Lagos – Some lawyers on Sunday stressed the need for adequate enforcement of intellectual property laws in the country to preserve the creative works of authors.
The lawyers, in separate interviews, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there was the need to take the fight against piracy to a higher level.
One of them, Mr Anthony Makolo, said the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) should ensure the intellectual property of citizens was protected by vigorously applying the laid down sanctions.
“The present copyright laws, if good enough, should be applied to deter those involved in plagiarism.
“Some literary works are often reproduced by some dubious individuals who sell them to the public while their original authors wallow in penury.
“It is important for the NCC to work out modalities to ensure that the intellectual property of an individual is protected from these elements,” he said.
Another lawyer and author, Mr Joshua Agbo, said that if infringements on copyright laws were not curtailed, it would discourage productivity and creativity.
He called for the setting up of an Intellectual Property Commission which would ensure adequate enforcement of copyright law.
Mr Nonso Omenka, another lawyer who also spoke on the matter, recommended that intellectual works be Internet- based to check cases of infringement.
Omenka urged the NCC to check the present laws and strengthen them to encourage creativity. (NAN)
