NCC, WIPO accomplice to modernise copyright registration system

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to discover the digital transformation of Nigeria’s Copyright Registration System (NCRS).

The initiative, which includes the potential adoption of WIPO’s Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS), is predicted to enhance copyright registration, strengthen database administration, cut back processing time and improve service supply.

In a press launch signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Ijeoma Egbunike, the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja whereas receiving WIPO delegation led by Mr. Hisham Fayed.

Asein stated the proposed digital transformation would align the Commission’s operations with the aims of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), significantly in selling effectivity, bettering the convenience of doing enterprise and boosting income era.

He defined that the system would simplify utility and determination processes, enhance the credibility of copyright registration and cut back possession disputes by way of a dependable and verifiable database.

According to him, the database would additionally function a helpful reference for courts and district registries in resolving copyright-related disputes.

The NCC Director-General famous that Nigeria was among the many first African nations to introduce a copyright notification system, including that the Commission was decided to make its registration course of extra engaging by way of applicable incentives.

He stated, “The biggest incentive is having a seamless and efficient system to reduce the burden on applicants.”

Asein added that the WIPO mission would assess the present registration system, determine its strengths and limitations, and decide how the Commission may benefit from IPAS and different digital transformation instruments.

Speaking, Fayed, Head of Global Delivery and Support of Automation Services at WIPO, described the engagement as a fast response to the Commission’s request for technical help.

He stated WIPO gives automation companies and enterprise options to mental property places of work throughout its member states by way of its Intellectual Property Office Business Solutions Division.

Fayed described Nigeria as an necessary accomplice, citing its place as one in all Africa’s main economies and the energy of its artistic industries.

He defined that WIPO had expanded its automation expertise over the previous twenty years to accommodate copyright administration past its conventional give attention to industrial property.

According to him, the newest model of IPAS, referred to as the Generic Registry, was particularly developed to handle copyright administration wants, together with the administration of various bibliographic data and media codecs comparable to literature and music.

He added that the system may additionally assist different artistic sectors, together with conventional cultural expressions.

Fayed recognized diminished processing time, improved employees productiveness, service high quality, accuracy and buyer satisfaction as main advantages of the proposed digital transformation.

The four-day mission, which started on November 9, 2026 contains institutional engagements, technical assessments of the present registration system and consultations with stakeholders to guage person expertise and determine service supply gaps.

The train is predicted to conclude with the identification of areas for technical cooperation and the event of an implementation roadmap.