The Ondo State government is taking a firm stance against book piracy in public and private schools in the state, as schools are set to resume for a new academic session.

The state commissioner for education, science and technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, made this known during a courtesy call by the state’s coordinator for the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to his office on Thursday in Akure.

M Ajibefun stated that fighting the circulation of pirated works was top priority for his leadership in the ministry.

“Book piracy is a serious offence; it does a lot of harm to the authors, who invest significant efforts, funds, and energy into creating their work, while those who contribute nothing reap the benefits, “ he said.

The commissioner, therefore, warned public and private schools in the state, including the bookshops selling pirated works, to fully desist as the government had brought up strategies to combat the menace.

Mr Ajibefun said that the state would work together with the NCC and security agencies to move round schools and carry out immense raid on piracy.

“As we sanitise the education sector in the state, we should also address the issue of book piracy. We will come up with strategies to combat this menace in our state as soon as possible,” he said.

He advised schools, parents and booksellers to always purchase their books from authentic publishers to avoid any embarrassment.

Earlier, the South-West coordinator for NCC, Oluropo Oke, described copyright as an exclusive right, granted to an author, artist, writer, musician, photographer and architect by law to exploit and authorise the exploitation of their work

Ms Oke explained that the NCC was empowered by law to enter, inspect and examine buildings, premises and  schools, once it suspects infringement activities.

“The commission has commenced its inspection in the state to schools and anywhere they suspect works, where copyright works are being distributed and sold, ”she said.

She sought for the collaboration of the ministry to warn schools perpetrating the act to desist from the crime, as any school found wanting would be held criminally liable in accordance with the provision of the Copyright Act.

Ms Oke advised all proprietors of schools, principals and head teachers to ensure that books supplied for use by the students and pupils are legitimate copies sourced from the publishers or authorised dealers of such books

She called on parents, guardians and the general public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of piracy or distribution of pirated works to the commission or the nearest police station.

(NAN)