President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, the Copyright (Repeal) Act 2022, which repeals the old Copyright Act, Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and enacts the Copyright Act 2022. This new act provides for the regulation, protection, and administration of copyright in Nigeria.
The enactment of this new Copyright Act demonstrates the commitment of the Buhari administration to re-energize Nigeria’s creative economy and make it more globally competitive in the digital age. The act expands the rights of authors and provides appropriate limitations and exceptions to guarantee access to creative works.
The new law aims to protect the rights of authors and ensure just rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts. It also facilitates Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties and conventions while enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for effective regulation, administration, and enforcement.
The Act also provides for the needs of the blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled persons to have access to learning and reading materials in accessible formats. This is a significant development that will ensure more Nigerians have access to education and knowledge.
The legislation expands the rights of authors, raises the sanctions for criminal infringements, and addresses the challenges posed by the digital and online use of copyrighted works. It also provides explicit protection for audio-visual works in digital content, which means online content including pictures, videos, sound recordings, and other productions can’t be used without the consent of the creators.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new Copyright Act is a significant development that will not only protect the rights of authors but also enhance the creative economy in Nigeria which will go a long way in making Nigeria more globally competitive in the digital age. This is indeed a great leap in the entertainment industry and will foster creative development and protection.
Stay up to date on your entertainment news on Soot Africa.
