Copyright Law Essential for Safeguarding Creative Works –NCC Director-General

The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, has emphasized the vital role of copyright law in safeguarding the creative works of authors, artists, and innovators in the digital age.

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He made this statement on Wednesday during a sensitization program at Lead British International School, Abuja, where the commission educated students on copyright infringement and its consequences.

The NCC’s awareness initiative aimed to enlighten students on the fundamentals of copyright law, its significance, and its impact on everyday life.

Asein reaffirmed the NCC’s mandate to promote copyright awareness and education across Nigeria, stressing the importance of protecting intellectual property in today’s evolving digital landscape.

“Students are not only consumers of copyright materials, but also potential creators and innovators.

“It is therefore necessary that you understand your rights and responsibilities under the copyright law.

“This programme is aimed to educate you on the basics of copyright law, its importance, and how it impacts your daily lives,” he said.

The director-general commended the management of Lead British International School for allowing its students to be sensitised.

“We believe that education and awareness are key to promoting a culture of respect for intellectual property rights

“Let us work together to promote a culture of creativity, innovation, and respect for intellectual property rights,” he emphasised.

Also speaking, Mrs. Funmilayo Adewale, Director of the Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), stated that the program was designed to educate and raise awareness among young people about copyright laws.

Adewale emphasized the importance of students understanding both their rights and responsibilities in the digital age, as the landscape of content creation and usage has evolved.

She highlighted that in today’s digital era, young people, especially students, must recognize that they cannot simply use others’ works online without permission; they must be responsible in how they engage with copyrighted content.

“You heard them (students), saying that they are taking certain things for granted, things that are against the law. But coming to this place, we are able to sensitise them during this programme,” she said.

The director therefore urged the students to respect people’s creative works as well as authors’ rights.

“You should be careful, responsible and acknowledge people work when used. Using people’s works for research purposes is not a bad idea, but those people need to be acknowledged because they are the owners of the work,” she said.

Mr. Abraham Ogunkanmbi, Head of School at Lead British International School, praised the NCC for organizing the program, which introduced young creative minds to copyright laws.

Represented by Mrs. Eugenia Essell, Deputy Head of School for the Early Years and Primary section, Ogunkanmbi noted that the sensitization initiative helped students understand how to safeguard their intellectual property.

“Even we the adults have learnt that there is a time limit to intellectual property rights.

“It has come to our knowledge that using works by other people without their approval attract penalty. So, it is proper to recognise the people’s works in order not to be charged with plagiarism,” he said.

He appealed to the management of NCC to continue to convey the information to the young ones by going to schools and universities where projects are written.

“You see people writing things without mentioning where they got the information from,’’ he said.

On her part, Miss Khadija Bello, a student, described the programme as a great privilege for students to be enlightened on the copyright laws to avoid violation.

“Knowing how to protect my own creative work from being pirated is good one to me personally.

“This experience has served as a form of encouragement to me, because it has taught me how to be creative and express my ideas without fear,” she said.

 

 

 

 

NAN/Oluchi