NCC reforms book supply chain to curb piracy

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), says it is taking steps towards reforming the book supply chain in order to curb piracy.

The Director-General, Dr John Asein, said at a stakeholders meeting in Uyo on Monday that the commission would create a database for printers and book sellers in the state.

Asein said that the move aimed to regulate the activities of printers, sellers and warehouse owners in order to restore sanity in the book supply chain.

The NCC D-G further said that the policy was informed by the gaps identified in the sales, warehousing and publication of books in the state.

“We will not only regulate, we shall also provide minimum documentation for printers, book sellers, and owners of warehouses for proper identification and confidence building,” he said.

Asein said that some schools were deeply involved in the sale of pirated books to students, instead of purchasing from authorised sellers.

He stated that any school found selling pirated books would be made to face the the copyright law.

The NCC helmsman urged school authorities to patronise authorised book sellers in order to avoid circulating pirated copies.

Mr Udeme Uwatt, the Chairman, Book Sellers Association, Akwa Ibom Chapter, commended the commission for the proposed reforms.

Uwatt urged the commission to fasten the reform process in order to restore sanity in the book distribution chain in Akwa Ibom