PUBLISHING AND COPYRIGHTS ACT ADMINISTRATION IN 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA: HIGHLIGHTS OF ISSUES OF LAW AND PRECAUTIONS

Abstract

The paper explores the concept of publishing and how the profession is shaped to guide against works and rights of individuals as authors, publishers, users, corporate bodies in relation to Nigerian law. The Publishing industry; as a complex interplay of various inter-connected activities involving authors, editors, printers, lithographers, binders, illustrators, and other para-professionals was examined. These individuals collaborate with a collective effort to achieve a cumulative success in the publishing process. Administratively, there are times conflict or confusion arises that could result into litigation involving parties due to copyrights. The paper therefore, examine concept of copyrights as its exercise guided by the administrative law bringing up issues that calls for litigation in case or cases of infringement. Highlight of duties of copyright commission was presented along sides precautions to take in the course of exercising rights to information. The paper concludes that copyright as a form of intellectual property is crucial for the protection of creators' rights, especially in controlling the reproduction or exploitation of their intellectual creations and the primary reason for the need to protect copyrights is economic. Thus, copyright protection is paramount, it's also important to acknowledge that there are exceptions allowing the use of copyrighted works for educational, research, and private development purposes without economic gain as in the case(s) of libraries and allied information centers. This recognition strikes a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering the dissemination of knowledge. The paper therefore, recommends among others: concerted efforts by the Nigerian copyright commission to continuously emphasizing and hammering on getting permission for the use of copyrighted materials; educate authors and publishers alike to avoid errors in terms of language, spellings, illustrations and some sorts that could warrant infringements on the rights of third parties; balancing creators’ rights with public access as well as harmonizing global best practices in administration of intellectual property.