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The Director-General,
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC),Mr Afam Ezekude says it is taking steps to reform
the framework of the copyright protection to respond to challenges of
the digital environment.
Ezekude made this known at the
inauguration of the National Working Group on Copyright Licensing in
Tertiary Institutions organised by the Reproduction Rights Society of
Nigeria (REPRONIG) on Tuesday in Abuja.
“This is why the commission initiated
the reform of copyright system which includes review of the copyright
treaty obligation to reflect emerging trends in information and
communication technology that affect creative contents.
“The new draft copyright bill will
among others provide for the processes of taking down infringement
creative content on any digital network subject to appropriate
conditions and safeguards.
“Service providers who fail to follow
laid down processes will be exposed to liability in civil and
criminal prosecutions because scope of offence will accommodate
infractions on the digital platform.
“However, the drafted bill is
currently at the final stages of vetting by the office of the
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“It will subsequently be presented to
the Federal Executive Council for onward transmission to the National
Assembly for legislative action,’’ Ezekude said.
The NCC boss said that the Federal
Executive Council recently approved the ratification of four
copyright treaties to which Nigeria had signed the formal acts.
The treaties include World Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty of 1996 and the WIPO
Performance and Phonograms Treaty of 1996.
Others are Beijin Treaty for the
Protection of Audio-visual Performance of 2013 and the Marrakesh
Treaty on Provision of Access to Publish Materials for the Blind and
Persons with visual impairment.
“The commission is following up to
ensure that the instruments of ratification of these treaties are
deposited with WIPO as soon as possible.
“In anticipation of this development,
the commission had also taken a proactive step of ensuring that the
current draft copyright bill reflects the various standards
stipulated in the treaties.
“As a policy and regulatory
institution, the commission is committed to ensuring a stable
author/user environment for the exploitation of creative works for
the benefits of both,’’ he said.
Ezekude expressed confidence that the
National Working Group on copyright licensing in tertiary
institutions would achieve its objectives of recommending appropriate
strategies.
He said that these strategies should
ensure that authors and tertiary institutions maximised the benefits
derivable from the collective management of copyright system to meet
their licensing obligation.
The Chairman, Board of REPRONIG, Prof.
Olu Obafemi said that the event was a demonstration of new policy of
inclusiveness and consultations in addressing the collective
management of rights in literary field.
“Studies have confirmed the huge
volume of photocopying of books, other materials and reckless abuse
of copyright that goes on in our tertiary institutions.
“One would have thought that the
heads of these institutions, themselves being authors would be more
concerned but unfortunately the practice still goes on.
“With the exception of Covenant
University, no other institution in Nigeria has obtained a
reproduction license.
“By taking a blanket license,
tertiary institutions will avoid legal repercussion of activities of
staff and students.
“This will also show the need to
respect copyright, promote and encourage creativity,’’ Obafemi
stressed.
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