THE NAME, PAPA AJASCO AND WALE ADENUGA PRODUCTIONS REGISTRATION IMBROGLIO: A COPYRIGHT OR TRADEMARK ISSUE?

Abstract

Recently, one Mr. Ayoyinka Richard, an actor, granted an interview where he made comments about Wale Adenuga Productions, the producer of the popular television series Papa Ajasco. Mr. Richard previously played the character of Papa Ajasco in the series. However, he lamented that he was not permitted to use the name Papa Ajasco in any other movies not produced by Wale Adenuga Productions because the name had been registered, preventing him from adopting it elsewhere.

This raises the question of whether the registration of the name Papa Ajasco constitutes copyright or trademark protection. Copyright and trademark often overlap in relation to movies, broadcasts, and television series. This paper adopts a doctrinal research methodology, relying primarily on statutes, international conventions, and other secondary sources.

The paper finds that, although copyright and trademark issues frequently intersect in televised broadcasts and movies, they protect different aspects of creative works. It concludes that while the Papa Ajasco television series is eligible for copyright protection, the name Papa Ajasco, originally coined by Wale Adenuga Productions, may be registered as a trademark because Mr. Wale Adenuga is the proprietor of the name.