NCC Charges Publishers, Printers, Booksellers to Comply with Copyright Regulations

PUBLISHERS, printers, booksellers and other stakeholders in the book industry have been advised in their own interest to abide by the copyright law and regulations guiding the publishing and distribution of books in the country.

The State Coordinator, NCC Onitsha Office, Anambra State, Mr. Gabriel Anikwem who gave this charge on behalf of the Director-General, NCC, Dr. John O. Asein, also disclosed that the State Office has carried out series of enlightenment and inspection exercises in the third quarter of the year 2022.

He cautioned that, henceforth, Printers, Publishers and booksellers found culpable would face the full wrath of the law and be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr. Anikwem noted that the call was in line with the Director-General’s renewed commitment to fight piracy and check all forms of illegal and unethical practices in the book distribution chain.

According to him, the outlets visited were SCOA Heritage Nigeria Limited, Publishing and Printing Press at Nworah Avenue, Awka, visited on 13th July 2022; Fides Media; The Catholic Dioceses of Awka Publishing and Printing Press on Retreat Avenue, Okpuno, Awka, on 11th August 2022; and Fabs Publishers, on Abakaliki Road, Okpuno Awka, on 23rd August 2022.

He said the State Office read the riot act to the stakeholders during its Respect for Copyright and Compliance Campaign.

The State Coordinator stated that publishers, printers and book sellers were tutored on the rudiments of book publishing and distribution, record keeping, piracy and other copyright basics.