In Nigerian football, questions often arise about who owns the right to record or broadcast a match and what laws apply. Broadcast rights refer to the legal authority granted to a league, club, or licensed broadcaster to film, transmit, and commercially exploit sports events. These rights are a major source of revenue and are protected under Nigerian copyright and broadcasting laws.
Recording sports matches in Nigeria requires authorization. Under section 13 of the Copyright Act 2022 (the “Act”), broadcast rights holders, usually the league or an assigned broadcaster, have the exclusive right to record and distribute audiovisual content of matches. Unauthorized commercial recording, even by clubs or third parties, amounts to copyright infringement.
This FAQ highlights the key legal issues surrounding the recording and broadcasting of football matches in Nigeria, the implications of unauthorized recordings, and the best practices for ensuring compliance.