IPLAN ,Copyright Commission seek virile,effective copyright system for Nigeria
Andrew Orolua, Abuja
The Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) has offered to partner with Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) for development of the copyright system in the country.
President of IPLAN , Mr. Femi Olubanwo, stated this during a consultative meeting with the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. John Asein, at the Commission’s Headquarters Abuja.
Mr. Olubanwo was accompanied by Ms Tolu Olaleye, representing IPLAN Vice President and Mr. Otu Ukeyen, IPLAN General Secretary, at the meeting which was a follow-up to theRoundtable on a recent Supreme Court judgement on the right of action of copyright lawyers and officials of the Commission, held recently in Lagos.
The IPLAN President underscored the need for early passage of the draft copyright bill to bring the Copyright Act in line with Nigeria’s treaty obligations and to address emerging copyright issues.
He called for the development and adoption of an Intellectual Property (IP) policy for Nigeria, stressing that the policy was long overdue in the country.
Mr. Olubanwo gave assurance that IPLAN would support the Commission’s initiative on continuing education of judicial officers on IP matters in Nigeria.
Director-General NCC, Mr. Asein, agreed with IPLAN on the need for all major stakeholders to participate in the formulation of an IP policy for Nigeria. Meantime, he urged relevant agencies to ensure that they deliver on their mandates as spelt out in existing statutes and policy documents.
He indicated that the Commission would continue to create awareness among major stakeholder groups on the relevance of IP to national economic development and urged them to take more interest in the early passage of the draft copyright bill when it comes before the National Assembly.
The Director-General said the Commission, in line with Federal Government policy, would promote and secure the buy-in of critical stakeholders for the ease of doing business, particularly in the creative sector.
He stated that the Commission would partner with IPLAN and other interested stakeholders to sustain the continuing education of judges on IP matters, adding that it would explore the cost-effective window of Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) for copyright disputes.
