The Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has warned publishers and booksellers to desist and shun the buying and selling of pirated books in the country.
Dr John Asein, NCC Director-General (DG), gave the warning on Wednesday in Akure while sensitising Ondo and Ekiti booksellers and publishers on copyright laws.
Asein, represented by Mrs Oluropo Oke, State Commandant, NCC, Oyo Command, said it was imperative for publishers, especially booksellers in the state to follow the law which guides the selling and buying of books.
The DG, who said any bookseller infringing on copyright laws or any form of piracy would face the implications accordingly, explained that piracy was killing intellectual works.
According to him, anyone ready to continue in the business should try as much as possible to obey the law.
“If you sell pirated books, you are killing the economy and aside that, you are encouraging production of substandard books.
“Moreover, you are discouraging the authors because the benefits that should go to them are going to the wrong channels.
“So, we don’t want them to sell pirated books, we want them to know that selling originals are the best so that authors can get financial and moral rights of their intellectual efforts.
“It behoves on publishers and book sellers to know that piracy is a criminal offence and activities of buying, selling, distribution, importation, storing and dealing in books need direct copyright from original owners,” he said.
The DG, therefore, urged booksellers to always purchase books from legitimate publishers, authorised distributors or reputable suppliers to avoid being prosecuted or otherwise.
Asein also urged booksellers to reach out to the commission or the publishers in the case of doubts about the source of any book, and warned that copyright violations would face seizure of such books and arrest.
“According to the law, only one copy is enough to face the penalty of N10,000. It also depends on the gravity, the fine may be increased and it is per copy.
“When your shop is visited for inspection, failure to cooperate or when you harass or obstruct the officials is N100,000 fine. Compliance with copyright law is not only a legal obligation, it is also good business practice,” he said.
He, however, said that NCC was available to provide guidance, registration, advisory and enforcement services in furtherance of its mandate.
Asein called on citizens to support legitimate publications, authors, and publishers to promote investment in the Nigerian creative economy and ultimately protect the future of the bookselling professionals.
Also, Mr Idowu Olumuyiwa, President of Ondo State Bookseller Association, appreciated the commission for the enlightenment, saying it would help the members patronise genuine authors.
Olumuyiwa said that those involved in book piracy were not real booksellers, while the exercise would also broaden the knowledge of the members in the state.
“This sensitisation is to enlighten us more about the business and the issue of piracy a lot of us get involved in unknowingly,” he said.
