In line with its renewed commitment to strengthen enforcement operation across the country, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called printers, book sellers, copyright related business owners and all stakeholders to uphold the provisions of the Copyright Act and the rules and regulations guiding their operations.
Femi Ajala, head of operations, NCC, who disclosed this while briefing the press after an inspection, sensitization and compliance exercise around the F.C.T. Abuja, noted that the exercise is aimed at enlightening stakeholders on the rules of engagement in preparation of an upcoming strategic copyright enforcement action across the country.
According to him, the exercise targeted premises and outlets dealing in copyright materials, revealed widespread breaches of the law and a lack of compliance among businesses.
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He observed that many printing outfits visited were not keeping registers of their works, as required by Section 48 of the Copyright Act and warned that after the inspections the commission will focus on enforcement, and penalties for infringement will be strictly applied. “The least we have now is a hundred thousand per copy of the infringing works that are in your possession at the time the Copyright Commission catches you,” the head of operations warned.
“The commission is not asking them to go out of business, but to go by the tenets and the principles guiding their business”.
Ajala also highlighted the growing trend of online piracy, with significant losses in billions of dollars. “To be honest with you, we cannot put pen to paper on that. It is unquantifiable. Now, the new trend is even online sales. I can tell you, the loss is in billions of dollars because it cuts across genres,” he noted.
While stressing on the need for transparency and compliance he said that the commission is calling on intending pirates, copyright infringing businesses, and the general public to take note of the commission’s efforts to protect intellectual property rights and desist from illegal activities. “If you want to deal on books, let us see the books. If it is stationeries, let us see that it is stationeries,” he advised.
While calling on all to join hands in promoting a culture of respect for creativity and copyright, he gave assurances that the commission remains committed to protecting the rights of creators and ensuring that businesses operate within the law, emphasizing that NCC will continue to intensify its efforts to address piracy.
Speaking earlier to the NCC team during the enlightenment exercise at the Commerce Market, Area 1, F.C.T. Abuja, Ruben Omenefu, chairman, Printers Association of Nigeria (PAN), in the market, appreciated the commission for the enlightenment, noting that so many printers are ignorant of the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Omenefu, who was joined by other executive members of the association, urged the commission to come back on a scheduled appointed for more enlightenment, to which both sides agreed to hold a formal training session soon.
In all, over 20 book outlets, printing outlets and artwork stands; in markets, bookshops, printing press and road side artwork vendors were sensitized during the exercise.
