Copyright Law and Intellectual Property Abuses in Nigeria: Impact on Creativity and Academic Output

Abstract

Purpose: To inculcate into the general public the need to reject intellectual property abuses by being law-abiding and by helping to implement copyright laws. Design/Methodology/Approach: A literature-based opinion paper which looks at the copyright system and intellectual property abuses by examining their meanings, causes of abuses, libraries and copyright system, impact of their interplay on creativity and academic output, and recommendations on how to help copyright triumph over abuses. Findings: Proper awareness of copyright implications on the part of copyright owners, abusers, and the public has been noticed to be at the root of intellectual property abuses. Paucity and inadequate training of copyright personnel also exist. Practical Implications: Proper administration of copyright law is the surest way of enhancing intellectual and scholarly growth and development. Public must rise to the challenges imposed by abuses in order to let copyright prevail. Originally/value: Much of the sub-topics were culled from many avid writers in the fields of legal studies, library and information sciences. Key Words: copyright, intellectual properly abuses, property law, reprography.