The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has made a significant seizure of three shipping containers containing 3000 cartons of pirated books, valued at over N300 million. This operation was carried out in collaboration with enforcement partners at Onne Port, Rivers, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the State Security Service.
The director-general of the commission, John Asein, highlighted that the pirated books belonged to prominent Nigerian publishers such as Africana First, Bounty Press, Evans, Learn Africa, Macmillan, Metropolitan, and University Press Plc. He expressed concern over the increasing importation of pirated books from Asia, which are of high quality and often indistinguishable from the originals.
Asein emphasized the challenges posed by pirates who operate as agents of foreign printers and engage in deceptive practices to evade detection by enforcement agencies. He also raised awareness about the misuse of the zero duty on books by unscrupulous importers and the need for enhanced collaboration with Customs to combat illicit imports.
The NCC is implementing an online pre-import certification scheme to prevent the entry of pirated books and other copyright materials into the country. Asein urged stakeholders in the book industry to exercise due diligence in their transactions and ensure proper documentation to avoid involvement in piracy.
With the support of partnering agencies and right owners, the NCC is committed to intensifying its enforcement efforts to combat copyright piracy effectively. The recent seizure sends a strong message to importers of pirated materials and underscores the government’s determination to tackle piracy across all platforms.
Asein also encouraged right owners to adopt proactive measures to facilitate the identification of illicit materials and collaborate with the Commission by sharing credible intelligence. The NCC will work with security agencies to apprehend the main suspects behind the seized books and ensure they face appropriate legal action.
In conclusion, the NCC is dedicated to upholding copyright laws and protecting the rights of creators and publishers in Nigeria. The seized books will undergo legal proceedings to determine their fate, whether they will be destroyed or returned to the rightful owners. This decisive action underscores the importance of combating piracy and safeguarding intellectual property rights in the country.
