An author, Mr. Babajide Oyewusi has called on Indiana University, U.S., to pay the sum of $250m in damages and compensation for infringing on his intellectual property.

In a letter to the president of the University, Pamela Whitten dated October 11, 2024, the author, through his lawyers, lamented that the institution since 2009 digitalised his books without his permission.

The books are “The Unknown Hands”, and “Trouble Looms & Others Plays” by Folorunsho Laidi Dada and Oyewusi as co-author.In the letter signed by Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), Abdulrasheed Adekunle Adegoke (SAN), Nurudeen Ogbara and Adedotun Adetunji, the lawyers lamented that the books were registered and uploaded on Google as Google books without seeking and obtaining his prior consideration, permission and consent.

They noted that although the action of the university was helpful in getting the books into global recognition and space, the neglect, refusal and failure to seek Oyewusi’s prior permission and consent before doing so represents a major infringement and violent violation of his copyright and intellectual property for which he is unarguably entitled to seek redress.

“Apart from the foregoing, as the author and publisher of the aforesaid books, another noticeable infraction is that both your Institution (Indiana University) and Google have neglected, refused and or failed to pay any royalties whatsoever and howsoever to our client on the aforesaid books till date, a denial which has caused our client economic deprivation, psychological trauma and untold hardship owing to our client’s inability to settle most of the debts incurred in the course of publishing the books.

“Your university is undoubtedly a global platform for providing broad access to education for all students; pursuing world-class research, scholarship and creative activities and improving healthy and socio-economic cum cultural development of Indiana and humanity.

“Apart from being home to world-class business and public affairs schools, it is the world’s first school of philanthropy, America’s largest medical school and the first school of informatics, with campuses that are culturally rich and diverse communities.

“Our client ought to have been treated more fairly and more justly than you have done,” the lawyers said. They, therefore, demanded that the institution issue a written letter of apology to the author.

They also demanded the establishment of a joint or tripartite team of the university, Google and Oyewusi to determine the amount payable as royalties to the author since 2009 and the modus operandi for the arrears and subsequent royalties.

The lawyers further gave a 14-day ultimatum to the university to meet the demands and warned them to take legal action to enforce and secure the author’s rights in accordance with the rule of law and due process if the demands are not met.