Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John O. Asein, has assured stakeholders in the book industry of the Commission’s continued commitment to antipiracy measures to facilitate creation of safe corridors for stakeholders in the creative sector to enable right owners reap dividends of their intellectual property (IP).

The Director-General disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the NCC, Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) and Booksellers Association of the Ariaria International Market, Aba, at the Abia State Capital, Umuahia on 22nd September 2021.  The MOU, geared towards preventing the sales of pirated books in Ariaria Market, was witnessed by the representative of Abia State Government and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Chief (Sir) Michael Egwu.

Speaking during the signing of the MOU, the NCC Director-General informed that the MOU would be executed in other states of the country. Assuring the booksellers that the MOU would be to their advantage, he urged the traders to abide by the agreement as the MOU had been negotiated and reviewed by the parties before the signing.

Mr. Asein stated that the copyright system must be allowed to grow and put food on the tables of authors with adequate returns on their investments in order to attract more investors which would ultimately contribute meaningfully to the economy of the states and the nation. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to the rules for all stakeholders in the book value chain – particularly the authors, printers, publishers and booksellers.

In his remarks, the representative of the State Government and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Chief (Sir) Michael Egwu, said the MOU would harmonise all sectors in the creative industry to operate seamlessly for the benefit of all. He expressed happiness that Abia State was chosen to pilot the initiative and commended the Director-General for his humility and doggedness.

The Deputy President, Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Chief Austin Onwubiko, decried the challenges faced by publishers in Nigeria as “the benefits accruable to them are being enjoyed by pirates who reproduce their works and flood the markets”.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Booksellers Association of Ariaria International Market,  aba, represented by the Chairman, Books and Stationaries Section, Mr. Uchenna Echetam, said the booksellers welcomed the development but pleaded for fair treatment.

The Director-General further remarked the that the Commission adopted a balanced approach in its regulatory measures and warned that it would not spare any proprietor, school head or any person in any school caught distributing or selling pirated materials.

Others in attendance during the signing of the MOU were: an NCC Board member and N.P.A. Executive Council member, Dr. (Sir) Jesse Odu; Chairman, Taskforce Booksellers Association, Ariaria International Market, Aba, Mr. Tochukwu Emenike, and Secretary, Booksellers Association, Ariaria International Market, Aba, Mr. Valentine Uzor.