Nigeria turns to WIPO to modernize copyright registration system

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has begun discussions with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over adopting its digital administration technology, in a move aimed at improving registration efficiency and strengthening copyright ownership records.

Nigeria is exploring a digital overhaul of its copyright registration system through a proposed collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), with the aim of improving administrative efficiency and providing more reliable records of copyright ownership.

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has opened discussions with WIPO over the potential adoption of its Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS) and other digital transformation tools to modernize the country’s copyright registration infrastructure.

The NCC’s Director-General, Dr. John O. Asein, disclosed the development while receiving a WIPO mission led by Hisham Fayed, Head of Global Delivery and Support of Automation Services, in Abuja. According to Asein, the proposed transformation is intended to improve service delivery, strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s copyright database and make registration more efficient for creators and rights holders.

He said streamlined application and processing procedures, supported by a reliable and verifiable database, could improve the credibility of registration records, reduce ownership disputes and provide a useful reference for courts and district registries. Asein also emphasized the importance of aligning the reform with the objectives of Nigeria’s Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), particularly its focus on improving administrative efficiency, facilitating business operations and increasing revenue generation.

The Commission also intends to make copyright registration more attractive through appropriate incentives, with Asein identifying a seamless and efficient process that reduces the administrative burden on applicants as a key priority.

WIPO explores copyright-specific technology

Fayed explained that WIPO’s Intellectual Property Office Business Solutions Division provides automation services and technological solutions to intellectual property offices across its member states. He noted that WIPO had expanded its automation technology beyond industrial property administration over the past two decades to accommodate copyright services.

The latest version of IPAS, known as the Generic Registry, was specifically developed to address copyright administration requirements. It can manage different types of bibliographic information and media formats, including literary and musical works, and can also support other creative sectors, such as traditional cultural expressions.

According to Fayed, the proposed digital transformation could reduce processing times, improve staff productivity, increase the accuracy and quality of administrative services, and make registration more convenient for applicants. He described the engagement as a rapid response to the NCC’s request for technical assistance, highlighting Nigeria’s significant creative industries as an important consideration in developing effective digital administration solutions.

Technical assessment to determine next steps

The four-day WIPO mission, which began on November 9, includes institutional engagements, technical assessments of Nigeria’s existing registration infrastructure, and consultations with stakeholders to evaluate user experiences and identify gaps in service delivery.

The exercise will also examine the suitability of IPAS for copyright administration in Nigeria, with the intention of identifying areas for technical cooperation and developing a practical implementation roadmap. The discussions do not yet amount to a confirmed adoption of the technology. The outcome of the assessment will help determine which digital solutions are appropriate and how any implementation could proceed.

For Nigeria’s creative industries, the proposed modernization could have implications for musicians, filmmakers, writers, publishers and other copyright owners seeking more accessible and dependable records of their work. Importantly, copyright protection in Nigeria does not depend on registration. Under the Copyright Act 2022, protection arises automatically when an eligible original work is created. The NCC operates a voluntary registration scheme through its Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System (NCeRS), which provides an independent record of a work and its claimed ownership.

The Commission explains that its registration acknowledgment certificate can provide prima facie evidence of the facts recorded, while the database offers a source of information for prospective licensees and others seeking to verify details of copyright works.

A more efficient and reliable registration infrastructure could therefore strengthen the practical value of the system for rights holders, businesses and other parties seeking to establish ownership information. The proposed collaboration highlights the growing importance of effective digital infrastructure in copyright administration and the role of international cooperation in supporting intellectual property systems across Africa.

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