Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on Thursday took copyright compliance checks to some Abuja markets and schools to clampdown on piracy in the country.
The Commission said the purpose of copyright compliance checks was to ensure booksellers and school managements respect and comply with the nation’s copyright laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCC enforcement operatives inspected Genesis Bookshop, Good Day Books Ltd. at Area 10, Abuja, as well as paying sensitisation visit to the management of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja.
Also inspected were Himnet Educational Services and Victory Book Shop at AMAC Market FHA Lugbe Abuja.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inspection tour, the Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein, said the purpose of the copyright compliance check to some Abuja market places was to ensure that booksellers procure books from right channels.
Asein, who was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, NCC Director of Public Affairs, added that the sensitisation visit was imperative as some publishers sold pirated books to schools, hurting the creators and the nation’s economy.
“You know, before now, there seemed to be massive ignorance of what copyright is and what constitutes piracy. But today, we observe that most people seem to know us, who we are as a government regulatory agency, and what our mandates are.
“We found out that some of them know that it is wrong to purchase pirated materials while some are still purchasing pirated materials, or rather sourcing their books from very wrong channels.
“And that is why we need to sensitise more because the sensitisation will go a long way to help. We are sensitising, but we need to up our game. So, we will keep doing it so that they will really know the difference between the real copies and the pirated copies.
“And then what are those sources that they are supposed to engage with in procuring their resources? So, that has been the observation today.
“We also found out that some of them are still adamant, believing that if they sell the copyright books, that people complain that they are expensive, that is why they go buying pirated books that appear cheaper.
“So, the ignorance there is they don’t know they are hurting people. They are hurting creators, and they are hurting the economy. “
(Agency Report)
