Unlike its normal enforcement trips characterised by suspicion, physical duel and, at times, booming of guns, NCC’s visit to Alaba last week was generally peaceful. Yet, it was like a meeting of opposing blocs now – hopefully – trying to see issues from the same perspectives.
From the Director, Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Charles Obi, who represented the Director General, Afam Ezekude, to the Chairman of the Electronic Sellers Association at the market, Chief Celestine Ezeani, and Mr. Joel Ajayi, Chairman, Music Labels Association, all agreed that piracy is a crime. They said it had become a curse to the industry. The extent to which each group is prepared to honestly fight it is what stakeholders are waiting to see.
According to Obi, the NCC is very conscious of the link between copyright protection and national development.
He told the market operators that the illegal exploitation of copyright works was not just a hindrance to owners’ continued productivity, but also a challenge to the well-being of the national economy.
“Piracy steals income from the right owners,” Obi stressed. “Piracy kills creativity. Piracy destroys the fabric of the economy. It damages our national image and pride. Piracy is an infringement of fundamental rights. It encourgages intellectual laziness and sustains other heinous crimes and societal ills. Piracy is a crime against citizens and foreigners alike.”
He added that NCC’s enforcement drive had been paying off – as reflected in the convictions it recently secured. Yet, he urged them to collaborate with it in the struggle, especially by dissuading their members who engage in piracy and by providing the commission with useful information.
While Ajayi lamented that piracy was making a mess of the dreams of many investors in the industry, Ezeani also, interestingly, explained that the negative fame that Alaba was attracting was affecting people who do genuine business there.
He said, “Due to the complaints of people outside, we have been losing customers. I am not saying there is no piracy here. But this is the time all of us want to tackle pirates for the good of all.”
He urged members of the public not to patronise people who sell musical and video materials by the roadside in the market. According to him, it is inside the shops that original works are found.
As a symbol of the new found love against piracy, some piracted CDs and VCds were burnt at the market.
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