Via the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) website, Afro Leo learns of an important meeting to occur in Lagos on 9th October. That’s in just a few weeks! The meeting is to discuss the new Levy on goods that can be used for infringing copyright. Full details on the meeting are below.
The Nigerian Copyright Act authorizes the Minister of Justice to implement a levy on material capable of being used to infringe copyright. (Section 40.) Levy amounts are to be published in the official government Gazette. The current Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has published new Levy information [pdf] that explains who pays the levy, when the levy must be paid, how levy funds are distributed and what materials or organizations are exempt from the levy. Afro Leo notes that the Levy is dated 2012 so either this Little Leo or the NCC is a bit behind, perhaps both.
There is also a schedule outlining levy amounts. Generally, digital storage media is 3%, paper is 2%. Digital-duplicating devices are 2% and paper-duplicating devices are 1%. Collected funds are distributed 40% to programs within the NCC and 60% to approved collecting societies. Considering the history of conflict in Nigeria over approvals for collecting societies, Afro Leo wonders if the Levy will spawn more clashes.
When: Wed. 9th October 2013 at 10am
Where: Manufacturers Association of Nigeria House, No. 77 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
More info: http://copyright.gov.ng/index.php/public-notice
1 comments:
Write commentsAurelia, well, we all hope it doesn't; but that's a very high one :-). Pleased to learn that the NCC is briefing stakeholders on its implementation.
ReplySee my commentary last December on this matter here http://afro-ip.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/nigeria-to-impose-copyright-levies-on.html.