Port Harcourt, Nigeria (TheGavel) – In a decisive move against intellectual property theft, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested three booksellers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for their alleged involvement in book piracy. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, September 11, 2024, resulted in the seizure of pirated books valued at a staggering N3 million.
According to Mr. Abdul Babatunde, the Director of the NCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate, the suspects are currently under investigation and will face legal prosecution once their involvement in the illicit trade is firmly established. The commission’s action is part of its broader mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other stakeholders in the copyright ecosystem.
“It’s our mission to ensure that creators receive the rightful rewards for their hard work,” emphasized Babatunde. “We are determined to reduce piracy activities in Rivers and Bayelsa States to a minimum.”
Dr. John Asien, the NCC’s Director-General, has made it clear that there is zero tolerance for piracy and violations of copyright laws. He warned booksellers, printers, and importers to refrain from stealing intellectual property. The commission is also urging the public to avoid patronizing pirates, as doing so is a criminal offense.
“Buying pirated books is a contravention of Section 44 of the Copyright Act, 2022,” Babatunde stated. “It stifles creativity and harms the economy. Let’s support legitimate publishers and authorized dealers, not middlemen, printers, or roadside vendors.”
The NCC is calling on the public to assist the commission by providing credible information that can help in the fight against piracy. One of the arrested suspects, Mrs. Chinyere Ezediora, expressed her lack of awareness about the anti-piracy laws, claiming to have recently entered the business. She urged the commission to conduct more public sensitization campaigns to educate the public about the legal implications of piracy. (NAN)
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