Copyright Commission Set for Regulations to Sanitise Book Industry

More regulatory interventions for total compliance with the book chain will soon be introduced for publishers, printers and booksellers in the country.

Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John O. Asein, disclosed this during a consultative meeting with the new President of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke and the immediate past NPA President, Mr. Adedapo Gbadega at the NCC Headqaurters in Abuja recently.

Dr. Asein indicated that the Commission’s interventions were geared at sanitising the book industry by creating an effective regulatory regime for protection and development of the creative industry. Noting that the national antipiracy campaign could not be worn by Government alone, he reassured that the Commission, in collaboration with all stakeholders, was determined to reduce the scourge of piracy to a single digit.

The Director-General assured of adequate consultations with NPA members and other stakeholders in the publishing industry before the regulatory interventions would be rolled out for the benefit of all. He tasked the NPA that the future of the creative sector in Nigeria could not be guaranteed until all stakeholders were committed to a collective copyright regime for the book sector.

Dr. Asein reiterated NCC’s commitment to synergy with the NPA to ensure that the Association fulfilled its vision of giving clear direction in the book sector by ensuring that quality books were made available to Nigerians to sanitise the sector.

“We can partner to protect the book sector, to ensure there are safe corridors for genuine copyright works and make input to the sustainable development goals”, he stated.

He noted that the Commission’s collaboration with sister Government agencies has paid off, adding that all hands must be on deck to reduce piracy to the barest minimum. He indicated that in the coming year, stakeholders would see more regulatory interventions in the book sector.

The NPA President, Chief Anioke, hinted that the Association would join other stakeholders in lobbying the National Assembly for speedy passage of the Executive Copyright Repeal Bill into law. He observed that the Commission has become a force to reckon with in the creative industry and commended the DG for NCC’s efforts since his assumption of office. He assured of NPA’s continued support towards boosting the achievement of the Commission’s mandate.

Chief Anioke noted that the new partnership that NCC initiated with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on behalf of publishers was working. He expressed publishers’satisfaction with the Commission’s recent anti-piracy interventions in the publishing industry and copyright protection campaign in schools.

The NPA President assured the NCC of publishers’ adequate support and noted that if the tempo of the Commission’s antipiracy campaign was sustained, pirates would be brought down on their knees. He prayed for God’s guidance for operatives of the Commission because of the herculean task of fighting pirates.

“Pirates are now on their toes. We can win the war against piracy. God will continue guide you and NCC personnel because your mandate is delicate”, he stressed.

Dr. Asein used the opportunity of the NPA executives’ visit to congratulate Nigerians on the nation’s upcoming 61st Independence Anniversary and tasked Nigerian authors and stakeholders in the sector to write and publish more books to showcase Nigerian values and legacies for the next generation.

“Hope Government can rely on the publishing industry to disseminate good values and showcase the legacies of Nigeria as we look forward to a wonderful 61st Independence Anniversary”, he remarked.

Others in attendance were NCC’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Mark Obasi and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Vincent A. Oyefeso.

 

Vincent A. Oyefeso

For: Director-General