Nigerian Copyright Commission

04/09/2026

💡 COPYRIGHT MYTH vs FACT

A Weekly Copyright Awareness Series
By the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)

❌ MYTH

“If a film is banned, it no longer has copyright, so I can copy it, upload it or distribute it.”

✅ COPYRIGHT FACT

A ban does not, by itself, extinguish copyright.

A film may be prohibited or restricted from public exhibition because of film classification, regulatory requirements or other applicable laws. But that restriction does not automatically terminate the copyright in the film or place it in the public domain.

Under the Copyright Act, 2022, audiovisual works may enjoy copyright protection. Copyright governs rights in the creative work, while other laws and regulations may determine whether, where or how that work may be exhibited, distributed, broadcast or otherwise exploited.

In other words, two things can be true at the same time:

🎬 The film may still enjoy copyright protection.

🚫 Its public exhibition or distribution may be legally restricted.

So, you cannot say:

😂 “Since they banned it, I can download it and put it on my platform.”

No. A restriction on exhibition is not a free licence to copy, upload or distribute the work.

At the same time, copyright ownership does not give a creator the right to disregard other applicable laws or regulatory requirements.

📝 QUICK TAKEAWAYS

🚫 Banned does not mean copyright-free.

🎬 Copyright protection and regulatory permission to exhibit are different questions.

📤 Do not assume you can copy, upload or distribute a restricted film simply because it has been banned.

⚖️ Creators, distributors and users should understand both copyright and other laws that may apply to the use of a work.

💡 Know the restriction. Know your rights. Know the law.

REMEMBER:

A ban may stop a film from being shown.
It does not automatically make the film yours. 😄

📞 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is here to provide copyright information, counselling and advisory services.

🌐 Website: copyright.gov.ng
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Anti-Piracy Hotline: 0901 900 3200
🖥 E-Registration: eregistration.copyright.gov.ng

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📢 Join us next week for another edition of Copyright Myth vs Fact as we continue to debunk common misconceptions, share practical copyright knowledge, and empower creators and users to understand, protect and respect creativity.

03/09/2026

If your work is online, can AI use it without asking? 🤖

That question is at the centre of a major copyright debate making news this week.

On September 2, 2026, the U.S. government filed a brief supporting OpenAI in its copyright dispute with The New York Times. The government argued that using copyrighted material to train AI models can generally qualify as fair use, pointing to the potential benefits of AI for innovation and economic development. (Reuters)

But The New York Times and other creators and publishers disagree. Their concern is simple: if AI companies can use large amounts of creative work without permission or payment, what happens to the people whose work helped build these systems? (Reuters)

And this is where the conversation gets interesting.

Imagine spending years writing articles, producing music, taking photographs, creating illustrations or making videos. Then your work becomes available online and is used as part of a technology that can generate new content.

Does being publicly accessible mean it is automatically free to use?

Not necessarily.

The legal answer can depend on the country, the circumstances of the use, and the rights involved. The U.S. “fair use” debate is still being tested in court; it should not simply be treated as a universal rule for every country. (Reuters)

What this developing case shows is that copyright is entering a new conversation.

As technology learns from creative work, how do we make sure creativity continues to be valued and protected?

That is a conversation creators, technology companies, policymakers and the public cannot afford to ignore.

If you discover websites, apps, IPTV services, Telegram channels, or social media platforms distributing copyrighted works without authorization, report them to the Special Taskforce Against Online Piracy (S.T.O.P).

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 S.T.O.P Hotline (WhatsApp Only): 0813-7459-027

📝 Report Online Piracy: https://bit.ly/STOPpiracyreport

📢 Follow the S.T.O.P Information Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7m1L61t90l50uaQN2m

🌐 S.T.O.P Information Centre: https://linktr.ee/STOPPIRACY

Protect Creativity. Protect Rights. Protect Revenue.

02/09/2026

Digital Responsibility Starts With Us 🌐

Every click, download, repost and share is a choice. Being digitally responsible means choosing legitimate platforms, respecting intellectual property, seeking permission when necessary and thinking before sharing someone else’s work.

When we make responsible choices online, we help protect creators, support the creative industry and build a digital community where creativity is valued.

Do the right thing. Respect the work behind the content you enjoy.

If you discover websites, IPTV services, Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, social media accounts, mobile apps, or any online platform distributing copyrighted works without authorization, report them to the Special Taskforce Against Online Piracy (S.T.O.P).

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 S.T.O.P Hotline (WhatsApp Only): 0813-7459-027

📝 Report Online Piracy: https://bit.ly/STOPpiracyreport⁠

📢 Follow the S.T.O.P Information Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7m1L61t90l50uaQN2m⁠

🌐 S.T.O.P Information Centre:
https://linktr.ee/STOPPIRACY⁠

Protect Creativity. Protect Rights. Protect Revenue.

01/09/2026

HOW MUCH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE? 🚴🏽‍♂️

At first glance, it is a cycling race.

Look closer, and you will find an entire collection of intellectual property assets.

The Tour de France name and branding carry trademark value.

The yellow jersey and other distinctive race symbols have commercial value.

The race footage, photographs, commentary, graphics and promotional videos are protected creative works.

The bicycles, equipment and technical innovations involve patents, designs and engineering know-how.

The official jerseys, merchandise and souvenirs carry trademarks and design rights.

The route maps, digital platforms, apps and race graphics also contain intellectual property.

Then there are sponsorships and licensing deals, where companies pay for the right to associate their brands with one of the world's most recognised sporting events.

So, the Tour de France is not only about cyclists competing for the yellow jersey.

It is also an intellectual property ecosystem.

This is the lesson for Nigerian creators and businesses:

Look beyond the physical product.

Look beyond the performance.

Look beyond the event.

There could be valuable intellectual property sitting inside what you create.

Your music.

Your film.

Your photograph.

Your logo.

Your designs.

Your software.

Your brand.

Your creative idea.

Know what you own.

Protect what you create.

Build value around your intellectual property.

Protect Creativity. Protect Rights. Protect Revenue.

Report online piracy or suspected copyright infringement to S.T.O.P.

📧 [email protected]

📱 S.T.O.P Hotline (WhatsApp Only): 0813-7459-027

📝 Report Online Piracy: https://linktr.ee/STOPPIRACY

Video Credit - WiPO/Tiktok.com

01/09/2026

Happy New Month of September!

To our creators, rights holders, creative industry partners, platforms, service providers, investigators, enforcement partners, and every stakeholder working with us to protect Nigeria’s creative economy, S.T.O.P. appreciates you.

Every day, creative works move across websites, social media platforms, streaming services, messaging channels and digital marketplaces.

With every new month comes a new set of challenges.

Piracy does not take a holiday. Neither does the responsibility to protect creativity.

This September, we renew our commitment to proactive monitoring, stakeholder engagement, public awareness and enforcement against online piracy.

Our work is stronger because of the information, cooperation and support we receive from stakeholders across the ecosystem.

To everyone who reports infringement, shares intelligence, responds to compliance notices, protects creative works and helps us spread the message, thank you.

Let September be another month of stronger collaboration, faster action and greater protection for Nigerian creativity.

Together, we protect the people behind the content.

Together, we protect the assets behind the creativity.

Together, we strengthen the creative economy.

Happy New Month from S.T.O.P.

Protect Creativity. Protect Rights. Protect Revenue.

Report online piracy or suspected copyright infringement:

📧 [email protected]

📱 S.T.O.P Hotline (WhatsApp Only): 0813-7459-027

📝 Report Online Piracy: https://linktr.ee/STOPPIRACY

📢 Follow the S.T.O.P Information Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7m1L61t90l50uaQN2m

01/09/2026

THE CREATORS

Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe popularly called Waje is a renowned Nigerian singer and songwriter born on September 1, 1980.
‎Waje's music career took off in 2007 while she was still in university. She gained recognition after featuring on P-Square's hit song "Do Me" in 2008. ‎

This great music talent has released several successful albums and songs including: W.A.J.E (2013), Red Velvet (2018), Heart Season (EP) (2021), Somewhere,2008, 2.0 (2022), ‎Unbroken(2022), The Misfit(2022),Heart Season (EP) (2021), Same Human Different Beast (EP) (2024) among others.

‎ Waje’s significant impact has won her many awards and recognitions. Some of these include:
‎Best Female Vocalist at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards
‎Best African Act at the Deafa Afro-Europe Entertainment Awards
‎Best Reggae/Dance Hall at the Headies Awards

Waje remains one of the best young music talents whose powerful voice and emotional delivery have earned her a loyal fan base and critical acclaim making her a standout in the Nigerian music industry.

The Management and Staff of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) celebrate this great copyright Icon and wish her greater heights.

01/09/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/OqEo1nPt8Ig?si=dC_1GslYIu6_cFjb*Join Us Live!*

Another exciting episode of
*COPYRIGHT CONNECTS*
Today at *10:15 AM*

Don’t miss it!

COPYRIGHT CONNECT 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2026

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

🔔 *TOMORROW ON COPYRIGHT CONNECT!*

Who owns the content you see online? And what happens when someone uses yours without permission?

Join us for Episode 10 as we explore:

COPYRIGHT IN THE DIGITAL SPACE:
Social Media Content, Content Development & Enforcement in the Digital Space.

📻 Oxygen FM 96.9
📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 10:30 AM

For creators, businesses and every social media user.

Tune in. Know your rights. Protect creativity.

31/08/2026

On saturday, 22nd August 2026, the Commission honoured its former Directors-General and retired Directors during a special send-off to celebrate their years of leadership, sacrifice and contributions that have shaped the Nigeria’s copyright system. The event was themed: Celebrating Our Legends.

Find below video highlights from the event.