The Story ⚡
Netflix has greenlight a second season of Shanty Town.
This move has sparked a war between its credited producers on the IP ownership of the series and who should produce it.
Tell Me More
Per sources familiar with the matter, Netflix Africa executives have commissioned a second series of Shanty Town and have been engaged in talks on story, budget and cast from last year.
The show’s first season which began streaming on Netflix on January 20th 2023 is directed by Dimeji Ajibola.
The 6 part series title follows a group of courtesans (prostitutes) who attempt to escape the grasp of a notorious kingpin – but political corruption and blood ties make freedom a near-impossible goal.
As a crime thriller, the series ensembles included Chidi Mokeme, RMD, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe Etim, Uche Jombo, Shaffy Bello, Sola Sobowale, Zubby Micheal, Toyin Abraham, Nancy Isime, Lilian Afe, Paul Okoye, Regina Daniels, Ali Nuhu, Slimcase, Mercy Eke.
Shanty Town was successful as a local series acquired by Netflix back in 2022 as the title sparked heavy positive conversation on its distinct characters, use of local languages and even solely engineered the industry return of Chidi Mokeme who has now booked leading roles after the series debut.
Legal Spat
In a letter sent to Netflix by the Law Firm Pentagon Partners, on behalf of Ini Edo, they demand the streaming service stop any negotiations with GCM or Chi Chi Nworah to produce a second season as the said person/companies do not have the sole intellectual property rights to the project.
if they do not do so, a court case to sue for copyright infringement will be served.
Here are some reveals seen in the filed document published on the internet
- The relationship between Ini Edo and Chi Chi Nworah began as a co-production agreement on 13 December 2019 with another named partner, Joy Odiete, to produce a slate of 5 movies in a 10-year timeline. As a result of these formalities, Ini Edo and Chi Chi in April 2021, made a pitch to Fidelity Bank for funding/sponsorship for the movie Shanty Town
- In June 2021, a second agreement has been arranged between MEP, GCM, Nevada Bridge TV and Champion One Entertainment. The above-mentioned companies signed a “Shanty Town Investment Agreement”
- In the signed “Shanty Town Investment Agreement”, the document in clause 4 states that IP rights shall remain with MEP and GCM with also a 5% total profit from the venture.
Copyrights and file trademark
A document dated 17th March shows Producer Chi Chi Nworah filed a copyright registration on the series title “Shanty Town” and the character name “Scar”
Ini Edo’s Lawyers claim this move was done without her consent and hence fraudulent.
GCM Fireback Publicly
Giant Creative Media has fired back at the claim made by Ini EDO’s lawyers. A press release from the company shares that the Chineye Nworah is the sole initiator and sole copyright holder of Shanty Town and that the media should cease spreading false claims.
In Summary
With the legal battle made public, one wonders how the matter will be resolved and if Netflix will go ahead to produce the second season of Shanty Town.
Thanks for Reading.
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