FG Presents Executive Bill On Copyright To National Assembly

The Copyright (Repeal) Bill, as approved by the Federal
Executive Council, has been transmitted to the National Assembly
for enactment into law.

The Federal Executive Council, at its meeting of 13 June 2018
(Ref. EC 2018) had considered and approved the draft Bill presented
to it by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The new Bill, which aims to overhaul the copyright system in
Nigeria, would, among other things, strengthen the enforcement
mechanism against copyright violations through stiffer penal
sanctions and more effective procedures better suited to the
digital environment. It also addresses the country’s outstanding
obligations under the relevant copyright treaties.

The cardinal objectives of the Bill are to: (a) protect the
rights of authors to ensure just rewards and recognition for their
intellectual efforts; (b) provide appropriate limitations and
exceptions to guarantee access to creative works; (c) facilitate
Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant
international copyright treaties; and (d) enhance the capacity of
the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) for effective regulation,
administration and enforcement.

Following the launch of a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s
copyright system in 2012 and based on clearly defined national
aspirations, a first Draft Copyright Bill, in line with global
standards, was released to the public in February 2015. Based on
the comments from stakeholders and the public, the draft was
extensively revised by a team of national experts before it was
presented to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and
approval.

The new Bill, which is the product of years of extensive
consultation with local and international stakeholders, industry
practitioners, right owner associations, experts in copyright and
other interested persons, would be the first major overhaul of the
nation’s copyright system in over three decades.

Some of the new issues addressed in the Bill include the right
of remuneration for some categories of copyright owners, special
exceptions for blind, visually impaired and print disabled persons,
provision against circumvention of technological protection
measures, rights management information, an elaborate enforcement
mechanism for online infringement, and stiffer sanctions for
criminal infringements of copyright.

In view of the recent resolution of the House of Representatives
on the need to strengthen the NCC to live up to its expectations
and mandates, the Commission is hopeful that the Bill will receive
favourable attention.

The Commission appeals to all stakeholders and partners to
support the process.

The Copyright (Repeal) Bill, as approved by the Federal
Executive Council, has been transmitted to the National Assembly
for enactment into law.

The Federal Executive Council, at its meeting of 13 June 2018
(Ref. EC 2018) had considered and approved the draft Bill presented
to it by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The new Bill, which aims to overhaul the copyright system in
Nigeria, would, among other things, strengthen the enforcement
mechanism against copyright violations through stiffer penal
sanctions and more effective procedures better suited to the
digital environment. It also addresses the country’s outstanding
obligations under the relevant copyright treaties.

The cardinal objectives of the Bill are to: (a) protect the
rights of authors to ensure just rewards and recognition for their
intellectual efforts; (b) provide appropriate limitations and
exceptions to guarantee access to creative works; (c) facilitate
Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant
international copyright treaties; and (d) enhance the capacity of
the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) for effective regulation,
administration and enforcement.

Following the launch of a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s
copyright system in 2012 and based on clearly defined national
aspirations, a first Draft Copyright Bill, in line with global
standards, was released to the public in February 2015. Based on
the comments from stakeholders and the public, the draft was
extensively revised by a team of national experts before it was
presented to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and
approval.

The new Bill, which is the product of years of extensive
consultation with local and international stakeholders, industry
practitioners, right owner associations, experts in copyright and
other interested persons, would be the first major overhaul of the
nation’s copyright system in over three decades.

Some of the new issues addressed in the Bill include the right
of remuneration for some categories of copyright owners, special
exceptions for blind, visually impaired and print disabled persons,
provision against circumvention of technological protection
measures, rights management information, an elaborate enforcement
mechanism for online infringement, and stiffer sanctions for
criminal infringements of copyright.

In view of the recent resolution of the House of Representatives
on the need to strengthen the NCC to live up to its expectations
and mandates, the Commission is hopeful that the Bill will receive
favourable attention.

The Commission appeals to all stakeholders and partners to
support the process.