The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested the proprietors of four private schools in Rivers State in connection with alleged book piracy.

The Director of NCC, Port Harcourt Directorate, Abdul Babatunde, disclosed this to newsmen shortly after an anti-piracy operation at the GRA, Rumuibekwe; Rumukurusi and East-West Road axis in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Babatunde said the suspected pirated books worth N2.5 million were confiscated by the commission during the operation.

He stated that the raid was carried out to curtail the illicit activities of school proprietors, as it affected the book trade.

“The school proprietors, whose schools were visited, are currently undergoing investigation and would be charged to court if the commission is able to establish a prima facie evidence against them,” he said.

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Babatunde noted that there would be no safe haven for dealers of pirated books within the jurisdiction under his watch.

The NCC director said it was part of the commission’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other investors in the copyright ecosystem.

According to him, the NCC Director-General, Dr John Asien, has zero tolerance for piracy and violation of copyright laws.

Babatunde, therefore, warned school proprietors, booksellers, printers, and importers of pirated books to desist from the criminal act.

He also advised the public against patronising pirates, saying it was a criminal offence to do so.

He further appealed to the public to assist the NCC with credible information that could help it deal with the menace.

The Star