World Book/Copyright Day: NCC intensifies antipiracy drive

THE Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC says it is intensifying antipiracy drive and enforcing stiffer penalties for copyrights infringement and abuse of all literary works in the country.

Dr John Asein, the Director-General, NCC, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja in commemoration of the World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated every April 23.

Asien, while lamenting over the cases of piracy on the country, added that the new Copyright Act 2022, will improve author’s rights and address the challenges of digital transmission and online exploitation of works.

“To guarantee adequate return on intellectual and financial investment in all creative sectors, the Commission is intensifying its proactive enforcement initiatives as well as enhancing the collective management of rights.

“Working with various stakeholders and relevant agencies, the Commission has commenced a series of public education and enlightenment campaigns as a prelude to the full scale national antipiracy drive.

“With the stiffer penalties available in the new Act for criminal infractions, the public is therefore advised to desist from all forms of copyright infringements and abuses,” he said.

He also called on authors and other stakeholders to join the commission in telling the copyright story and drawing attention to the ills of piracy and other copyright abuses.

He stressed the need to recognise linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving, promoting and encouraging the use of indigenous languages in literature and other creative works in line with 2023 theme, “Indigenous Languages!”

” Together, let us, in our literature, music, performances and movies explore alternative languages and give voice to indigenous communities,” he said.

He explained further that with the over 600 indigenous languages in the country, Nigeria has a lot to offer to the world through its indigenous languages and the associated knowledge.

The NCC boss said they had consulted with relevant stakeholders to formulate the needed Regulations and Guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of the Act on the protection of expressions of folklore.