IN line with preparations for the 2023 Book Season, the NCC Benin office met with members of the Booksellers Association, Edo State Chapter to map out modalities to check copyright piracy in the book distribution chain across the state on 28th July, 2023.
The booksellers who where led to the NCC office by the State Chairman, Mr. Ikenna Nwaora, enumerated their challenges to include: Schools taking over the sales of books; piracy in digital copies; publishers’ representatives refusing to sell books to them, inadequate credit facilities from the publishers and high cost of books.
Mr. Nwora while soliciting the support of the Commission, further highlighted other challenges they face as: reduction in discount to booksellers for less quantity purchase; frequent review of book editions which renders the unsold stock unsaleable the next year.
In his reaction, the State Coordinator, NCC Benin Office, Mr. Joseph Ajang enlightened the Booksellers on best practices and expectations of the Commission. He encouraged them to patronize only genuine Publishers and sales representatives and also ensure proper documentation of all their purchases.
The SC assured of the Commission’s readiness to assist them in any possible way to phase out piracy in the book sector and develop policies that will strengthen and sanitise the creative ecosystem.
Mr Ajang further urged booksellers and other stakeholders to support the Commission by acting as foot soldiers in intelligence gathering that can lead to arrests and prosecution of copyright offenders in the state and environs.

Andrew Dyege