The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has cautioned booksellers in Kaduna State against patronising and selling pirated copies, vowing that offenders would face the wrath of the law.
The Director, Operations of the commission, Mr Emeka Ogbonna, made the warning during a sensitisation programme for booksellers in the state held on Friday in Kaduna.
Ogbonna commended the United Books and Stationery Dealers Association (UBSDA) for inviting the commision to enlighten them on the copyright laws and the implication of pirating original works of others .
“We are in what is referred to as a book season because schools are starting and as a result, there is an increase in demand and supply of books. And, in correlation to that, there is this tendency for some unscrupulous people to deal with what we refer to as pirated works.
”In other words, works that are not original from the stakeholders of copyright, “he said.
Ogbonna added that the commission had gotten a new Copyright Act, ‘Copyright Act 2022’, which came into effect in 2023, saying it comprises many important amendments.
According to him, the new act has created provisions for stiffer penalties for criminal copyright infringements, adding that it enabled NCC to seal off premises which was not done in the past.
Ogbonna urged Nigerians to understand the consequences of piracy and desist from buying pirated works while appealing not to paronise such works.
On his part, the Chairman, UBSDA, Nnoruka Chukwuemeka said he would use his good offices to ensure that book sellers in the central market buy their books directly from the publishing companies.
He added that he would support the commission in fishing out bad eggs among the booksellers in the state while calling on the publishers to lessen their stringent policies for them.
Earlier, Emmanuel Oguntoye, the Zonal Manager, North – West zone, University Press PLC, commended NCC for the programme, saying it was an avenue for the publishers and booksellers to discuss the way forward.
He said they gave the booksellers enhanced discounts to encourage them to buy original books and desist from buying pirated copies that were mostly cheaper but inferior. (NAN)
