Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has called out a satellite service owned by MultiChoice, DSTV, for allegedly using his image without permission.
The Leicester City football star made the allegation in a post on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.
Ndidi uploaded photos of his image on separate billboard posters owned by DSTV to his 188.5 thousand followers noting that his images were printed on the advert “without my permission”.
“Abeg make una see Corporate company in Nigeria using my image without my permission for massive nationwide promotion. DSTV for that matter. Abeg which kin wahala be this one now? I go vex oh,” Ndidi captioned.
Abeg make una see Corporate company in Nigeria using my image *without my permission* for massive nationwide promotion. *DSTV for that matter* . Abeg which kin wahala be this one now? I go vex oh..🙈 pic.twitter.com/9I3ulq85FQ
— Ndidi Wilfred (@Ndidi25) April 21, 2021
The Twitter post has since attracted mixed reactions from his followers as some urged the player and his club to sue DSTV while others think it’s within their right to use the image without permission due to the cable service’s Premier League coverage right.
Replying to the post, one follower, @Incognitojones4 thinks that “Dstv has sole rights to air the premier league and can use any players image, I think.”
However, @Mista_Val_ feels that he is “absolutely wrong!!! Right to air Premier League does not mean @Ndidi25’s image right. Either Ndidi or @LCFC needs to file a suit against @DStvNg.”
Another follower, @Nemerem_Ezeoka thinks that suing DSTV is a waste of time due to their coverage right of the EPL. He wrote: “They have the TV rights to all EPL football players…suing them is a waste of time bro…your not the only one on that billboard.”
But @InnoUG97 was not accepting any excuse when he said, “A company as big as DStv should know there is something like image rights, na to sue them nah.”
Another follower, @edochie_JR wrote: “My guy abeg calm down, @DStv fit no dey aware of am, e go be one of this big stores wey dey sale @DStv decoder, based on say the owner of the store don get money to advertise for big billboard, but just calm down, make u look into the matter well.”
However, @Waxally said, “I guess dstv have the TV right to the English Premier League. I believe that’s why. But if you are still confused, you need to talk to your lawyer.”
@ObagoDeEzegeII said, “Premier League is a different company while @Ndidi25 is a different individual, no be premier league dey pay him wages… Sho get? Deal between Dstv and EPL is different so whoever picture they will use needs the player’s permission and papers are sign… EPL does same.”
@Eseoghene_andre is however of the opinion that DSTV “most likely have the right to use this due to their image rights agreement with EPL.”
Not willing to accept that DSTV might be right, @il_Cavaliersaid, “Dude, sue them let them pay for the infringement on your image rights or explain who gave them the license to use it. Companies need to learn how to be responsible.”
@PreciousIkpang however advised Ndidi to check with his lawyer before taking any legal action. “U don check ur Leicester contract well? Does it include a clause like “image can be used by sky, bt and its affiliated broadcasters”… Just check ur contract b4 u move.” the user wrote.
