Nollywood is currently embroiled in a significant copyright dispute, with filmmaker Lily Perez accusing fellow producer Chinney Love Eze of plagiarizing key elements of her Christmas film, “A Kristmas to Love.” This heated debate centers on allegations that Eze’s separate YouTube release unlawfully replicated major aspects of Perez’s festive drama. The controversy began to unfold organically after viewers noticed extensive similarities between the two productions, prompting discussions in the comment sections of Eze’s YouTube release. Many fans pointed out not only a near-identical plot structure but also overlapping character arcs and the use of the same lead actor, raising serious concerns about potential copyright infringement.
Responding to the growing backlash, Chinney Love Eze released a video denying any wrongdoing and asserting that her film was independently developed. However, this explanation appeared to further inflame public sentiment, with viewers criticizing it as dismissive and highlighting perceived inconsistencies in her narrative. The situation escalated when actor Baaj Adebule, who featured in both productions, publicly addressed the issue, stating that Eze had indeed watched “A Kristmas to Love.” Adebule also disclosed that he had raised concerns after reviewing the script for Eze’s film and had contacted Perez to apologize before the second movie was released, admitting the resemblance was obvious and raised ethical questions.
Featured snippet paragraph: The Nollywood plagiarism war between Lily Perez and Chinney Love Eze involves allegations that Eze’s Christmas film copied major plot points, character arcs, and the lead actor from Perez’s “A Kristmas to Love,” sparking a debate about intellectual property protection in the Nigerian film industry.
Lily Perez has reiterated that she wrote the original screenplay in 2024 and claims to possess documentary evidence to prove her authorship. She has challenged Eze to present verifiable proof of originality and confirmed that her legal team has issued a formal letter of demand, indicating her readiness to pursue legal action if necessary.
Perez emphasized that this matter transcends personal grievances, stating, “It speaks to the protection of intellectual property in Nollywood.” This sentiment has been echoed by many in the industry and among film enthusiasts.
Fan reactions have remained vocal and largely critical, with commenters highlighting identical storylines involving grief, romance, and Christmas-themed encounters. One viewer described Eze’s film as a “100 per cent copycat,” while others questioned whether the script had been resold or recycled, or accused the industry of failing to hold creators accountable.
This dispute highlights longstanding concerns about weak copyright enforcement within Nollywood. Many fans and critics believe that if substantiated, these allegations could mark a significant moment for the industry’s creative ecosystem.
The allegations could push Nollywood toward clearer standards and stronger legal protections for original works, a move many believe is long overdue.
Several fans also criticized the decision to cast the same male lead in both films, arguing that it made the similarities even more glaring and undeniable.
Film critics and fans have weighed in, noting the potential impact of this case on Nollywood’s creative integrity.
As legal tensions mount and public scrutiny intensifies, the unfolding dispute is being closely watched as a potential test case for how Nollywood confronts copyright infringement in the digital age.
This controversy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of originality and fair use in creative industries globally.
The outcome of this legal battle could set a significant precedent for future intellectual property disputes in Nollywood.
