Copyright commission seizes N1.22bn pirated software, broadcast gadgets

A total of 1,289,344 units of suspected pirated literary,
musical, software and broadcast gadgets valued at N1.22bn belonging
to different copyrights holders were confiscated in the first two
quarters of the year, the Nigerian Copyright Commission said.

The Director-General of the NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, said this in
a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on
Sunday.

Ezekude said the seizures carried out after 80 surveillances and
26 antipiracy operations saw to the arrest of 48 suspected pirates
from across the country.

He also disclosed that three shipping containers stacked with
suspected pirated books, CDs, VCDs and DVDs valued at N275m were
seized during a Nigerian Customs Service and NCC joint inspection
exercise earlier in the year.

The NCC boss said within the period under review, the commission
secured two convictions against film and book pirates at the
Federal High Court, Lagos; instituted five fresh cases against
copyright infringers in different Federal High Court Jurisdiction
across the country; and recorded different levels of progress in
the prosecution of suits across the country.

According to Ezekude, the impounded items represent income that
would have been lost by legitimate rights owners and taxable income
revenue that would have been lost by the Federal Government.

He gave assurances that commission was committed to delivering
on its mandate, adding that it had intensified its inspection and
monitoring exercise in copyright piracy endemic outlets across the
country.

A total of 1,289,344 units of suspected pirated literary,
musical, software and broadcast gadgets valued at N1.22bn belonging
to different copyrights holders were confiscated in the first two
quarters of the year, the Nigerian Copyright Commission
said.

The Director-General of the NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, said this in
a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on
Sunday.

Ezekude said the seizures carried out after 80 surveillances and
26 antipiracy operations saw to the arrest of 48 suspected pirates
from across the country.

He also disclosed that three shipping containers stacked with
suspected pirated books, CDs, VCDs and DVDs valued at N275m were
seized during a Nigerian Customs Service and NCC joint inspection
exercise earlier in the year.

The NCC boss said within the period under review, the commission
secured two convictions against film and book pirates at the
Federal High Court, Lagos; instituted five fresh cases against
copyright infringers in different Federal High Court Jurisdiction
across the country; and recorded different levels of progress in
the prosecution of suits across the country.

According to Ezekude, the impounded items represent income that
would have been lost by legitimate rights owners and taxable income
revenue that would have been lost by the Federal Government.

He gave assurances that commission was committed to delivering
on its mandate, adding that it had intensified its inspection and
monitoring exercise in copyright piracy endemic outlets across the
country.