Who owns the spotlight? Intellectual property challenges in today’s entertainment industry
Lagos, Nigeria.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 16(03), 1443-1447
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2022.16.3.1355
Publication history:
Received on 01 November 2022; revised on 222 December 2022; accepted on 27 December 2022
Abstract:
The entertainment industry prospers on intellectual property (IP) rights, yet creators often struggle with ownership disputes, copyright infringement and inequitable contracts that limit their control and earnings. This article examines the role of copyright, trademarks, and contractual frameworks in shaping the music, film, and digital sectors, highlighting key challenges such as streaming royalties, cross-border enforcement, and branding disputes. Using case studies from Nigeria, Canada, and the United States, including Taylor Swift’s re-recordings, Afrobeats distribution issues, and Nollywood piracy, the paper underscores the tension between protecting creativity and maximizing commercial exploitation. It concludes with a call for stronger regulation, greater awareness, and professional guidance to ensure that creators fully benefit from their intellectual property in the digital era.
Keywords:
Intellectual Property; Entertainment Industry; Copyright; Trademarks; Contracts; Piracy; Streaming; Afrobeats; Nollywood; Cross-Border Enforcement
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0