The Nigerian Copyright Commission has called for the legal use of software applications in engineering, construction, and building design to boost the critical sectors of the nation’s economy.

NCC director-general John Asein made the call during a sensitisation session on legal use of software in engineering, construction, and building design sectors in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was organised by the NCC, in collaboration with World View (Autodesk).

“In today’s technology-driven environment, software applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and Navisworks have become indispensable tools for designing, structural analysis, and Building Information Modelling,” said Mr Asein.

According to him, through these technologies, professionals are able to innovate, design, and draw with more precision. Mr. Asein, however, said that in most cases, many other technology-aided creative fields posed challenges due to the use of pirated, unauthorised, or non-compliant software packages.

“I must say upfront that while these sharp practices have legal implications and undermine professionalism, they may also expose your clients to other hazards.

“It is a common misconception that resorting to pirated or unlicensed software is a cost-saving strategy, but experience has shown that adherence to licensing agreements is far cheaper and safer in the long term.

“Unauthorised use can attract significant legal costs through lawsuits, fines, and settlements that can far outweigh the cost of legitimate licences. Projects that rely on pirated software also face heightened risks of data corruption, design errors, and cybersecurity breaches, due to a lack of regular updates or security patches,” Mr Asein explained.

The NCC boss said he was  aware of the reputational issues and firms that failed to comply with licensing requirements.

He added that such might miss out on opportunities to bid for international projects, as their profile might not meet due diligence requirements.

According to him, compliance is therefore not merely a legal obligation, but an investment in operational safety, project integrity, and long-term profitability.

He said the copyright system was designed to strike a balance between the rights of creators and innovators, much like the case of software developers and users of their products.

(NAN)