The legal framework
The Copyright Act 2022 repealed and replaced the 1988 Act. It extended the term for literary, musical and artistic works to the author's life plus seventy years, introduced statutory notice-and-takedown and blocking mechanisms, strengthened remedies against digital infringement, and clarified exceptions for education, libraries and people with disabilities.
Key points
| Statute | Copyright Act 2022, replacing the 1988 Act |
|---|---|
| Term | Life plus 70 years for literary, musical and artistic works |
| Takedown | Statutory notice-and-takedown procedure introduced |
| Blocking | The Commission can direct blocking of infringing online services |
| Commission | Nigerian Copyright Commission, with enforcement powers |
| Exceptions | Education, libraries, archives and accessible formats |
| Blocking orders | The Commission can direct online services to disable access |
| Notification | Voluntary registration through the Commission is used as evidence |
| Collective management | Approved societies for music and reprography |
In practice
- Assume everything you find online is protected: absence of a copyright notice means nothing.
- Look for an explicit licence — Creative Commons, a stock licence, a written permission — and keep a copy of it.
- Credit alone is not a defence: attribution does not replace permission.
- For anything commercial, get permission in writing and keep it for as long as you use the work.
- Use the statutory takedown procedure: it is faster than court proceedings.
Recent changes
The Copyright Act 2022 is the most significant overhaul of Nigerian copyright law in over thirty years.
Where to go
- Nigerian Copyright Commission.
- COSON and MCSN for music rights.
- Federal High Court for infringement.
Worth knowing
The 2022 Act applies to acts committed after it came into force; older disputes are still judged under the 1988 Act, including its shorter term. The 2022 Act applies only to acts after it came into force. Older disputes remain under the 1988 Act, including its shorter term.
Official sources and links
- Nigeria.gov.ng — official government portal