In line with its anti-piracy campaign, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), on Thursday destroyed pirated items valued at N1.4 billion in Kaduna state.
Mr Afam Ezekude, Director-General of the Commission, said the items, which included software, books, CDs, DVDs and other pirated materials, were seized during the commission’s enforcement drive in the North-West zone.
“These pirated materials that are publicly burnt today were confiscated in the course of our enforcement campaign in the last four years.
“This is to further demonstrate our commitment to zero tolerance policy on piracy.
“The market value of these items is N1.4 billion; this is what some persons wanted to earn illegally at the expense of the right owners,” Ezekude said.
The D-G noted that public destruction of the items would not only serve as deterrent, it would also prevent them from being sold to unsuspecting Nigerians.
He said that the intention of the commission was to ensure that piracy was no longer a profitable venture in Nigeria.
“The era in which pirates enrich themselves through fake products, thereby undermining the sales and distribution of legitimate products, is over,” he warned.
Ezekude explained that to make its enforcement activities more effective, the commission had articulated an integrated public enlightenment strategy aimed at raising awareness of stakeholders on their roles to combat piracy.
In his remark, ACP Sadiq Gambo, who represented Kaduna State Police Commissioner, said that the police was ready to partner NCC in its fight against piracy.
He advised Nigerians not to patronise pirated products to discourage the activities of pirates.
(NAN)
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