NCC to intensify fight against book piracy in Anambra

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Anambra State Command, has pledged to intensify efforts to combat book piracy and protect the state's publishing industry.

The State Commandant, Mr Peter Edokobi, gave the assurance on Wednesday during a working visit to the headquarters of Noble Resources Ltd., a publishing outfit in Onitsha.

Edokobi, who led the commission’s delegation, said the Anambra Command would deploy all available resources to reduce piracy to the barest minimum within its area of jurisdiction, which spans Anambra and Delta states.

He urged business owners, distributors and members of the public to support the commission by complying with copyright laws and reporting suspected cases of piracy.

“The fight against piracy cannot be left to the commission alone.

“We need the cooperation of everyone, particularly those in the creative and business sectors to achieve meaningful results,” he said.

Edokobi also assured stakeholders that the command would sustain its engagement with businesses and other relevant organisations to promote awareness of copyright laws.

He expressed satisfaction with the company’s production facilities after touring its various operational sections.

The Managing Director of Noble Resources Ltd., Mr Patrick Amaukwu, commended the commission for its efforts to revive the publishing industry.

He said the publishing industry was being undermined by book pirates.

Amaukwu said the industry appreciated the recent leadership change in the Anambra Command, adding that the commission’s interventions are important to the survival of publishing businesses.

He also commended the commission's Director-General, Dr John Asein, for his vision and commitment to building a sustainable publishing industry in the country.

“We appreciate the efforts of the commission, particularly in trying to resuscitate the publishing business, which is being overrun by the activities of pirates,” he said.

Amaukwu pledged the company’s full cooperation to the commission.

He promised to work with other stakeholders to ensure effective intelligence gathering and timely information sharing to support enforcement activities.

He said the company, which has branches across the country, employed workers across 44 categories and operated modern production machinery.

The managing director, however, expressed concern over what he described as excessive taxation by the state government and the activities of book pirates, saying it was affecting the industry’s growth and profitability.