The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is set to introduce mandatory documentation for booksellers as part of its strategy to curb piracy in the country.
Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of NCC, revealed this initiative during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Asein noted that the documentation process has already commenced in Abuja and will eventually extend to other states. He emphasized the importance of making online registration for booksellers straightforward and efficient.
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“As soon as NCC rolls out the regulation, it becomes mandatory for all booksellers in the country,” Asein stated. “I am hoping we can achieve this at the beginning of next year. So that as we approach the next book season, we will have rolled out some of these initiatives.”
The NCC chief also indicated that the commission is establishing a framework for anti-piracy devices, including the use of holograms. He explained that the implementation will occur in phases, starting with voluntary compliance, before determining which books will require the mandatory use of holograms.
“We will start with the purely voluntary scale and also determine which books may require compulsory use of the hologram,” he said. “The commission has different models, which we are already discussing with the publishers. NCC will procure and give the holograms to the publishers.”
Asein added that there will be a uniform tracking system for the holograms, ensuring all are documented in their records. This initiative aims to streamline the monitoring process for copyright officers and enhance the fight against piracy.
He urged those involved in piracy to cease their activities, emphasizing that piracy ultimately harms creativity. “As a matter of fact, piracy kills creativity. We know authors who have resigned from the business of authorship because of pirates,” he said. “It steals from individuals and investors and destroys the economy.”
Asein concluded by highlighting the urgent need for collective action against piracy, stating, “There is no better time for everyone to fight against piracy because we cannot sustain the creative economy if we keep allowing people to steal from that economy.”
