The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has stepped up its fight against online piracy, announcing the blocking of seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian content. The Commission is also urging Nollywood stakeholders to adopt advanced digital protection measures, including encryption, blockchain, digital watermarking, and cloud security, as the industry increasingly shifts to streaming platforms.
The call came during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers, and media strategists to discuss the evolving landscape of content ownership in the digital era.
Lynda Alphaeus, Director and Head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified anti-piracy operations and is upgrading its capabilities to meet new digital threats. She highlighted that Nigeria’s updated Copyright Act was designed to strengthen creators’ rights amid the surge in online content distribution.
“NCC has worked tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework for the challenges of digital distribution. We now have the power to block networks distributing illegal content, and seven sites have already been taken down,” Alphaeus stated.
She added that a dedicated taskforce, the STOP Unit, has been established to coordinate online anti-piracy operations, alongside awareness campaigns aimed at educating local markets and schools on copyright obligations.
Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take proactive steps to protect their digital works, recommending technological tools such as encryption to prevent unauthorized copying, blockchain for immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking to trace illegal uploads, and cloud security with offline backups to safeguard creative files.
While copyright registration is not legally required in Nigeria, she emphasized that registering works strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions in enforcement. “Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to integrate copyright knowledge into their business strategies.
Panelists at the webinar echoed the importance of securing Nollywood’s digital assets. Film director James Omokwe noted that while streaming platforms have created opportunities for visibility and monetization, they have also exposed content to piracy and unauthorized redistribution.
Media strategist Solafunmi Laelle added that audience data from streaming platforms increasingly determines a film’s licensing value. Creators who lose control of their intellectual property risk losing access to data that could influence long-term earnings.
Entertainment lawyer Nky Ofeimun highlighted the need for filmmakers to understand contracts, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights, warning that digital copies can be duplicated or shared illegally within moments.
The panel concluded that as Nollywood expands its digital presence, piracy will continue to evolve. The industry must respond with sophisticated protection tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved copyright education.
The shared message was clear: while content remains king, its protection is the ultimate safeguard.
