NCC Cracks Down On Piracy: Seizes N300m Worth Of Counterfeit Books

NCC Cracks Down On Piracy: Seizes N300m Worth Of Counterfeit Books....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated three shipping containers holding 3,000 cartons of pirated books, estimated to be worth over N300 million in the market. Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the commission, revealed this in a press release shared with the media on Sunday in Abuja.

These containers were intercepted at Onne Port in Rivers State, through a collaborative effort between the NCC and its enforcement partners – the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Dr. Asein specified that the copyright of these pirated books belongs to prominent Nigerian publishers such as Africana First, Bounty Press, Evans, Learn Africa, Macmillan, Metropolitan, and University Press Plc.

He highlighted the shift in piracy trends, noting that while previously, the primary concern was locally produced books due to their inferior quality, there’s now a surge in the importation of pirated books from Asia. These pirated copies often rival the originals in quality.

The Director-General expressed concern over the audacity of these pirates, who, as agents of foreign printers, actively seek business opportunities in Nigeria. They sometimes use illicit networks to share lists of pirated stock with potential customers, and even manipulate documentation to deceive enforcement agencies.

Dr. Asein emphasized the exploitation of zero-duty policies on books by pirates, coupled with false declarations by unscrupulous importers to evade duty or facilitate smuggling.

To combat this menace without hindering the government’s business policies, the Commission is collaborating with Customs to implement an online pre-import certification scheme to curb the influx of illicit book imports and other copyright infringements.

He urged importers, clearing agents, booksellers, and warehouse owners to conduct thorough due diligence when engaging in book transactions and ensure proper documentation at all times.

The Director-General warned that the Commission would hold anyone found with pirated books accountable, presuming them to be complicit in piracy, whether as primary perpetrators or secondary accomplices.

With the support of partner agencies and cooperation from right owners, the NCC vows to intensify its enforcement efforts against copyright piracy.

Dr. Asein expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s strengthened Copyright statute, which imposes harsher penalties for criminal infringements, including provisions to seal premises, pursue proceeds of crimes, and deal with suspected materials summarily.

He also noted the enhanced powers granted to the Nigeria Customs Service under the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, empowering them to detain, arrest, and seize materials infringing the Copyright Act.

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