Nollywood producers have partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to combat digital piracy. The initiative aims to protect intellectual property rights and ensure fair earnings for content creators.
At a high-level stakeholder meeting in Abuja, the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP) backed a WIPO-supported project to disrupt online piracy. Nigeria is one of four African countries chosen for this flagship initiative.
“By addressing technical and legal gaps, and equipping stakeholders with tools to disrupt piracy, we are safeguarding the future of the creative industry,” said Dr John O. Asein, Director-General of the NCC.
The project will focus on legislative reform, enforcement training, and public education. Nollywood and other creative sectors have suffered huge financial losses due to widespread piracy.
Industry Leaders Speak on the Initiative
Dr Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to defending intellectual property rights.
“This initiative reflects WIPO’s deepening collaboration with Africa and our resolve to uphold the rights of creators in the digital age,” Moody stated.
AMP President Amb. Dr Queen Blessing Ebigieson praised the effort as a game-changer for Nollywood producers.
“This project will give us the tools and partnerships we need to fight back,” she said. She stressed the need for independent and grassroots filmmakers to benefit from the program, not just major studios.
Technical Insights and Enforcement Strategies
The event featured presentations on project design by Dr Tobias Bednarz of WIPO, a briefing on piracy in Nigeria by IP expert Michael Akpan, and a session on digital enforcement strategies led by Dr Ioannis Kikkis.
With telecom operators, enforcement agencies, legal practitioners, and industry guilds actively involved, the initiative signals a united front against piracy.
Stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s digital creativity must be matched with strong copyright protection to ensure content creators earn the full value of their work.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
