba Legal team, “This case demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding the rights of creative individuals and companies amidst intellectual property disputes.”
The legal skirmish has not only highlighted the fierce competition within Nigeria’s entertainment industry but also raised questions about the intricate web of ownership and creativity in today’s digital age.
