The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have impounded two shipping container-loads of 80, 882 pirated educational books, valued at N80 million, belonging to different publishers.
The imported pirated books were intercepted at the Tincan Port in Lagos during a joint operation by the NCS and NCC.
Speaking at a press briefing during the handing over of the confiscated containers at the Lagos Office of the Commission on May 11, 2021, Dr. John Asein, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Council stated: The seizure should send a clear message to importers of pirated copyright materials and other copyright predators on the resolve of Government to fight piracy on all platforms using every available legislative, regulatory, administrative and policy initiatives.
He continued: “I assure publishers and other copyright owners of our commitment to this campaign, I also implore stakeholder groups, particularly those of publishers, printers, and booksellers to join hands with the Commission to guarantee safe corridors for their works.
“We are aware that many pirates are taking undue advantage of the zero duty on books as these unscrupulous importers now make false declarations either to evade duty or as cover for smuggling.
“Without jeopardizing Government’s policy on ease of doing business, it might therefore be a good time to address the call from some stakeholders for 100% inspection of consignments of books and stationeries in order to check their illicit imports of into the country.”
The seized pirated books include: Macmillan’s Champion Primary Mathematics Books 3 and 4, Fully Revised Edition, Pearson’s New General Mathematics for Junior Secondary School Students, Books 2 and 3 by M. F. Macrea; Learn Africa’s New Concept English Book 3 for Junior Secondary School (Fourth Edition); Learn Africa’s New Concept English Books 1 and 3 for Senior Secondary School (Fourth Edition) by J. Eyisi, A. Adekunle, B. Adepoju, F. Ademola, Q. Adams and J. Eto; Learn Africa’s Nigeria Primary English Book 1 (Third Edition); as well as Children’s Bible Stories, The Beginner’s Bible Stories, a publication of Specialty Books, New York.
Dr. John O. Asein disclosed that about 30 years ago, the Management of the Commission (then the Nigerian Copyright Council) conceived the National Anti-Piracy Campaign.
In his words, “It was a campaign that drew support from individual right owners, right owners associations, relevant State authorities, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Customs.
The idea was to harness the collective goodwill, resources and experience of critical stakeholders in tackling what had then been identified as an economic nuisance. Today, the menace of copyright piracy and other abuses have increased significantly into a humongous economic crime and a serious threat to the entire creative industry.”
He added: “It is in light of this that the Nigerian Copyright Commission has, in the last decade, deployed more of its resources to enforcement activities and continues to intensify its anti-piracy operations around piracy hotbeds across the country. This effort has led to the removal of millions of illicit materials –books, software, CDs, DVDs etc. – worth billions of Naira from the channels of commerce, but there is still more ground to conquer.”
The Director-General disclosed further, “Through the combined efforts of NCC and the Nigeria Customs Service, these consignments totaling 80, 882 copies of pirated books belonging to different Nigerian publishers with a market value of over N80 Million, were intercepted at Tincan Port.”
Dr. Asein stated, “Aside from adopting more wholesome business practices, right owners should also embrace proactive business solutions to make it easier for the consuming public and enforcement agencies to identify illicit materials. They should also take advantage of the boarder measure provisions under the Copyright Act and share credible intelligence with the Commission.”
The Director-General reassured right owners, investors and stakeholders across all copyright sectors of Government’s resolve to protect their rights and interest, while promoting congenial business environment to guarantee return on their investments.
“The Commission is committed to strengthening the copyright system for wealth creation, employment generation and ultimately for national economic development as part of a broader Federal Government policy to leverage on the creative and knowledge industry. This is particularly needed in view of the disruptions that have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright piracy remains a real threat to the nation and it must not be allowed to thrive”, he stated.
Speaking during inspection and handing over of the intercepted imported pirated books, the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Port, Mr. B. N. Obiakulusi re-emphasised NCS commitment to the fight against contraband goods, particularly pirated books being imported into the country through the ports.
Mr. Obiakulusi explained, “Before now, people deal in all these books and like the DG said, you could not differentiate between the original and the pirated copies. However, through our collaboration with NCC, we are able to intercept the pirated books.
“I assure you no pirated book will escape our watch. We are working earnestly to make sure we bring all these things to a stop. I commend NCC DG for his efforts at fighting piracy and his staff for their aptness in searching for pirated books”.
