COPYRIGHT ACT, 2023

COPYRIGHT ACT, 2023

LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I—OBJECTIVES AND APPLICATION

1.       Objectives of the Act.

2.       Works eligible for copyright.

3.       Ineligibility for copyright.

4.       Formalities. 

5.       Copyright by virtue of nationality or habitual residence.

6.       Copyright by reference to country of origin.

7.       Copyright in works of government, state authorities and international bodies.

8.       Copyright by reference to international agreements.

9.       Nature of copyright in literary and musical works

10.     Nature of copyright in artistic works

11.     Nature of copyright in audiovisual works.

12.     Nature of copyright in sound recordings

13.     Nature of copyright in broadcasts.

14.     Author’s moral rights.

15.     Right to remuneration for broadcasting of sound recordings.

16.     Broadcasting of works incorporated in an audiovisual work.

17.     Right to share in proceeds of sale.

18.     Commencements of rights.

19.     Duration of copyright.

PART II — EXCEPTIONS TO COPYRIGHT

20.     General exceptions

21.     Acts for purposes of instruction or examination

22.     Recording of broadcasts by educational establishments.

23.     Restriction on reprographic copying by educational institutions.

24.     Subsequent dealings with authorized copies.

25.     Special provisions for archives, libraries, museums and galleries.

26.     Special exceptions for blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled persons

27.     Special exceptions in respect of sound recordings of musical works.

PART III — OWNERSHIP, TRANSFERS AND LICENCES

28.     First ownership of copyright.

29.     Ownership of copyright in collective works.

30.     Assignment and licence. Cap. C23, LFN, 2004

31.     Compulsory licence to produce and publish translations.

32.     Compulsory licence to reproduce and publish works for certain purposes

33.     Licence for broadcasting organisations.

34.     Definitions for the purposes of sections 31-33.

35.     Compulsory licence for public interest.

PART IV — COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS

36.     Infringement of copyright.

37.     Action for infringement.

38.     Order for inspection and seizure.

39.     Limitation to the right of action.

40.     Forfeiture of infringing copies.

41.     Infringement actionable as a breach of statutory duty

42.     Admissibility of affidavit evidence

43.     Presumptions.

PART V — COPYRIGHT OFFENCES

44.     Criminal liability.

45.     Aiding and procuring copyright offence.

46.     Offence by bodies corporate.

47.     Simultaneous actions.

PART VI — ANTI-PIRACY AND OTHER MEASURES

48.     Duty to keep records.

49.     Anti-piracy measures.

50.     Circumvention of technological protection measures.

51.     Actions for circumvention of technological protection measures and rights management information.

52.     Actions for circumvention of technological protection measures and rights management information.

53.     Restriction on importation.

53.     Restriction on importation

PART VII — PROVISIONS RELATING TO ONLINE CONTENT

54.     Notice to take down

55.     Take down of infringing content

56.     Procedure for suspension of accounts of repeat infringers

57.     Misrepresentation

58.     Information domiciled in systems or networks at direction of users.

59.     Information location tools

60.     Identification of infringer

61.     Blocking access to online content

62.     Application of this Part.

63.     Right of performers

64.     Protected performances

65.     Presumption of consent

66.     Moral rights of performers

67.     Collective performances

68.     Exceptions to performer’s rights

69.     Transfer of performer’s rights in audio-visual fixations 

70.     Duration of performer’s right

71.     Infringement of performer’s right

72.     Action for infringement of performers’ rights

73.     Criminal liability in respect of infringement of performers’ right

PART IX — EXPRESSIONS OF FOLKLORE

74.     Protection of expressions of folklore

75.     Infringement of expressions of folkore

76.     Criminal Liability in respect of infringement of expressions of folklore 

PART X—ESTABLISHMENT OF NIGERIAN COPYRIGHT COMMISSION AND COPYRIGHT ADMINISTRATION

77.     Establishment of the Nigerian Copyright Commission

78.     Functions and powers of the Commission

79.     Establishment and membership of the Governing Board

81.     Cessation of membership

82.     Removal of the Chairman or any member of the Board of the Commission

83.     Appointment of the Director-General and other staff of the Commission

84.     Removal of the Director-General, Chairman and other members of the Board

85.     Appointment of other staff of the Commission

86.     Copyright Officers

87.     Registration of works

88.     Collective Management Organisation.

89.     Levy on copyright material.

90.     Dispute Resolution Panel

91.     Establishment of fund for the Commission.

92.     Expenditure of the Commission

93.     Annual estimates, accounts and audit

94. Annual Report

95.     Borrowing and investment powers of the Commission

PART XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

96.     Power to accept gifts

97.     Regulations

98.     Application of the Pensions Reform Act.

99. Power of the Minister to give directives

100.   Restriction on execution against property of the Commission

101.   Indemnity

102.   Avoidance of conflict of interest

103. Jurisdiction

104.   Limitation on suit against the Commission

105. Service of documents

106.   Repeals and savings provisions, Cap. I23, LFN, 2004

107.   Transitional provisions

108.   Interpretation

109.   Citation.

SCHEDULE — SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE BOARD

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LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA BY YEARS (MADE BETWEEN 1999-DATE)