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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is taking new steps to tackle book piracy by requiring booksellers to register with the commission. This move aims to protect the work of authors, publishers, and investors from the damage caused by pirated copies.
Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of NCC, shared the plan during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said the registration process, which has already begun in Abuja, will soon be expanded to other parts of the country.
“This registration will soon be mandatory for all booksellers,” Asein said. “We hope to have this fully in place by the start of next year, so that by the next book season, every printer, publisher, and bookseller will meet the new requirements.”
Digital Registration and Anti-Piracy Measures
The NCC is also making the registration process easier by offering an online platform for booksellers. Along with this, the commission plans to introduce anti-piracy measures, including holograms that will be placed on books to help identify legitimate copies and prevent counterfeiting.
“We will start with a voluntary approach, but soon certain books will require the mandatory use of holograms,” Asein explained. “Publishers will either receive holograms from us or use approved holograms to protect their work.”
The NCC will keep track of these holograms to ensure they’re used properly, helping copyright officers in the fight against piracy.
A Strong Message Against Piracy
Asein also urged those involved in piracy to stop, stressing the negative impact it has on creativity and the economy.
“Piracy kills creativity. Many authors have stopped writing because of pirates stealing their work,” he said. “It hurts not only the authors but also the people who invest in the industry, and it weakens the economy.”
He called on everyone to join the effort to protect intellectual property and ensure that Nigeria’s creative economy can grow.
“The time to act against piracy is now. If we want a healthy creative economy, we must protect the work of our authors and publishers,” Asein concluded.
Through these new measures, the NCC aims to restore trust in the book industry and make sure authors and publishers are rewarded for their hard work.
