LASRAB, IIM-Africa, Others Seek End to Intellectual Property Theft

The Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) on 2015 International Archives Day convened a stakeholder meeting to chat way forward to confront copyright issues in Nigeria as it relate to the law, with the theme “Copyright: Interpreting the law for Archives & Allied Institutions”.

Discussants comprising archivists, Liberians, Lawyers and academia, among others in the Copyright business said it has become expedient to stop copyright infringement in Nigeria, even as the institute of Information Management (IIM-Africa) insisted that awareness creation is key.

‎However, Barrister Chris Nkwocha, zonal Director, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Lagos Operational Office and guest speaker at the Forum, said that it was imperative for copyright laws to be respected and adhered to by all in order to prevent litigation.

He submitted that it’s was high time the act of piracy was stopped as it has constituted a major economic loss to millions of creative minds in the country, a factor that has further limited research works and launching of unique ideas.

Barr. Nkwocha therefore, pointed that it was time to eradicate further piracy of multimedia materials like Films, musicals and documentaries, many visible in Alaba market, Lagos and other major stores including Books piracies many surfacing in Bookshops across the country.

He added that Archivist and Records users should always adhere to the law and see that owners of a work are properly communicated and attributed if their works must be used.

However, he said they are exception to the law, which is fair use, it states that there is freedom to use part of a material for educational purposes examples are students and researchers who use an Author’s book for the purpose of learning, research or education and not for commercial gains.

Other discussants at the event, reiterated the need to create a society where copyright laws thrive and offenders are punished.

The Discussants were: Mr. Folarin Fambegbe, Director, Golden Scepter; Dr. Tajudeen Ajani Lawal, Director, Lagos State Library Board; Mr. Habeeb Sanni, Lecturer, Department of History and International Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo; Mrs Adebukola Agbaminoja, Chief Council Ministry of Justice, Lagos State; Amb. (Dr.) Oyedokun O. Oyewole,

President, RIMa Foundation/ Chairman, Board of Trustees, Institute of Information Management-Africa and Mr. Biodun Onayele, DG, LASRB.

Mrs. Oluranti Odutola, permanent secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State pointed that it was important for Archivists to be conversant with the law of copyright in order to professionally operate in line with best global practices.

“Archivists or Archives operators are custodians of enduring records, who provide necessary data and information as published by creators, preserve and present them on request to researchers and the general public. It is therefore important that they are conversant with the law and comprehend its implication for their profession- especially as it affects the intellectual property Rights of the Persons who created the records and archives in their custody. It is essential to find out if they are vicariously liable for the actions for the users of the materials in their custody.”

Barr. Nkwocha further urged other states in the country to borrow a leaf from LASRB activities and successes.

LASRAB was conceived in 1995 as a Public Sector reform programme for better management of Lagos State records for planning, policy process, enhanced service delivery and heritage preservation.

In 2002, it was accepted as the Integrated Records and Archives Management Programme (IRAMP), a sub-component of the World Bank-assisted State Governance and Capacity Building Programme (SGCBP) which later became the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP).

A member of the panel of discussants, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, president/chairman Governing Council, Institute of Information Management contended that there was need for more awareness of copyright laws urging the Government to better empower NCC in discharging its duties.

‎His words, “You will agree that awareness is not enough. There is need for more awareness to be created. The NCC should be more empowered to embark on several initiatives and ensure that the entire nation is covered. It is very disturbing to note that many people are not even aware about the existence of Nigerian Copyright Commission”.

LASRAB formally came into legal existence as a Lagos State Government agency pursuant to Law 22 of 2007; the Bureau is under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

Administratively, LASRAB took-off on 1st August, 2008 but effective operation began on 1st December, 2008, with the appointment and assumption of duty of the premier Director General.‎