The month of June started off as depressing due to certain things revolving around my writing career but I thank God that July is starting on a bright note as I got an AMVCA nomination for #Hakkunde. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
June was terrible because of the actions of @irokotv – which I’m about to spill after careful considerations. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
This is a thread on how the “Netflix of Africa” a.k.a Iroko TV (@irokotv) unlawfully & irresponsibly infringed on my copyright, made money from my work & sweat (of course w/o my knowledge, consent or permission) & are bullishly continuing to do so. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
People who follow me already know I am a writer/blogger. This is what puts food on my table & a roof over my head. This is what pays all my bills and keeps me alive. I have no other job or means of livelihood. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
So, sometime in 2014 (5th June – 4th September), I consistently published a fiction series titled “Beautiful Stranger” on my blog, here: tomiadesina.wordpress.com/beautiful-stra…. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
For 12 weeks (about 84 days & nights), I painstakingly wrote 14 episodes of this story for my followers for free. I bled at my table, just to birth the “Beautiful Stranger” series. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
In 2015, due to popular demand from my readers, I published the story as an Ebook at dl.orangedox.com/z6KFmVmsGQ6qXw… and gave it out for free. My aforementioned blog series and E-book are easily accessible by the public. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
Fast forward to sometime in June this year, I received messages from friends & readers of my blog. They were congratulating me on collaborating with @irokotv & turning my story “Beautiful Stranger” into a movie called “Swings”. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
They said they watched the movie on @irokotv YouTube page. I was shocked because I knew I never made “Beautiful Stranger” into a movie & I definitely did not do it with @irokotv. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I checked Iroko’s YouTube page here: & saw the 30 mins+ video. In the description box, Iroko directed its 900k+ subscribers to watch the complete movie on its app for $20. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I had to download @irokoTv app & pay the required fee to watch the complete movie. When I was done, I had no doubt that, it was my 2014 blog series that was adapted into a movie & monetized, w/o my consent. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
How did I know it was my blog series that was adapted into a movie? 1st, all the names of major characters in “Beautiful Stranger” are the same as in “Swings”. 2nd, the settings in “Beautiful Stranger” are the same in “Swings”. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
3rd, the plot/storyline in “Beautiful Stranger” is the same as in “Swings” (from beginning to end). 4th, EVEN THE DIALOGUES IN “BEAUTIFUL STRANGER” ARE USED ALMOST WORD FOR WORD IN “Swings”. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
It was like a bunch of actors came together, acted my blog series & then, gave it a different title. They didn't even change the names of the major characters or tweak the storyline. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I was shocked to my bones ‘cos I couldn't believe a brand like @irokotv was profiting from my intellectual property w/o my consent. I then instructed my lawyers to write them to, amongst others, immediately take down the illegal movie from their platforms. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
The least I expected @irokotv to do was comply with this simple request. Surprisingly, rather than take down the movie, @irokotv wrote back with a flimsy excuse, only saying they didn't produce the movie themselves. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I write for the movie industry, so I know @irokotv ‘s claim isn’t true as “Swings” opened with their montage. Movie production companies only put their montage if they either produced, co-produced or sponsored/partnered with the movie one way or another. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
There are many movies on @irokotv ‘s different platforms that do not start with their opening montage because IrokoTV did not produce, co-produce or sponsor/partner with the said movies, unlike “Swings”. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
Apart from (co) producing the movie, I know that the distribution, publication and/or commercialization of the illegal movie is in itself, an infringement of my copyright. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
.@IrokoTv could have simply taken down the movie if they had no hand in it, but they chose not to. As I tweet, the movie is still on their app, generating money for them. Iroko are still boldly reaping from my sweat! #IrokoTVIPInfringement
Of all the stories I have ever written, “Beautiful Stranger” is one that is most dear to me, anyone who knows me can attest that I take cancer themes really seriously. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I suffered physically & emotionally to write that story for 84 days & nights, so it hurts me so much to see a big international brand like @irokotv reaping from where it did not sow. And doing so very boldly. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
The dream of every writer is to adapt their story into a movie one day & show it to the world. It's like seeing your story come to life before your eyes. I am no different, but @irokotv has killed this dream as it pertains to “Beautiful Stranger” #IrokoTVIPInfringement
Later, Mr. @JasonNjoku will grant interviews to media houses & investors & construct lengthy medium posts on the magnificent, wondrous things @irokotv is doing. I'm sure he'll conveniently not list copyright infringement as one of those things. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I have instructed my lawyers to initiate civil & criminal proceedings against @irokotv & its directors, pursuant to the Copyright Act, 2004. The courts are the last hope of the common man & I have decided to take my chance at justice. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
I hope this serves as a deterrent to other big players in the industry who feel they can trample on the common man & get away with it. I will not be silenced. So help me God. #IrokoTVIPInfringement
