FAAN, NCC Sign MOU to Arrest Sale of Copyright Piracy Materials at Airports
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to arrest the sale of pirated copyright materials at the nation’s airports and environs.
The Director-General of NCC, Dr. John O. Asein while speaking at the signing ceremony which took place in Abuja recently, expressed appreciation to FAAN for supporting the Commission’s fight against copyright piracy.
Asein bemoaned that a good number of books and DVDs on display at the nation’s airports were pirated, adding that apart from the injury to right owners, the display of pirated materials was tarnishing the image of Nigeria in the sight of airport users.
Responding, Captain Hamisu Yadudu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, restated his agency’s commitment to ensuring that all activities around the airports were legal.
Captain Yadudu said “the aviation industry does not tolerate or encourage fraudulent activities but ensures that standards are maintained, in line with acceptable practices and regulations.”
The FAAN Boss, therefore, warned all airport users including passengers, handlers, concessionaires and shop operators to always ensure that their operations do not jeopardise the interests of other persons.
He hinted that the protection of arts, culture and works in the entire creative industry “is a worthy course which is in line with international aviation protocols”.
He commended the NCC’s proposal for operatives of the two agencies to engage in covert operations, surveillance and compliance checks on sales outlets.
The provisions of the MOU cover joint enforcement to curb copyright infringements; training; intelligence sharing and arrest of persons dealing in infringing materials at the airports and environs.
Officials of both agencies in attendance at the signing ceremony include: Director, Operations, NCC, Mr. Obi Ezeilo; Director, Legal, NCC, Mr. Emeka Ogbonna; Legal Adviser, FAAN, Mrs. Bridget Gold and Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze.
