War Against Piracy: Film makers Call For Stiffer Penalties Against Defaulters

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Film/Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), have called on relevant authorities to adopt stiffer penalties against pirates in the country, saying that Nollywood is worth over 5.1 billion dollars and makes up to five per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Chairman of Onitsha branch of the association, Mr. Emeka Igwemba, who made the call recently at Onitsha, Anambra State during an official opening ceremony of the newly completed branch secretariat, located inside Onitsha Electronics Market, lamented that World Bank data has a proof that for each legitimate copy of Nigerian home movie sold; nine others are pirated (90 percent piracy).

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The group recommended an upward of 15 to 20 years of imprisonment without option of fine against such offenders to deter others, adding that although the relevant sections of the law concerning piracy has lacuna and loopholes which enables offenders to escape punishments, there is a dire need to give teeth to those relevant sections.

They also solicited government assistance in providing grants, film village and logistics, saying that these would further boost the country’s revenue generation and create more employment opportunities.

They also identified video rental outlets, showing of movies on various national and international television stations without the consent and approval of the producers as some other characteristics which are at the forefront of pirating Nigerian home movies.

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They therefore urged the government to as a matter of necessity, fortify laws that will protect intellectual properties in the country, particularly Nigerian movies which according to them, has a revenue generating venture that also creates employment opportunities for millions of people in the country.

Anambra State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Uchenna Okafor, who represented Governor Willie Obiano at the occasion, assured the association that the state would remain the safest in terms of security of lives and properties which he said would in turn, guard the members against the bandits while shooting their movies at any time of the day or night

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