Nigeria: Offset Communications Sues Qore Technologies Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

Offset Communications Advisory Ltd has filed a lawsuit against Qore Technologies Ltd at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking N50 million in damages for alleged copyright infringement.

The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1994/2025, alleges that Qore Technologies used content from a communications proposal submitted by Offset in December 2022 without formal engagement, attribution, or licensing.

According to Offset, the proposal was prepared after the company was asked to develop a communications strategy for Qore. The document reportedly included ideas relating to employee engagement, branding, and stakeholder management.

Offset claims that Qore later implemented elements of the proposal, including internal communication initiatives and branding concepts, without payment or a formal agreement.

“The Defendant’s execution of the content of the proposal submitted to it by the Plaintiff without any formal engagement, attribution or a licensing arrangement… amounts to an infringement of the Plaintiff’s copyright,” Offset stated in its writ of summons.

The plaintiff said it discovered the alleged infringement in April 2025 and notified Qore Technologies, but attempts to resolve the dispute were unsuccessful.

Reliefs Sought

Offset is seeking:

• A declaration that Qore’s actions constitute copyright infringement
• N50 million in general damages
• N5 million in litigation costs
• 29 percent post-judgment interest
• A perpetual injunction restraining further alleged infringement

Defendant’s Response

Qore Technologies denied the allegations, stating that Offset was only engaged for limited Public Relations support services and had been paid for those services.

“The Plaintiff merely provided routine and secondary Public Relations support services… for which the Plaintiff was remunerated,” Qore stated in its defence.

The company also argued that the ideas referenced in the proposal are not protected under copyright law, describing them as generic corporate communication practices widely used across industries.

Qore further maintained that no binding agreement existed regarding the proposal and that its communication and branding strategies were developed internally and by its consultants.

Counterclaim and Jurisdiction Challenge

In addition, Qore challenged the competence of the suit, arguing that the statement of claim discloses no reasonable cause of action and that the court lacks jurisdiction.

The defendant also filed a counterclaim seeking:

• N6.35 million for legal fees
• N2 million in additional costs

Next Hearing

At the hearing on March 23, 2026, counsel for both parties identified their filings, and the court adjourned the matter to June 22, 2026, for further proceedings.

The case is expected to test the scope of copyright protection in Nigeria’s communications and public relations industry, particularly regarding ownership of proposals and business ideas.