The Nigerian Copyright Commission recently intercepted three cargo containers holding a haul of 3,000 pirated book cartons, estimated to be worth more than ₦300 million in the market.
Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the commission, made this disclosure in a press statement furnished to the Africa Today News, New York, on Sunday.
Asein mentioned that the containers were seized through a joint effort with NCC enforcement allies – the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services – at Onne Port, Rivers State.
The DG disclosed that the copyrights of the pirated books are held by key Nigerian publishing entities, namely Africana First, Bounty Press, Evans, Learn Africa, Macmillan, Metropolitan, and University Press Plc.
“Our main headache used to be with locally printed books which are easy to identify due to their poor production quality.
“But, we have since seen a surge in the importation of pirated books, especially from Asia with good quality, competing with their originals.
“Many of these pirates, who are agents of foreign printers, now have the audacity to come into Nigeria to scout for businesses.
“Sometimes, they share lists of their pirated stock with prospective customers in Nigeria through rogue networks.
“In some cases, the imports are compromised, and the documentation doctored to deceive enforcement agencies,” Asein said.
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The DG said many pirates were taking undue advantage of the zero duty on books, while unscrupulous importers make false declarations, either to evade duty or as cover for smuggling.
He said without undermining the government’s policy on ease of doing business, the NCC was working with Customs to introduce the online pre-import certification scheme, to check illicit imports of books and other copyright materials.
Asein urged importers, clearing agents, booksellers and warehouse owners to carry out due diligence when transacting book business and to always ensure proper documentation.
He said the commission would hold anyone found with copies of pirated books accountable and presumed to be complicit in the crime of piracy, either as primary or secondary suspects.
The DG said that with the support of partner agencies and the cooperation of right owners, the NCC would, more than ever before, step up its enforcement drive to decimate copyright piracy.
“Fortunately, Nigeria now has a stronger copyright statute with stiffer penalties for criminal infringements.
“There are provisions allowing the commission to seal premises, go after the proceeds of crimes and deal with suspected materials summarily.
“I am also pleased to note that the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 now expressly gives the service powers to detain, arrest and seize any materials that infringe the Copyright Act,” he said.