NCC Promotes Copyright Awareness among Printers, Creatives

The Management of the University Bookshop Nigeria Limited (UBN Ltd) has been cautioned to desist from the sales of pirated works following the continuous display of pirated books for commercial purposes on the shelves of the bookshop as observed during routine operations by the Commission’s operatives.

The advice was given during a meeting of the NCC Ibadan Office with the Managing Director, UBN Ltd, Mr. Agbola Olatunji Israel and his team at the University of Ibadan.

State Coordinator, Ibadan Office, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, while displaying evidence of the bookshop’s involvement in selling pirated books, explained to the team that pirated works had been removed from the University’s Bookshop shelves on three different occasions. She used the opportunity to sensitise the management of UBN Ltd on what constitutes Copyright offences from section (44) of the Copyright Act.

The Ibadan Office, Chief Copyright Officer, Legal, Mrs. Adeola Apara, stated that the University Bookshop must desist from selling pirated books and patronise genuine publishers, authors, accredited book vendors and agents rather than buying from pirates adding that ignorance is not an excuse before the law.

Responding, the MD UBN, appreciated the Commission for the meeting and promised to put an end to the illicit act while admitting that the books showed to him were seized from the University bookshop.

He however, requested the Ibadan Office to organise a seminar for the management team of the University Bookshop to learn the features that differentiate original works from pirated ones.

The NCC and the MD, UBN agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed in due course to ensure the purchase of books from legitimate sources.

In another development, NCC Ibadan Office on Wednesday, 5th June 2024, organised a Seminar for the Association of Professional Printers of Nigeria, (ASPPON), Ibadan District, with the topic: Applicability of the Copyright Act in the Printing Industry. The seminar was aimed at sensitising and guiding printers on the relevance of the Copyright Act to the printing industry.

Chief Copyright Officer, Legal, NCC Ibadan Office, Mrs. Adeola Apara, while sensitising the printers, explained some sections of the new Copyright Act : Section 36 – Copyright Infringement, 38 – Order for inspection and seizure, 40 – Forfeiture of infringing copies, 44 – Criminal liability, 48 – Duty to keep record and 86 – Duties of Copyright Officers.

She stressed on the importance of keeping proper records of all their work,s showing all the columns as indicated in section 48 of the Copyright Act.

The Printers were advised to do their businesses within the ambit of the law and warned that offenders will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.

Responding to questions about what should be done if their works are pirated, the State Coordinator, explained that the best approach is to report such offence to the office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. She encouraged authors to register their works on the Commission’s e-registration platform in order to have their records in the Commission’s data bank.

Mr. Kayode Famurewa, the Chairman, ASPPON, appreciated the Commission for the seminar and having their interest at heart and assured that members will abide by the tenets of the law in the day to day running of their businesses.

A new “Job Register Book” with extract of section 48 of the Copyright Act stated on the 1st page was introduced by the chairman, ASPPON, to members in order to guide them on how to work in line with the Copyright laws.