Seized pirated works worth N10.5 million have been destroyed and disposed of by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in Akwa Ibom State.

The State Coordinator, NCC Uyo Office, Mr. Elijah Akpan, representing the Director-General, Dr. John O. Asein, stated that the copyright-infringing works which were destroyed on 31st March 2022 were those not subject to litigation, in line with the recommendation of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Mr. Akpan indicated that items destroyed included pirated books, musical CDs, VCDs and other copyright infringing contrivances like broadcast cables and decoders, seized by operatives of the NCC, Akwa Ibom State Office, in the past five (5) years.

Speaking during the public destruction exercise, the State Coordinator noted that the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Board assisted the Commission in the destruction and disposal of the pirated works.

According to him, the purpose of the public destruction and disposal of the seized pirated works was to discouraged piracy in its entirety and create an enabling environment for creators of copyright works to benefit from their creative endeavours.

Mr. Akpan used the opportunity to assure copyright owners of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that copyright owners reap both moral and economic benefits from their creative works.

He urged all copyright stakeholders to take advantage of the NCC e-Registration System to register their works online with the Commission through www.copyright.gov.ng – the NCC e-Registration portal.