Nigerian Copyright Commission Takes Action to Combat Piracy in Kano
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has intensified its efforts to combat piracy by urging bookshop operators in Kano to comply with copyright laws. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect intellectual property and ensure the legal distribution of books within the state.
During a recent copyright monitoring and inspection exercise, conducted on selected bookshops in the Sabon Gari area of Kano, the NCC aimed to address concerns about the sale of pirated textbooks. The operation took place on Wednesday and involved a team of copyright officers alongside representatives from the Nigerian Publishers Association, Kano chapter.
The NCC, which is the federal agency responsible for administering, enforcing, and regulating copyright law in Nigeria, was established under Section 34 of the Copyright Act, Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as amended. It operates under the Federal Ministry of Justice and serves as the primary government body for copyright administration and enforcement in the country. The commission has zonal offices across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with its headquarters located in Abuja.
Inspection Focuses on Compliance and Quality Assurance
The acting State Coordinator of the NCC, Sani Ahmed, highlighted that the inspection focused on bookshops along Church Road in Fagge Local Government Area. The goal was to ensure compliance with copyright laws and curb the sale and distribution of pirated textbooks within Kano City.
Ahmed stated that the team visited approximately 15 bookshops, examining displayed books and invoices from publishers to verify their originality and legitimate sourcing. “We conducted checks in about 15 bookshops, examining displayed books and invoices from publishers to verify originality and legitimate sourcing,” he said.
However, the inspection revealed several irregularities, including textbooks found without proper invoices. Ahmed noted that all the books and invoices reviewed during the inspection will undergo further screening by the Commission. “All invoices and books were checked, and the commission will analyse the findings and determine the next course of action after screening the inspected items,” he explained.
Challenges Faced by Bookshop Operators
Beyond the issue of piracy, book dealers also raised concerns about challenges affecting their businesses. According to Ahmed, several booksellers complained about difficulties in sourcing books from publishing companies. They alleged that many publishers prefer to sell directly to schools rather than through bookshops, leading to supply chain disruptions.
“Booksellers complained that many publishing companies are not selling books to them, preferring to dump their books directly in schools. They also alleged that publishers do not respect orders or supply books on time, but prioritise sales to schools,” Ahmed said.
To address these issues, he advised bookshop operators to strengthen their internal organization. “Booksellers were advised to form a strong committee or union to engage with the leadership of the publishers to address their grievances and resolve the issues they are facing,” he added.
Industry Perspectives and Calls for Government Intervention
Mr Peter Chukwokuba, Managing Director of Pesco Bookshop Company and Chairman of the Table Dealer Association, described the NCC’s visit as “a welcome development.” He emphasized that the industry had long awaited such engagement, noting that bookshops are losing customers as private schools have taken over the supply chain by selling books directly to parents.
“Our major challenge is that schools now sell books themselves, taking over what traditionally belongs to bookshops. Customers hardly come to us because they go straight to the schools. We feel helpless and hope the government will intervene,” Chukwokuba said.
Despite these challenges, he stressed that book dealers do not support piracy and regularly encourage members to buy directly from publishing houses to avoid legal issues.
Commitment to Combating Piracy
In response, Ahmed reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to tackling piracy and protecting the rights of authors, publishers, printers, and booksellers. “The Commission remains committed to eradicating piracy and safeguarding the rights of authors, publishers and other stakeholders,” he said.
He added that the anti-piracy inspection would be extended to more book clusters across the state in the coming weeks.