By Zainab Olufunmi
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Kano Office, in collaboration with the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), has conducted a copyright monitoring and inspection exercise on selected bookshops within Kano metropolis.
The operation, which took place along Church Road in the Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government, was aimed at curbing book piracy and protecting the intellectual property rights of authors, publishers and other stakeholders in the creative industry.
Speaking after the exercise, the State Coordinator of the NCC, Mr. Sani Ahmad, said the inspection was part of the Commission’s continuous efforts to ensure compliance with copyright laws and to rid the market of pirated books.
He said the team visited several bookshops to verify the authenticity of the books on sale and to educate traders on the dangers of dealing in counterfeit publications.
Ahmad urged parents, schools and the general public to patronize only genuine and licensed books, especially for academic use, and to report suspected cases of piracy to the nearest NCC office.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to eradicating piracy and promoting respect for intellectual property rights in the state.
“The fight against piracy is a collective responsibility. We will continue to work closely with authors, publishers, booksellers, printers, school owners and law enforcement agencies to ensure a fair and sustainable copyright environment,” he said.
Ahmad added that the Commission would intensify its enforcement and sensitization campaigns to sanitize the book market and safeguard the creative economy.
For further information, the NCC Kano Office is located at the Ministry of Information Building, Audu Bako Secretariat, Zaria Road, Kano, or can be contacted via email at kanooffice@copyright.gov.ng and info@copyright.gov.ng.
