ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The dawn of information age and the advancement of technology in the reproduction of information and intellectual goods created a favourable tool for piracy; copying and selling of another�s intellectual works have become easy and less expensive; copyright theft; production of fake, sub-standard and unlicensed products are on the increase. This research examines the enforcement of intellectual property in Nigeria. It discusses the legal and institutional mechanisms available for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria. It also examines the challenges and limitations affecting these mechanisms in the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria. The study shows that Nigeria currently has a legal regime in place to ensure the protection of intellectual property. The research identifies a number of challenges militating against the enforcement of intellectual property rights, which includes technological advancement, inadequacies of laws and modern skills of personnel, slow judicial process, corruption, poverty, high rate of illiteracy, and inefficiency of regulatory bodies. Therefore, the research recommends, that Intellectual Property Laws should be reviewed in line with the technological development of the country. Stiffer penalties should be introduced in our intellectual property rights laws. Proper enlightenment should be done in respect of this area of law through advertisement in the media, seminars, symposium, workshops, and conferences, to sensitize the public on intellectual property law.

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urn:uuid:cb4bf245-3dc5-436f-b67c-b2c361483931