The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Arewa Film Makers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN) have resolved to collaborate for the development of the film industry in northern Nigeria for economic viability.
The agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by a delegation of AFMAN led by its chairman, Mr. Ahmed Kaka to the director general of NCC, Mr. John Asein, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja
The partnership entails harnessing creative talents and developing conducive business environment for the film industry as a viable source of employment.
Speaking during the meeting, Asein said the Commission would intensify enforcement measures to check the piracy of Hausa films in Nigeria and Hausa-speaking regions across Africa.
He assured that the NCC would also address the issues of rights management as well as public enlightenment and education to promote a viable business framework and effective distribution of Hausa films.
He urged AFMAN to furnish the commission with vital intelligence on the activities of suspected pirates.
“We will do everything to provide you with a conducive legal and administrative environment to grow your business, hence the need to work together in crafting appropriate solutions,” Asein added.
He said AFMAN and Hausa film makers are indispensable components of the Nigerian creative industry which have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy.
The director general urged the stakeholders to forge a united front, noting that pirates exploit the division among rights owners to perpetuate evil.
“It will be good for the northern film groups to have a unified body that will represent your interest and speak with one voice,” he added.
Besides, Asein urged the film makers to upgrade the technical content of their movies to meet international standard as well as adopt licensing schemes to check illegal downloads of their films.
He also said NCC was disposed to brokering discussions between the film makers and copyright infringers like unauthorised downloaders, “to structure a business plan that would allow all sides to maximise the benefits of the copyright system.”
Earlier in his speech, Kaka had disclosed that all the associations of film makers in northern Nigeria had agreed to come under the umbrella of Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) and AFMAN.
He said AFMAN, in appreciation of the efforts of the Commission towards sanitising the film industry, was seeking for areas of partnership to boost its anti-piracy drive in order to protect the intellectual property of their members.
He listed their major challenges to include rampant activities of illegal down-loaders, voice-over translators and inadequate knowledge of players in the industry.
He stressed that the association was committed to work with the Commission to address the challenges.
He added that Hausa film makers were willing to dialogue with illegal downloaders and others infringing their copyrights to ensure the emergence of a mutually beneficial legal and business environment for a win-win outcome.
