The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for urgent adoption of advanced digital protection tools, including encryption, blockchain technology, digital watermarking, and cloud security, as Nollywood battles an escalating wave of online piracy fuelled by the rise of streaming platforms.

The call was made during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers and media strategists to examine how content ownership and copyright enforcement are being reshaped by the digital age.

Lynda Alphaeus, Director and Head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified its efforts to combat piracy across digital channels and is upgrading its operations to meet emerging threats.

According to her, Nigeria’s new Copyright Act was deliberately updated to strengthen creators’ rights amid the explosion of online distribution.

“NCC has worked, and is still working tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework to cope with digital distribution challenges. We now have the power to block networks publishing illegal content, and we have already blocked seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian works,” Alphaeus said.

She revealed that the Commission has established a special taskforce known as the STOP Unit to coordinate anti-piracy operations online, alongside new awareness campaigns targeting local markets and schools to educate content creators and the public on copyright obligations.

Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take ownership of their digital safety by deploying available technological protections to safeguard their intellectual property.

She explained that tools such as encryption help prevent unauthorised copying, blockchain technology offers immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking allows creators to trace illegal uploads, while cloud security and regular offline backups protect creative files before they reach the market.

While noting that copyright in Nigeria does not legally require registration, she stressed that registering one’s work strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions that can be vital in enforcement.

“Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to invest in copyright knowledge as part of their business strategy.

Other speakers at the webinar reinforced the urgency of protecting Nollywood’s digital assets.

Film director James Omokwe noted that while streaming platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for visibility and monetisation, they have also opened new vectors for intellectual property theft and unauthorised redistribution.

Media strategist Solafunmi Laelle added that audience data, which streaming platforms rely heavily on, will increasingly determine leverage and value in film licensing negotiations.

According to her, creators who lose control of their intellectual property, whether through piracy or unfavourable contracts, also lose access to valuable data that could shape their long-term earnings.

Entertainment lawyer Nky Ofeimun emphasised the need for creators to understand the contractual implications of ownership, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights.

She noted that many filmmakers still underestimate how quickly digital copies can be illegally duplicated or uploaded once control is lost.

The panelists agreed that as Nollywood deepens its digital footprint, piracy will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.

They stressed that the industry must respond with equally sophisticated tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved education around copyright.

The webinar concluded with a shared message: content may be king, but protection is its armour. (THISDAY)

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