By Chris Onuoha

Intellectual and creative property with right of protection has been on discourse over time. Original works of some people have also been in dire jeopardy, orchestrated by pirates who are reaping where they did not cultivate. This omen has remained a challenge as to ask how much of this infringements on owners’ rights are been tackled while the perpetrators blossoms.

Barr. Chris Nkwocha

As the bugging issues rages on, the Nollywood Study Centre, School of Media Communication, Pan Atlantic University in conjunction with Nigerian Copyrights Commission, in a bid to create awareness towards sensitizing the public about copyright laws, have organized yet another forum at Hotel De Island, Victoria Island, in line with the series of their monthly meetings, discussing piracy, counterfeiting and copyright laws in the country.

The Zonal Manager, Nigerian Copyrights Commission, (NCC) Lagos, Barrister Chris Nkwocha was the guest speaker in a fully packed forum that witnessed the premiere of a short film by CNARIO Joseph called ‘Paranoia’. The film however, was symbolic in the discourse as the guest speaker drew relevant points from it to buttress his presentation titled: “Fighting piracy through the protection of copyrights in Nollywood”.

The message in the short film which exposes a man’s vague intuition of himself went further to explore the feel of inadequacy in man’s perception of life.

Speaking on the right of ownership, Chris elaborated, mentioning that CNARIO Joseph sought copyright order from the original owner who consented and allowed the story to be reproduced in film, a clear indication that a gentleman’s agreement in business was observed. Chris said, “Copyright is the exclusive right of an owner to control his work. He has the right to talk of reproduction, distribution and circulation but with some exceptions in the area of educational purposes; research, teaching and learning.

He expatiated on the need for right owner to know what the law say about his job, what to do when his work is infringed upon and how to go about doing what. He mentioned that Source Identification Code (SID) is one significant marker that proves an originality of work with which unauthorized duplication can be ascertained. Also, Collective Management Organization (CMO) is a relevant body comprising COSON for music and AVRS for films created by the commission to oversee the collection of royalties from music and film users and pay same to the actual owners.

Speaking further on the roles of Nigerian communications commission, NCC, Chris said, “The body has a paramount duty to execute any crucial infringements and also claim damages accrued to right owner.” While summing up his points to four, said, “Owner’s right is unaligned, frantic effort by owner to notify NCC is important and being a registered member with the commission is a guarantee to intervention.

When owner’s right is infringed, no sentiment should be observed and formal complain to the commission and relevant authority like police should be made to ascertain prompt action. Nigeria as a signatory of International Copyright Organization comprising 184 countries also has the right to protect international works in the country.”