Evolution of Performers ‘Rights and Cultural Performances In Contemporary Nigeria.

The term performance can be described as a an action of representing a character in a play or a public presentation or exhibition. Section 63 of The Copy Right Act 2022, further describes performance to also include a dramatic performance, which includes dance and mime; musical performance and reading or recitation of literary act or any similar presentation which is a live performance given by one or more individuals.

A person who makes a performance can be called a performer, The Copy Right Act expressly gave the definition of a performer, According to Sec 63(3) In this Part, Performers includes actors, singers, musicians, dancers, and other persons, who act, sing, deliver, declaim, play in, interpret, or otherwise performs literary or artistic works or expressions of folklore irrespective of whether the work was fixed or only fixed during performance.

Performers have certain rights over the performances as provided in Sec 63 (1) of the Act, Every performer has the power as fixed by the law to have absolute control of their work, this includes how their work would be communicated to the public, when it should be communicated, Whether or not the members of public can have full access to their works or not, and how their works should be monetized. Currently, it is not a new trend as to the evolution of performers in Nigeria. Generally, during concerts festivals and other cultural activities like the new yam festivals, etc. there are various exhibitions of performances which includes singing, dancing, mime etc. All this performances engages the minds of the audience.

Evolution of Performers’ Rights in Nigeria

Performers’ legal rights in performances had some modern forms with no legal actions provided for the protection of performance. The traditional performances was solely for the purpose of entertainment. However, over the years, The evolution of performers ‘rights and cultural performances in contemporary Nigeria has gained a level of influence by certain factors, including culture, legal changes, societal changes, globalization, and new emerging trends from the digital age.

The Performers Right in Nigeria have the past years, undergone some developments, the Copy Right Act of 1970, didn’t expressly address the performers right. However it was amended in the Copy Right Act of 1999, which included some rights, like the moral and economic rights. The Act was amended by the Copy Right Act of 2004, Performance wasn’t stated though the term was referred to as the “Neighboring Rights”. And in 2022, A new Act was introduced the Copy Right Act of 2022, which replaced the term “Neighboring Right to Performance Rights” stipulating more provisions for the protection of the Performers Right.