The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reaffirmed their joint commitment to tackling online piracy in the creative sector.
During a courtesy visit to NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Director-General of the Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, emphasised the need for continued inter-agency collaboration to combat piracy and safeguard Nigeria’s creative industries.
Asein, represented by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike, commended the NCC’s leadership in advancing the country’s digital transformation and creating a safer online space for creative content.
He, therefore, stressed the need for deeper collaboration between the two agencies in the fight against copyright piracy to enhance the growth of the creative economy.
“Online piracy poses a significant threat and undermines the efforts of authors and investors.
“We, therefore, want to secure our online environment and guarantee Nigeria’s digital future,” he said.
Asein emphasised that the collaboration would address both international and local concerns over rising online piracy.
“The collaboration will help develop and implement appropriate regulatory measures for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other intermediaries.
“It will also ensure compliance with the Copyright Act, 2022; and support government policies on growing the creative economy,’’ he said.
He decried the disruptive impact of online piracy on the creative economy, adding that it undermined the efforts of content creators and investors.
Asein observed that the increasing role of ISPs and intermediaries in content dissemination made it imperative to clearly define their obligations under the Copyright Act 2022.
Also Read: NCC Develops Comprehensive Cybersecurity Framework to Strengthen Telecom Sector
He highlighted the Draft Copyright Enforcement Guidelines for ISPs and Intermediaries, developed by the commission and sought the support of the NCC in operationalising the document.
“Curbing the online piracy again underscores the need for ISPs and other intermediaries to be more proactive and act responsibly as part of the proposed collaboration,” he said.
The copyright commission boss recommended the establishment of an inter-agency task force to tackle online copyright piracy. He also proposed the creation of a multi-stakeholder forum comprising ISPs, regulators and enforcement agencies to protect copyrights.
He noted that the initiative should include the formulation of a Code of Practice for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), with clearly defined responsibilities and accountability mechanisms.
In response, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mrs Rimini Makama, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, commended the Copyright Commission for its ongoing efforts to shut down illegal websites and digital platforms in order to curb online infringements.
Maida welcomed the call for stronger collaboration, stressing the urgency of tackling online piracy in the creative sector.
He also underscored the importance of promptly signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations to strengthen their partnership.
Furthermore, he assured Mr Asein that the NCC would review the draft Copyright Enforcement Guidelines for ISPs and other intermediaries with a view to taking further action.
