Offset Communications Initiates Legal Action Against Qore Technologies
Offset Communications Advisory Ltd has filed a lawsuit against Qore Technologies Ltd in the Federal High Court of Lagos, demanding N50 million in damages for alleged copyright infringement.
Allegations of Unapproved Use of Proposal Content
The lawsuit, designated as FHC/L/CS/1994/2025, claims that Qore utilized content from a proposal submitted by Offset in December 2022 without obtaining formal involvement, proper attribution, or a licensing agreement.
Details of the Lawsuit
Qore is identified as the sole defendant in this case, which was initiated on September 29, 2025, by attorneys Jimoh Bamigbola and Omobolaji Idris on behalf of Offset. According to the plaintiff, a Lagos-based telecommunications firm, it had previously collaborated with Qore on a public relations project and was later approached to develop a communications strategy that included innovative approaches to employee engagement, branding, and stakeholder management.
Claims of Unauthorized Implementation
Offset asserts that Qore adopted various elements from its proposal, particularly initiatives related to internal communications and branding strategies, without any compensation or formal agreement. “The defendants implemented and integrated the proposals into their public relations and communications strategies without formal engagement with the plaintiffs,” the complaint highlights.
Failure of Dispute Resolution Efforts
According to the plaintiffs, they became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in April 2025 and promptly informed Qore. However, attempts to resolve the matter amicably were unsuccessful.
Requested Legal Remedies
In addition to seeking a declaration that Qore’s actions constitute copyright infringement, Offset is also asking for general damages of N50 million, court costs of N5 million, post-judgment interest at a rate of 29 percent, and a permanent injunction to prevent further infringement of their copyright.
Qore Technologies’ Defense and Counterclaims
In response, Qore Technologies has rejected the allegations, stating that Offset only provided limited public relations services for which it was compensated. The company maintains that the ideas cited by the plaintiffs are not eligible for copyright protection, asserting that these concepts represent common corporate communication practices widely adopted in the industry. Additionally, Qore contends that no binding agreement was established concerning the proposal, as the branding and communications strategy was internally developed and formulated by independent consultants.
Court Proceedings Update and Implications for the Industry
Furthermore, Qore has contested Offset’s standing to bring the case, arguing that the Statement of Claim fails to disclose a reasonable cause of action and that the court lacks jurisdiction in this matter. The company has also filed a counterclaim seeking N6.35 million and N2 million in legal fees incurred in defending against the lawsuit. During a hearing on March 23, 2026, legal representatives for both parties presented their positions, leading the court to adjourn the case until June 22, 2026, for further proceedings. This case is anticipated to explore the boundaries of copyright protection within Nigeria’s communications and public relations sectors, particularly regarding the ownership of proposals and business ideas.
