In a concerted effort to invigorate creativity and bolster Nigeria’s creative economy, the Nigerian Copyright Commission ,NCC, and the Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, have inked an agreement to fortify collaboration and devise innovative anti-piracy strategies.
The agreement materialized during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John O. Asein, to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
Recognizing the pivotal role of intellectual property, particularly Copyright, in the nation’s growth, both agencies acknowledged the severe impact of copyright pirates on the sector.
They expressed their determination to introduce information and communication technology (ICT)-driven proactive measures, along with heightened training and intelligence sharing outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU. These measures aim to curb copyright piracy and illicit activities in the sector.
Dr. Asein voiced optimism about the synergy between the Nigeria Customs Act, which empowers the Service to detain and seize materials infringing the Copyright Act, and the criminal provisions of the new Copyright Act. This collaboration seeks to fortify border policing and enhance anti-piracy endeavors.
In a move to expedite the clearance of genuine imports of copyright materials, the NCC plans to introduce a pre-import notification system. Additionally, the Commission is collaborating with book publishers to introduce anti-piracy stamps on books as a deterrent to pirates.
Highlighting the connection between importers of copyright works and smuggling, Dr. Asein pledged the Commission’s commitment to eradicating pirated materials from Nigerian ports. He cautioned against colluding with foreigners to import pirated books, urging compliance with legitimate import channels.
In response, the CGC lauded the NCC for its proactive approach to rebuilding the nation’s copyright system. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to promote and safeguard the copyright system. The CGC pledged the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to providing the necessary attention to the sector.
Recognizing the evolving strategies employed by pirates, both agencies identified immediate training needs and agreed on the first round of training and activities scheduled before the year’s end.
The collaborative efforts between the NCC and NCS mark a significant stride in protecting intellectual property and fostering a robust creative economy in Nigeria.
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