Chinedu Angus Chukwuji is today arguably Nigeria’s best intellectual property expert
especially in the field of copyright and related right, music publishing, music licensing,
music distribution, music business and collective management of copyright. He has over
21 years’ hands-on experience working in the music publishing, music recording and
music distribution environment, and copyright collective management system for
musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria and across Africa.
Chukwuji has to his credit several music copyright licensing agreements he has
successfully negotiated and executed over the years with the broadcast industry,
hospitality industry, telecommunications companies, FMCGs companies, advertising
companies, multinationals organisations and so on. He has also successfully negotiated
and executed several key online and digital music contracts both locally and
internationally.
The significance of the work that Dr. Chukwuji has done and continue to do across
Africa, as it relates to music copyright, music licensing, music distribution, music
business, collective management and copyright enforcement cannot be overstated. By
his work and the contributions of other genuine stakeholders, he has reasonably
changed the music copyright and licensing landscape in Nigeria, which has made it
possible for right owners across different generations to earn income from the
exploitation of their creativity.
He has a master’s degree (MIP) in Intellectual Property from Africa University,
Zimbabwe and a PhD in executive leadership from Selinus University of Science and
Literature, Italy.
Dr. Chukwuji has attended several workshops, trainings, seminars and conferences on
music copyright, music licensing, music publishing, music business and collective
management of music at home and abroad including a two-year intensive mentoring
programme on licensing and tariff structure for new media (licensing in the digital
environment) under the auspices of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association
(NORCODE).
He was also a music copyright facilitator at the programmes organised by the
Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) and the United Nations
specialized agency for Intellectual Property, World Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO).
As the immediate past Chief Executive officer of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON),
Dr. Chukwuji was responsible for ensuring that creative works of members, affiliates
and assignors of the society across the world are protected and rewarded whenever
exploited. Dr. Chukwuji continue to champion the respect for copyright and related
rights both locally and internationally.
He currently heads a right management entity and digital music distribution company
as their CEO. He also consults for digital streaming platform, CMOs, music licensing
companies and copyright holders across Africa.
Dr. Chukwuji who loves imparting knowledge, sharing experiences and mentoring
young professionals and music copyright practitioners is the organizer of the well-
received PurpleBlue Copyright and Music Business Masterclass Series. He is also the
founder and Curator of the PurpleBlue Academy of Music Business.
