Posted by From Francis Ugwoke in Enugu on
No fewer than 30 people operating video rental clubs were at the weekend arrested by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in Enugu for alleged violation of copyright.....
No fewer than 30 people operating video rental clubs were at the weekend arrested by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in Enugu for alleged violation of copyright laws in the country.
The commission also shut down 45 video clubs during the raid carried out in major markets and streets in Enugu and Nsukka.
Zonal Manager of the commission, Mr. Emeka Ogbonna, who described the raid as very successful said the commission also impounded about 9,994 video cassettes and other items worth over N10m.
Ogbonna explained that the video outlets were closed down for operating illegally, adding that the operators failed to secure necessary accreditation of the commission.
Some of the suspects, according to him, were using musical works of other persons without permission to make financial gains, adding that this has denied them huge benefits from their hard earned labour.
The raid, he said, was carried out by a team of copyright inspectors and policemen in the state.
Disclosing that the affected suspects would soon be arraigned before the Federal High Court, he expressed dismay over the craze at which Nigerians rip off others who had put in enormous effort and resources to earn a living.
According to him, the raid will continue in all the states, warning that the next target will be Onitsha, Anambra State, and Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
He explained that the raid was part of the plan on strategic action against piracy, initiated by the Director General, Adebambo Adewopo.
Ogbonna advised video opeators to do the right thing or continue to face the wrath of the law, adding, . "we want to ensure that all video club operators comply with the copyright law and regulations on video rentals".