The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to fight against all forms of copyright infringements and abuses.
Dr John Asein, the NCC Director-General, made the assertions on Friday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCC had on Thursday presented an award to Miss Firdaous Ojutalayo, the overall winner of the maiden NCC Creative Writing Competition 2023 in Ibadan.
Ojutalayo is a Senior Secondary School II student of Muslim Model College, Ibadan.
Asein, represented by Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, said the commission was intensifying its proactive enforcement initiatives and enhancing the collective management of rights.
He advised Nigerians to desist from all forms of copyright infringements and abuses, saying that stiffer penalties were now available in the new Copyright Act for criminal infractions.
“Working with various stakeholders and relevant agencies, the commission has commenced series of public education and enlightenment campaigns as a prelude to a full scale national anti-piracy drive.
“With the stiffer penalties available in the new Copyright Act for criminal infractions, the public is, therefore, advised to desist from all forms of copyright infringements and abuses,” Asein said.
The NCC director-general said that piracy was a cankerworm eating up the very fabric of the nation’s economy as it steals from right owners and kills creativity.
Asein urged schools and their students to join in the fight against piracy by refusing to patronise pirated books or pirating other people’s works.
He acknowledged the immense work that had gone into various writings, encouraging them to continue to use their creative talents for the good of educational and creative industry.
Asein, also assured Nigerians of full protection of their copyright and adequate return on their intellectual investment.
“On our part as the body charged with the responsibility of protecting copyright in Nigeria, we assure you of full protection of your copyright and adequate return on your intellectual investment,” he said.
Also, Mrs Olabisi Ogundiran, the Oyo State NCC Coordinator, explained the role of the commission and how Nigerians could benefit from it.
Ogundiran said the essence of every creative work was to make economic gains, adding it was criminal for anyone to steal other people’s intellectual property.
