NCAC calls for voluntary registration of copyright works

The Copyright Officer at the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has reminded owners of copyright works that it is very important to come and voluntarily register their works to avoid piracy and other forms of stealing their intellectual properties.

Mr. SannaJawara was speaking on Monday during an interview at the NCAC Mango Tree office in Fajara. He cited relevant sections of the 2004 Copyright Act and other legal instruments at both domestic and international level.

“As per Section 56 of the cited Act, a Copyright Officer assigned among other things, to administer and preside over the enforcement of the 2004 Copyright Act and 2018 Copyright Regulations without reservation. The officer is also to monitor and coordinate Gambia’s compliance with its obligation to treaties, conventions and protocols on the protection and promotion of Intellectual Property (IP) laws, especially copyright and related rights,” MrJawara explained.

He indicated that registration forms an integral part of protection and promotion of IP related rights as per Section 49 of the 2004 Copyright Act, and Article 5 of the Berne Convention for Protection of Literary and Artistic Works among other legal provisions to that effect.

He further stated that the purpose of registration is not limited to maintaining a record of work(s) to publicise the right of owner(s) to provide evidence of ownership, or authenticate owner of IP especially copyright and related rights.

He therefore urged all creators of works to voluntarily register their works in line with on-going preparations for an effective and efficient enforcement of the said 2004 Copyright Act and 2018 Copyright Regulations. He said this is further inspired by the Legal Framework on the Establishment of a Regional Voluntary Copyright Registration and Notification System by Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO).

This, as well as Nairobi Strategic Plan for Development of Copyright and Related Rights in Africa, he said, is set to be adopted in 2020.

“The Government of The Gambia, through Ministry of Tourism and Culture, is deeply committed and resolved to promote and protect our creative and cultural industries as contained in National Development Plan. Already, there are on-going engagements at domestic and global level, hence the importance of registering our creative and innovative works which is meant to add value to our lives as humans desirous of becoming what we wanted as per Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (right to self-determination),” Jawara concluded.