By Priscilla Osaje
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called on Abuja printers, book sellers, copyright-related business owners and stakeholders to uphold the provisions of the Copyright Act, rules and regulations guiding their operations.
Head of Operations of the commission, Mr Femi Ajala, made the call while addressing newsmen after an inspection, sensitisation and compliance exercise around the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Ajala said the exercise was for inspection, sensitisation and compliance check to monitor premises and outlets that deal with copyright matters.
“There is a section of the law that specifically tells us that printers should do the right thing in their businesses, whether textbooks or any items that have to do with printing, so that infringement will not take place.
“We are here to check if they are really complying with the section that requires them to keep a register, and this exercise is not a day’s work; it will take a while,” he said.
According to him, the inspection, sensitisation and compliance exercise of the Copyright Act is in line with NCC’s renewed commitment to strengthen enforcement operations across the country.
Ajala said that the exercise aimed to enlighten stakeholders on the rules of engagement, in preparation for an upcoming strategic copyright enforcement across the country.
He said the exercise targeted premises and outlets dealing with copyright materials, thereby revealing widespread breaches of the law and a lack of compliance among businesses.
The head of operations observed that many printing outfits visited were not keeping registers of their works as required by Section 48 of the Copyright Act.
He warned that after the inspections, the commission would focus on enforcement and penalties for infringement, adding that it would 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 commission catches you,” he said.
He said that the commission was not asking them to go out of business but rather complying with the tenets and the principles guiding their businesses, so that their businesses could flourish.
Highlighting the growing trend of online piracy with significant losses in billions of dollars, Ajala said it was unquantifiable because it cuts across.
“Now, the new trend is even online sales. I can tell you the loss is in billions of dollars because it cuts across genres.
“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 all illegal activities.
“If you want to deal in books, let us see the books. If it is stationery, let us see that it is stationery,” he said.
While calling on all to join hands in promoting a culture of respect for creativity and copyright, Ajala assured that the commission remains committed to protecting the rights of creators and ensuring that businesses operate within the law.
He emphasised that the NCC would continue to intensify its efforts to combat piracy.
Earlier, Mr Ruben Omenefu, Chairman, Printers Association of Nigeria (PAN), Commerce Market, Area 1, Abuja, appreciated the commission for coming to enlighten stakeholders in the market.
Omenefu said that so many printers were ignorant of the provisions of the Copyright Act.
“My executive members and I appealed to the commission to come back on a scheduled appointment to enlighten our members,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 20 book outlets, printing outlets, and artwork stands in markets, as well as bookshops, printing presses, and roadside artwork vendors, were sensitised during the exercise.
NAN also reports that NCC and PAN agreed to hold a formal training session soon. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
