The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has hosted a colloquium on copyright licencing for public performance where it warned the public against infringing on copyright of intellectual properties.
The event which was part of activities marking the African Copyright and Collective Management Day 2025 provided opportunity for stakeholders from the movie and music industry, arts and publishing houses and more to brainstorm and protect intellectual property.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Director General of Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asien lamented the dangers of copyright piracy to the creative industry, noting that it steals income from the right owners, divert revenue accruable to Government, encourages production of substandard works, destroys the nation’s economy and funds crime.
He said, “Copyright violators steals the creativity and the intellectual properties ( IPs) of creators in a very debilitating manner, subjecting the IP owners into untold hardship and divert revenue accruable to Government”
He went ahead to underscore the rationale and mandate of the Commission and the reason for the Colloquium;
“What we are doing here today is to have some frank discussion about the public performance rights under the Copyright Act, and how we should in a very responsible manner interrogate, and respond to what the law provides”, he said.
In his presentation, the National President, Hotel Owners Association of Nigeria (HOAN), Chief S.O Alabi, expressed dissatisfaction that the courts are filled with many cases while fewer judges are available to handle them.
He therefore, recommended that a special court be put in place with a more simplified procedure like it is done under National Industrial Court.
Also speaking, the Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. Obi Asika, highlighted the potential and resources inherent in the intellectual properties if well harnessed.
He advised that the rights and royalties be improved upon through regular engagement between right owners and users.
Some notable dignitaries at the event include: Oris Williki from the musical copyright society of Nigeria (MCSN), Director General, world intellectual property Organization (WIPO) Mudi Oluwatoba, DG, Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Richard Ovie, DG, human resources, Voice of Nigeria, Tolpe Gab, DG, Audio visual Rights society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mr. Mahmud Ali Balogun, Nollywood veterans Monalisa Chinda, Francis Duru, Ejike Asiegbu and more.
