COPY RIGHT ACT | Policy.ng

An Act modernizes Nigeria’s copyright law to protect creators and regulate digital content. It covers traditional works, including literary, musical, and audiovisual materials. The law balances creator rights with public access and aligns Nigeria with global standards.

What Is This Policy?

The Copyright Act 2022 is Nigeria’s modern copyright law, designed to protect creators, regulate digital content, and strengthen enforcement, while ensuring compliance with global intellectual property standards.

Who Does It Target?

It primarily targets creators by protecting their works, but it also regulates users, institutions, and enforcement agencies to balance rights and responsibilities in Nigeria’s copyright system.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

The act aims to protect creators, balance public access, align Nigeria with international standards, and strengthen enforcement in both traditional and digital environments.

Key Features

Expanded Scope of Protection: Covers traditional works (literary, musical, artistic, audiovisual, sound recordings, broadcasts). It extends protection to digital and online content, including streaming and internet distribution. Digital Environment Provisions: Introduces takedown notices for infringing online content. It defines responsibilities of service providers (ISPs, platforms) in preventing copyright violations.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: full implementation stage Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Authors, musicians, filmmakers, artists, broadcasters, content creators and software developers. Funding: The NCC is financed through the federal budget.

How to Access

For official legal reference, use WIPO Lex. For easy download and study, use LawGlobal Hub. For enforcement and compliance guidance, consult the NCC website.

Important Terms

Term 1- Objectives (Section 1) Protect the rights of authors to ensure just rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts and also provide limitations and exceptions to guarantee public access to creative works (e.g., for education, research, fair use). Term 2- Technological Protection Measures (TPMs) Criminalizes circumvention of digital safeguards such as Digital Rights Management (DRM) and encryption. Aligns Nigeria with global standards for protecting digital works

Official Resources

Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) – Headquarters Website: www.copyright.gov.ng Address: Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, Annex II, Ground Floor, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama District, P.M.B. 406, Garki, Abuja (FCT), Nigeria. Telephone: (+234) 803 500 1495 Direct Line (NCeRS Desk): (+234) 81 8341 3611 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Link to the document- Link to document

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works; TRIPS Agreement (WTO); WIPO Copyright Treaty; Trade Marks Act