PRINTERS and Booksellers have been enjoined to keep a comprehensive operational register of printing and sales transactions with all stakeholders in the book distribution chain.
The State Coordinator, Onitsha Office of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Gabriel Anikwem made the call while on sensitisation visits to some publishers and printing presses within the State.
The sensitisation was carried out on 5th and 10th May 2022 at Holy Family Publishing and Printing Press, Off Zik Avenue, Awka and Emerald Publishing/Printing Press, 97 Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, respectively.
Mr. Anikwem, who led other Copyright Inspectors from the State Office on the visits, enlightened the printers on the mandate of the Commission, the basics of copyright, activities that constitute piracy and the regulations guiding publishing and printing.
He took them through publishing and printing book keeping and urged them to ensure that their registers were detailed and up-to-date, adding, “it is a punishable offence not to have a register of printing or publishing activities”.
The State Coordinator further explained that in keeping appropriate records and registers, printers and publishers were helping to check piracy and other forms of illegality in the chain of distribution of creative works across the country.
In their response, the operators of the outlets visited thanked the NCC for taking time to enlighten them and gave assurances that they will henceforth ensure strict adherence to copyright best practices.