As NCC destroys N6.5b seized pirated materialsTO ensure that the sanctions imposed on pirates serve as a deterrent, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Afam Ezekude have said that the NCC laws would be reviewed in line with realities of the current operational environment, geared towards eradicating piracy with emphasis on making it unprofitable.They spoke in Lagos last week at the burning of seized pirated works worth N6.5billion by NCC. The exercise was carried out at the Waste Disposal Site of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in Epe.Pirated works destroyed, which were a cumulated pirated works seized from factories, shops and markets included CDs, DVDs, textbooks and dictionaries. The DG and the representative of the minister supervised the burning of the confiscated materials.The minister, who was represented by the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs. Anne Akwiwu, said that because government is aware that piracy constitutes one of the major challenges of making creativity a worthwhile venture, it is determined to ensure that piracy is brought down to the barest minimum, by reviewing the sanctions to make them more prohibitive and emphasize the element of deterrence.Adoke stated that the business of piracy should be made unprofitable in order to give room for the growth of the legitimate industries. He also believed that creativity must be rewarded, while theft should attract the deserved punishment.On his part, NCC boss, Afam Ezekude, stated that the public burning of huge consignments of impounded pirated products was a demonstration of the commission's commitment to zero tolerance policy on piracy. He added that the exercise was an evidence of the commission's increased enforcement interventions aimed at reduction of piracy and promotion of a higher level of compliance to the basic tenets of copyright.'We did not stop at raids; we also ensured that significant numbers of culprits arrested were prosecuted. Within the last quarter of 2011 alone, the Commission secured three strategic convictions from some of the cases.' he stated, adding, 'A lot of the cases are at various stages of trial and we are hopeful that their outcomes will also be positive.'The Director-General warned those in the illegal industry of piracy that it would no longer be business as usual but assured stakeholders that the clampdown on the business of pirates would henceforth be a regular exercise.According to him, the Commission would explore other measures of curtailing piracy including the review of the current regulatory schemes and introduction of new schemes.The Justice Minister, who commended the commission's proactive antipiracy interventions, informed that government was currently working on the review of the Copyright Act to bring it in tune with the realities of the current operational environment. He indicated that sanctions provided for under the Act would be reviewed to make them more stringent. He called on stakeholders to partner actively with the Commission in tackling the menace of piracy with a view to repositioning the creative sector for greater performance in line with government's transformation agenda.'In the last three quarter of 2011, the commission secured conviction in three of the cases it prosecuted. The combined effect of such efforts, along with other initiatives, like the destruction of pirated works as it is being carried out today, would certainly send the warning signal to those who are bent on continuing in these nefarious activities, that the day of reckoning is here,' Adoke said.The Minister remarked that it was in appreciation of contributions of the creative industries to gainful youth employment, positive national image and rapid socio-economic development that President Jonathan's administration directed the establishment of the entertainment intervention fund to encourage more investment in the copyright sector.Also, the Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, praised the commission, as the action shows the signal of what the intent is. He also said that government must make concerted efforts to protect copyright and ensure that pirates are dealt with severely because oil will end while intellectual property is where the future of the country lies.The public burning of pirated goods was witnessed by public and private sector based stakeholders, including the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Superintendent ofPolice, Adegoke Atilade of Area 'C' Police Command, Surulere, Lagos; representative of Director-General, National Human Rights Commission, Mrs Ifeoma Nwakama, Deputy Director, Strategy; representative of National Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Dennis Nwosu, Deputy Director, Enforcement.Others included representative of Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ms Halima Alwau Kalm, CMF1 Team Leader; representative of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Mr. Odetunde Adedayo, Head, Lagos Zonal Office; representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. L. J. Polsam; representative of Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Mrs Idy Imiyoho, Deputy Director, Lagos Zonal Office.
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