By Taiye Olayemi
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it is able to work with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) to strengthen performers’ rights safety below the Copyright Laws.
Dr John Asein, Director-General of NCC, mentioned this on Wednesday in Lagos through the ongoing NANTAP National Delegates Convention.
The theme for the five-day conference, which can finish on Feb. 22, is “Theatre, Politics and National Development”.
Asein mentioned strengthening the performers’ rights safety was wanted to deal with the challenges confronting totally different classes of performers within the digital age.
He mentioned that some classes of performers weren’t included in the newest copyright safety legislation designed in 2022.
According to him, the fee was not conscious of some exceptions and infringements then.
He mentioned that is the explanation NANTAP’s effort could be required to strengthen the performers’ rights safety.
“There are new areas which might be maturing, and this requires joint motion. The fee will likely be pleased to work with the manager of NANTAP via a technical committee.
“This is to strengthen performers’ rights safety, determine gaps within the worth chain, and tackle them via administrative and legislative actions.
“The workforce may also look into growing methods for copyright schooling and coaching for service suppliers in addition to theatre arts departments in our faculties.
“There is a necessity to deal with rising developments and create authorized frameworks to safeguard performers within the digital age, create a extra constructive function for theatre practitioners inside the copyright ecosystem.
“The team will also look at activating the provisions on the protection of expressions of folklore and work together to ensure the protection and growth of our creative industry,” he mentioned.
Asein recognised the function of theatre practitioners, their contributions to the rise of Nollywood and place within the artistic ecosystem.
He famous that with the rise of latest digital platforms, collaborations, and globalised distribution, the intersection of mental property and performing arts would proceed to evolve, presenting each alternatives and challenges for artistes.
He mentioned that as a part of the decision to motion, the fee would develop the end result of the session right into a publication on “Copyright and Theatre Arts”.
He defined that this might be a tribute to 2 Nigerians who drastically influenced the emergence of performer’s rights in Nigeria.
“These are Dr Sylvester Agbaje-Williams, a theatre enthusiast and key contributor to our modern copyright system; and Chief Hubert Ogunde, the father of Nigerian theatre, who advocated the inclusion of performers’ rights in the Copyright Act in 1988,” he mentioned.
Also, Mrs Lynda Alphaeus, Director, NCC Lagos workplace, mentioned the current copyright legislation might compete favourably with world practises however sadly artistes had did not internalise the content material for his or her use.
Alphaeus suggested the artistes to take their time to learn and perceive the legal guidelines to have the ability to apply it.
She mentioned, “The 2022 Copyright legal guidelines has made provision for the safety of works on the social media house. It permits NCC to arrange dispute decision panels to resolve copyright infringement circumstances.
“The new copyright laws now allows artistes to register their works with NCC to tackle issues of ownership, this will ensure further protection of individuals’ intellectual works.”
Prof. Dorcas Odunaike, Professor of Law, Babcock University, harped on the necessity for Nigerians to be reorientated on each facet of the Copyright legal guidelines.
Earlier, Mr Israel Eboh, National President of NANTAP, mentioned, “This is the time for NANTAP and NCC to work collectively in view of the necessity to create consciousness on the present legal guidelines.
“We have the human sources. You have the technical necessities.
“I think the problem with practitioners has to do with intellectual laziness. It is unfortunate. How much of the laws we know do we apply to the work we do? We need a change,” he mentioned.