Following the success of ‘Shanty Town’, Netflix was said to
have commissioned a second season. The streaming service was also said to have
been engaging in talks on story, budget and cast from last year.
But in a leaked cease-and-desist letter filed by Edo’s
attorneys to Netflix on January 15, the actress claimed co-ownership and rights
to the project.
In the letter, the actress said she began a co-production
agreement with Nworah and another partner identified as Joy Odiete on December
13, 2019.
Edo said all parties agreed to produce a slate of five
movies within a 10-year timeline.
The actress demanded that the streaming giant cease
negotiations with Nworah and Giant Creative Media regarding the potential
second season.
“It has come to our client’s attention that Netflix is
currently negotiating a sequel to the cinematograph film – Shanty Town with Ms
Chinenye Nworah and Giant Creative Media Limited (GCM) without the consent,
knowledge or waiver of our client as co-owners of the intellectual property
rights over the work Shanty Town,” the legal document reads.
“Please be advised that Ms Chineye Nworah and GCM are not
the sole owners of the Intellectual Property Rights over the cinematograph film
Shanty Town.
“Our clients are
co-owners of the said Intellectual Property Rights and have not authorised,
permitted or sanctioned Mrs Chineye Nworah and GCM to discuss any sequel with
Nexflix on its behalf.”
Reacting to Edo’s joint ownership claim, Nworah in a
statement, said she is the “sole initiator and sole copyright holder of Shanty
Town”.
Nworah’s Giant Creative Media Limited (GCM) described the
actress’ claim as “false, baseless and without merit”.
“We hereby declare that all rights, including but not
limited to copyright, trademarks, and any other intellectual property rights,
associated with SHANTY TOWN, belong solely to our creative director, Chinenye
Nworah through Giant Creative Media,” the statement reads.
