Nigerian actress, Bimbo Ademoye, has taken a strong stance against YouTube pirates using her films as clickbait.
In a recent Instagram post, Ademoye accused two YouTube channels, Nollynew Series TV and Nolly Specials, of stealing her movie title and poster.
She described the act as “intellectual property theft” and emphasized the financial and emotional toll it has taken on her.
Ademoye warned the pirates to desist or face consequences, stating, “you can be traced.” She emphasized that she had invested millions in producing her films and would not permit anyone to use her intellectual property without permission.
Ademoye said “And I just wanted to let you know ‘Broken Hallelujah’ is coming. But I thought we had passed the days of piracy. And this video is actually to send a sound warning.
“You know those people who take your thumbnail, your title and pretend like it is the same thing before clickbait. Please, I’m begging you now. Let us all remember that we use that email address to open a YouTube channel. You can be traced.
“I did not permit you to use it. My title has been copyrighted. It is a different thing if like a movie ‘Homecoming’, and then ‘The Homecoming’. That one is fine. But it is my actual title and my thumbnail.
“Stop uploading my movies on your channel. Those of you who use my thumbnail and my title, and you use another film, I do not care if I make the film. Do not use my thumbnail. It’s my intellectual property. It’s mine. And I’m not permitting you to use it. Please. I have had sleepless nights.
“I have been spending money. My family, my father, my nephew, nobody has slept because we’re all working to make sure that this PR is like huge. Then one evil person will wake up and decide to use my property, my intellectual property, because she wants to feed.
“As it is now, there are already 2 channels that have stolen my title and my poster for about 2-3 days now, they’re Nollynew series TV and Nolly specials. (Guys, pls help me report their channels.) It is very unfair that we’d work day and night, and one evil demon would come and reap where they didn’t sow. This time I will not take it.
“I wanted to watch @biodunstephen’s film yesterday, I typed out the title and over 40 came out WITH HER THUMBNAIL. I’d do whatever it takes to bring you guys down, let the battle begin! AYODEJI FILMS, I AM COMING FOR YOU. Can’t remember the name of the TV station in Ghana (if you do, pls indicate in the comments) but if I have to tag the office of @officialidmahama to ensure this stops.”
Ademoye’s outcry follows similar complaints from other Nollywood stars, including veteran actress, Omoni Oboli, who accused Ghanaian TV stations of airing her movies without proper licensing.
The actress’s stance has drawn support from fans and colleagues, setting a precedent for Nollywood professionals to combat digital piracy.
