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Lily Perez Films has raised serious allegations of copyright infringement against the producers of George Hates Christmas, a holiday-themed movie produced by ChinnyLove Eze, accusing the project of copying major creative elements from its earlier film, A Kristmas to Love.
The allegation follows growing reactions from viewers who noticed striking similarities between the two Christmas movies shortly after George Hates Christmas was released. According to the complaints, both productions appear to share closely related storylines, character structures and even specific scenes, raising concerns about originality.
A Kristmas to Love, produced by Lily Perez Films, was released in December and quickly gained traction online, emerging as one of the Top 5 family Christmas movies on YouTube during the festive period. The film’s success attracted attention, but also sparked controversy when audiences began drawing parallels with George Hates Christmas.
Actor Baaj Adebule was among the first industry figures to publicly question the originality of George Hates Christmas. He raised concerns over what he described as “major similarities” between the two films and called attention to the need for accountability in creative storytelling. His comments amplified the debate and pushed the issue further into public discussion.
Reacting to the situation, producer Lily Perez issued a strong statement demanding the immediate suspension of George Hates Christmas pending a full review by relevant industry and regulatory bodies. She insisted that the matter goes beyond competition and speaks directly to respect for intellectual property and creative labour.
According to Perez, her production company is seeking several remedies, including a public acknowledgment that A Kristmas to Love is the original work, the temporary withdrawal of the disputed film, a formal apology, compensation for damages, and intervention by appropriate industry authorities.
“This project was born from a deeply personal story, and seeing it replicated without consent is painful and unacceptable,” Perez said.
She stressed that allowing the allegedly infringing film to continue circulating without scrutiny could set a dangerous precedent for Nollywood, especially for independent and emerging filmmakers.
“Allowing the film to circulate while these issues remain unresolved undermines trust and fairness within Nollywood,” she added.
Perez also explained that the demands are not driven by rivalry or personal conflict but by a desire to protect originality and creative ownership in the industry. She warned that silence or inaction could encourage exploitation and weaken protections for storytellers.
“This is about justice, not vengeance. Young creatives deserve protection, not intimidation,” she said.
She further noted that her production company has suffered both financial losses and reputational harm as a result of the controversy, emphasizing that such situations can discourage innovation and originality among upcoming filmmakers.
According to Perez, failure to address the matter decisively could send a damaging message to young creatives who already face significant challenges navigating the industry. She warned that unchecked practices could stifle creativity and discourage fresh voices from contributing to Nollywood’s growth.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to long-standing concerns about copyright enforcement within Nigeria’s film industry. Industry observers say the case highlights persistent structural imbalances, where emerging producers often struggle to protect their work against more established players.
As Nollywood continues to gain global visibility and recognition, stakeholders argue that safeguarding intellectual property rights is crucial to maintaining credibility, professionalism and sustainable growth. Stronger enforcement mechanisms, clearer dispute-resolution channels and greater respect for originality are increasingly being called for as the industry expands.
For now, the public and industry stakeholders are awaiting responses from relevant regulatory bodies and professional associations, which are expected to review the claims and determine appropriate next steps. Many believe the outcome could set an important precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
As discussions continue, the controversy surrounding George Hates Christmas and A Kristmas to Love has reignited broader conversations about fairness, authorship and creative ethics in Nollywood — conversations that may shape the industry’s direction in the years ahead.
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