- NCC said piracy deprives authors, musicians, and innovators of income, leading to circulation of substandard creative and educational materials.
- Asein stressed that the 2022 Copyright Act punishes offenders, making sellers and buyers of pirated works liable upon conviction.
The director general of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, John Asein, has warned that piracy is crippling Nigeria’s creative economy.
Asein stated this on Tuesday at a sensitisation programme on the Copyright Act for teachers in Osun.
He was represented by the commission’s Ibadan state coordinator, Oluropo Oke.
Asein said piracy fuels the circulation of inferior products and denies creators the benefits of their labour.
He explained that the unauthorised reproduction of books, music, films, digital works and educational materials robs authors and artists of their reward.
The NCC boss noted that the Copyright Act 2022 offers legal protection for intellectual property and prescribes punishment for offenders.
According to him, anyone caught selling or purchasing pirated works risks fines, jail terms, or both.
“Piracy is the unauthorised duplication or exhibition of original works for commercial gain without the consent of the right holder,” he said.
He added that no one should be allowed to exploit another person’s intellectual labour without approval.
“It is crucial to understand that the fight against piracy is not the sole responsibility of the Nigerian Copyright Commission or law enforcement agencies alone,” Asein said.
“It is a collective duty that begins with awareness and personal commitment. As teachers, you have a unique and powerful influence over the next generation.
“Your role goes beyond classroom instruction; you are custodians of intellectual integrity and models for the respect of ideas, innovations, and creative works.
“By modelling respect for intellectual property and teaching students to value originality, you instil values that will shape a society where creativity is protected, rewarded, and sustained.
“Piracy may seem like a ‘quick fix’ for access to materials, but its long-term effects are deeply damaging. It discourages authors, publishers, and innovators, erodes the quality of educational resources, and weakens the creative economy.”
He assured that the NCC would continue its enforcement operations to eliminate piracy across the country.