Appeal Court didn’t order sub-licensing, says MultiChoice lawyers
Lawyers to pay television giants, MultiChoice Nigeria, yesterday described as incorrect, media reports suggesting that the Court of Appeal ordered the firm to sub-licence some of its channels to Metro Digital Limited, a cable television service provider.
They stated their position in a disclaimer issued by Toyin Pinheiro, Principal Partner, C.O Pinheiro and Co. Law Practice, legal representatives of MultiChoice Nigeria.
According to them, the said media reports were a misrepresentation of the judgment of the court delivered earlier yesterday.
“It is a misrepresentation of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, delivered on the 13th of July 2022.
“The court only directed the National Broadcasting Commission (the 2nd Respondent) to constitute a panel within 21 days to look into the complaints of Metro Digital Limited.
“The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, dismissed the reliefs prayed by Metro Digital Limited seeking to compel MultiChoice Nigeria Limited to sub-licence some channels to Metro Digital Limited.
“The general public is hereby informed to disregard the incorrect reportage,” Pinheiro stated in the disclaimer.
MultiChoice is the South African owner of the satellite television services, DStv and GOtv – popular subscription-based platforms in Nigeria.
Metro Digital Limited is a multi-channel terrestrial digital satellite service provider in Nigeria.
According to the statement, Metro Digital Limited had approached a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt after MultiChoice turned down its request for the sublicensing of some of its channels on the ground that it does not own the rights to the channels and programmes for which the request was made.
Last year, Metro Digital’s case was dismissed by the Federal High Court on the ground that it was unable to contradict MultiChoice’s claim that it does not own the rights to the content requested.