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You stretched out your calloused palms
Switched in your weed-infested smile
And unfold our battled historical past
Like a tattered mat for my calling toes…
– Extracted from the poem ‘A SONG FOR AJEGUNLE’ by Niyi Osandare
This publish summarizes the dialogue held on 16 Might 2024 at a program on mental property and sustainable improvement on the College of Antwerp, Belgium.
My position at this occasion was to debate how the copyright system contributes to reaching the SDGs. I targeted primarily on the music trade in creating nations and I approached the subject by a narrative about Ajegunle, a spot in Lagos, Nigeria.
I started by noting that often, when folks speak in regards to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its relationship with copyright, the main target is on copyright exceptions and limitations; for instance, displaying how these allow entry to data (see literature on exceptions for visually impaired persons and for libraries). So we did that briefly.
After that, I checked out how the system advantages society at giant but additionally authors themselves—the topic of the copyright system. I did this by discussing how the copyright system, the SDGs and Ajegunle, a metropolis in Nigeria, are related.
Let’s start with Ajegunle.
Ajegunle and its Music
It’s possible you’ll already know that Nigeria’s music trade is among the most vibrant on the planet. Actually, it has been described as Nigeria’s ‘New Oil’ and holds its place as Africa’s largest music trade.[1] What you may not know is that you simply can’t inform the story of Nigeria’s music trade with out speaking in regards to the position performed by Ajegunle, a district in Lagos that was as soon as infamous for being one of many harshest slums on the planet.
Describing Ajegunle, one creator wrote: “hauntingly dingy and dilapidated shanties line dusty and damaged streets. The homes, lots of that are uncompleted, are what Nigerians name “face-me-I-face-you”: rows of single rooms dealing with each other. Some households reside in a typical room of 12 by 14 toes. Cooking is generally completed alongside a darkened, smoky hall. Kids defecate and bathe within the streets.”
That, however, one factor folks favored about Ajegunle was that it was the true melting pot of Nigeria’s quite a few ethnic teams. “AJ metropolis” developed its personal distinct tradition—separate from the standard tribal groupings.
However what’s liked about Ajegunle is that, amidst the struggles and hardships, this metropolis discovered music and makes use of it as a means out of hardship. In response to how folks seemed down on Ajegunle, residents wrote and carried out songs displaying delight for his or her “Jungle Metropolis”.[2] They turned their experiences into artwork—lyrics, melodies, rhythms and dances—that resonated with folks the world over. Over time, Ajegunle grew to become synonymous with musical expertise, producing stars like Daddy Present key, African China, Danfo Drivers and Junior & Fairly.
So what has all of this bought to do with the copyright system?
Ajegunle Music and the Copyright System
With out the copyright system, it might be tough for writers, musicians, dancers and different artists to earn a dwelling or make a profession from their artwork. Now let’s think about the Ajegunle music scene with out copyright safety. Anybody might exploit anybody’s music—recording, distributing, performing it, and even utilizing it on TikTok – with out permission or compensation. Maybe some true followers should donate to assist the artists, but it surely wouldn’t be a proper. It’d be discretionary. The copyright system is the bedrock of music careers, guaranteeing creators are pretty rewarded.
Via copyright, music turns into greater than a pastime. Artists earn a dwelling by licensing their work. When a report is offered, a portion of the sale goes to the composer, songwriter, and performer. Broadcasts, concert events, and even mass-produced CDs all set off copyright charges. This method has empowered numerous gifted musicians, permitting them to construct sustainable careers.
Ajegunle Music, Copyright and the SDGs
So, how does the music copyright system contribute to reaching the SDGs?
Firstly, copyright safety fosters financial progress and respectable work (SDG 8) by offering musicians with a way to earn a dwelling from their inventive endeavors. In Ajegunle, the place poverty or different adverse tropes dominated discussions in regards to the panorama, music has turn into a forefront matter and a viable profession path for a lot of residents. It’s by the copyright system that artists can monetize their expertise, creating jobs throughout the music trade and stimulating financial improvement.
Secondly, copyright fuels innovation and cultural alternate (SDG 9) by incentivizing artists to create and share their work. A real melting pot—Ajegunle’s music scene thrives on range and creativity, with artists drawing inspiration from their distinctive experiences and cultural heritage.Copyright safety ensures that these inventive expressions are preserved and disseminated, enriching the cultural panorama and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Furthermore, copyright facilitates entry to data and cultural sources (SDG 4) by balancing the rights of creators with the pursuits of the general public. Whereas copyright grants creators unique rights to their work, it additionally contains provisions for honest use, permitting for restricted use of copyrighted materials for functions equivalent to schooling, criticism, and analysis. Moreover, copyright expiration ensures that works ultimately enter the general public area, making them freely accessible to all.
In Ajegunle, we witness a microcosm of the transformative energy of copyright in realizing the SDGs. Identical to the copyright system, Ajegunle isn’t good both. However by music, a neighborhood as soon as marred by poverty and adversity has discovered a small beacon of hope. And within the broader context of the SDGs, Ajegunle serves as a compelling case examine of how IP, notably copyright, could be leveraged to drive constructive social change. By recognizing and defending the rights of creators, we not solely nurture inventive expertise but additionally promote financial progress, social inclusion, and cultural range.
In sum, plenty of Ajegunle residents have lifted themselves and others from poverty by music. However what permits this to occur is the existence of the copyright system. As such, though this technique is usually hidden away within the background, copyright is deserving of appreciation.
In concluding, I have to stress that this isn’t to be interpreted as saying the copyright system isn’t with out its flaws. The phrase ‘mass-produced CDs’ hints on the problem of piracy, which undermines artists’ earnings. Moreover, energy imbalances can exist in contracts, with report labels, music distribution firms, and platforms probably taking unfair benefit of musicians. Implementing your copyright or resolving copyright disputes may also be a expensive and time-consuming course of in Nigeria and plenty of different jurisdictions.
Nonetheless, by the lens of the SDGs, I’m pressured to say “thanks” to the copyright system, whilst we attempt to enhance it.
Why not discover the wealthy sounds of Ajegunle music for your self? Who is aware of, you would possibly uncover a brand new favourite tune that resonates with the spirit of resilience!
[1]Sean Pager, ‘The Function of Copyright in Inventive Business Growth’ (2017) 10 Legislation and Growth Assessment.
[2]‘Ajegunle: The place Superstars Are Groomed – DAILY TIMES Nigeria’ <https://dailytimesng.com/ajegunle-where-superstars-are-groomed/> accessed 16 April 2024.
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