The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated pirated textbooks worth over N2 million in an enforcement operation at Omoku Main Market in Rivers state. The operation, conducted by NCC personnel and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), resulted in the arrest of two suspects. The NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asein, has reiterated the Commission's determination to enforce zero tolerance for piracy in all its forms.
Dr. Asein, speaking through the Director of the NCC Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Abdulsalam Babatunde, warned that anyone found reproducing or selling pirated books would face the full weight of the law. He urged members of the public, particularly schools, tertiary institutions, booksellers, and other users of literary works, to patronize only authorized authors and publishers and refrain from purchasing pirated publications.
The NCC Director-General said the Commission would continue to execute its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act. He stressed that persons involved in the reproduction and sale of pirated books would be dealt with according to the law. The operation was conducted to curb the circulation of pirated literary works and protect the rights and economic interests of authors, publishers, and other copyright owners.
A publisher, Mr. Friday Ijere, decried the losses being suffered by publishers and authors as a result of piracy. He noted that pirates were making unscrupulous gains from intellectual works belonging to others. Ijere called for sustained sensitization campaigns to enlighten booksellers, schools, and other users of literary works on the dangers and consequences of patronizing pirated publications.
The two suspects arrested during the operation claimed they were unaware that the books they had purchased were pirated. They insisted that they had bought them believing they were genuine copies. One of the suspects said the arrest had become an eye-opener, explaining that they would not have knowingly purchased books they suspected to be pirated.
The suspects promised to desist from patronizing pirated publications and ensure that they purchase books only from authorized sources in the future. The enforcement operation underscores the NCC's renewed efforts to curb the circulation of pirated literary works and protect the rights and economic interests of authors, publishers, and other copyright owners.
The NCC's efforts to combat piracy have been commended by stakeholders, who believe that the Commission's actions will help to promote a culture of respect for intellectual property rights in Nigeria. The Commission's actions are also expected to boost the publishing industry, which has been negatively impacted by piracy.
Key points
- NCC seizes N2m pirated textbooks in Omoku market.
- Commission vows to enforce zero tolerance for piracy.
- Publishers and authors suffer losses due to piracy.
