Nigerian actor Femi Adebayo is celebrating a major win against film piracy after a three-year legal battle. Adebayo,known for his roles in Yoruba films, took to social media to detail his struggles and recent court victory.
For years, Adebayo has spoken out against the negative impact of movie piracy on the Nollywood industry. He highlighted lost revenue due to illegal distribution, making it difficult for filmmakers and investors to recoup their investments.
Adebayo himself fell victim to piracy with his 2019 film “Survival of Jelili.” A media company, which owns a radio station and distributes content on Youtube, allegedly used his film’s poster and title to promote another movie, misleading fans and diverting revenue.
Undeterred, Adebayo pursued legal action with the firm Bola Adebowale & Co Legal Practitioners. After three years of litigation, the court ruled in Adebayo’s favor, awarding him ₦25 million (around $60,000 USD).
Adebayo considers this a victory not just for himself, but for the entire Nollywood industry. He encourages fellow filmmakers to fight against intellectual property theft, emphasizing that “Every win brings us closer to protecting and getting the true economic value of our works.”
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