NIGERIAN COPYRIGHT COMMISSION WAGES WAR AGAINST INTELLECTUAL INFRINGEMENT







 

Nigerian Copyright Commission has expressed determination to continue to wage war against intellectual property infringement until the menace is reduced to the minimal in the country.

The Director of Enforcement, (NCC) Mr. Babatunde Adetula disclosed this on Thursday at the World Intellectual Property Day organized by Microsoft in Lagos, saying the agency is resolute to mobilize resources and ideas on how the intellectual fraud could be reduced.

The Director noted that, NCC had made a couple of arrests and a lot of people have been prosecuted  and convicted, pointing out that Nigerian courts are waking up to their responsibility on the issue of Intellectual Property.

He further maintained that the judiciary has started looking at the issue of Intellectual Property in a proper way it should be in the country, adding that intellectual property is a criminal matter and should be taking to the ultimate. He expressed that any judgment made should reflect the seriousness of the situation.

Adetula said that intellectual property fraud would hinder innovation, creativity and also ruined the country’s economy. “Piracy is like a cankerworm to the nation’s economy. It is like a caterpillar that eats up the pillars of the economy. Intellectual property is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Piracy is a global issue that needs to be addressed to ensure software innovation and development.’’ He said.

On the review of the present intellectual property law to tackle increased property right infringement, he said the matter is before the National Assembly, stressing that NCC had made proposal to the National Assembly especially in the areas of appropriate penalties for copyright offenders. He expressed optimism that by the time those proposals come on, it would make the Intellectual Property Law better.

The Anti-Piracy Conversion Manager, Microsoft, Anglophone West Africa, Mrs Ugochi Agoreyo said that the company would partner with government and intellectual property owners to tackle property infringement.

The Anti-Piracy Conversion Manager further disclosed that piracy had discouraged development and the success of the property owners as a result of drastic increased in patronage of pirated property. Photo above is the director of Nigerian Copyright Commission, Babatude Adetula. Photo credit: Anthony Adigwu.

The Anti-Piracy Conversion Manager, Microsoft, Anglophone West Africa, Mrs Ugochi Agoreyo said that the company would partner with government and intellectual property owners to tackle property infringement