ABIA STATE GOVT, NCC, BOOK SELLERS SIGN MOU TO TACKLE PIRACY

REPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

Abia State Government and the Nigeria Copyright Commission and Ariaria Booksellers Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on ways to tackle book piracy.

The Nigeria Copyright Commission is the agency responsible for all copyright matters in the country including the administration, regulation, enforcement and prosecution under the Copyright Act.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Umuahia, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Investment, Abia State, Chief Michael Egwu, noted that one of the purposes of signing the MoU was to sanitize the book industry as well as to tackle piracy in the industry, which, according to him, has been rearing its ugly head in the sector.

Chief Egwu commended the commission on it’s efforts in the fight towards checkmating book piracy in the country.

The Director General, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, said that the commission was committed towards bringing santity to the creative industry, especially in the book sector.

He warned that the commission would sanction any proprietor of school found selling or distributing any pirated material in the country.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman booksellers Association, Ariaria International Market Aba. Mr. Uchenna Echeta and the Chairman Nigeria Publishers Association, Mr Lawrence Aladesuyi, expressed delight bÿ the signing of the MoU, describing it as a step in the right direction.

They promised to assist the commission in the fight against book piracy.