Worrying Reign of IP Thieves

Nigeria has been known as safe haven for stolen intellectual works and attempts by Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to stem the tide have yielded little or no results.
 
“Intellectual” and “theft” may seem strange when put together—at least at first.

But when it comes to intellectual property theft, criminals are hard at work.

Intellectual property is no longer safe and businesses are losing their competitive edge as a result.

Piracy, the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television programme, patented invention, and trademarked product has become a systemic problem in Nigeria.

At every turn whether in music, movies, electronic goods, food stuffs, automotive parts and pharmaceuticals, among many other things, pirates, unarmed but very lethal are wrecking havoc.

In the absence of official record, trillions of naira in revenue is believed to be lost annually to the counterfeiters.

It is now highly organized crime where criminal gangs including locals and foreign control production and distribution channels of copyright works.

Piracy thrives because most Nigerians are unaware or simply cannot afford licensed copies and original products.

It so bad that the federal government is considering a blanket ban on the importation of compact discs (CDs) and tightening of security at Nigeria borders where large quantities of pirate discs are being exported to neighboring countries.

Apart from Alaba International Market, Ojo, and Otigba, also known as Computer Village, both in Lagos and haven of piracy activities there are no less than 30 optical disc replication plants and 10 mastering plants that dot the length and breadth of the country.

To stem the tide, the Copyright Act to provide should be amended to provide stiffer penalties against copycats.

All relevant agencies must put in place measures to make the works of the creative artistes profitable.

Owners of intellectual property should also create their own procedures that ensure their  ideas are protected from the day they are conceived.

Simple legal methods such as trademarks and non-compete agreements are some of the strongest methods available to avoid intellectual property theft.

Victims of piracy are also advised to recruit lawyers to prosecute pirates because Nigeria’s copyright laws are very clear on what is legal and what is illegal.

Most importantly, ask close business colleagues and employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement which legally prevents anyone closely involved with your company project from discussing it with anyone outside of the organization.