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 20 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 is a graduate of Project Management from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. He has an MBA from the University of Nigeria and a Masters in Intellectual Property from Africa University, Zimbabwe. He also has 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 runs music publishing and distribution companies 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.
Dr. Chukwuji who is married with three lovely children, loves reading, researching, teaching and organizing.
