26th June, 2014
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on Tuesday said it intercepted and seized pirated cinematography, musical and educational books worth N10 billion from January 2012 to date.
Mr. Chris Nkwocha, the NCC Zonal Manager, Lagos Operational Office, disclosed in Lagos.
Nkwocha explained that other seizures include home movies, literary, inspirational and educational books.
He said that over 17 container-loads of pirated books and other confiscated merchandise had been seized between January 2012 and June 2014.
The NCC boss said that the containers were intercepted and seized at Bollere Logistics West African Terminal, Kirikiri, Lagos and AP Moller Terminal, Apapa Area Customs Command, Lagos.
He said that over five container-loads of pirated books and musical were seized in 2012; and about eight container-loads were seized in 2013, while four container-loads were confiscated between January and June 13.
“Over 17 containers of pirated cinematography, musical, movies, and inspirational books have been seized in the last two years.
“The containers were loaded with over 300,000 copies of pirated materials in 50,000 cartons.
“Some of the materials are best-selling American titles: ‘Daughter of Destiny’ by Kathryn Kuhlman, ‘Me and My Big Mouth’ by Joyce Meyer and ‘The Midas Touch’ by Kenneth Hagin.
“Others are ‘Mysterious Secrets of the Dark Kingdom’ by J.P Timmons, and copies of Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, which originated from China and bible titles belonging to Bible Society of Nigeria.
“The seizures were done in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Services, State Security Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Media and the Nigeria Police,” Nkwocha said.
He said that the commission would continue to fight piracy in line with the Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.