WORKS ELIGIBLE FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Copyright Law is one of the intellectual property laws created to encourage and protect creativity of authors expressed in permanent form from being exploited, printed, reprinted, published or caused to be published by unauthorized person(s). Copyright law assists the authors to potentially earn more from their works as they own their copyright. By this, more diverse works could be created by different authors which would invariably boost the economy, social welfare and create varieties of works for consumers' preference. This work shall consider and evaluate works eligible for copyright protection, the qualifications of the work for same to be protected, rights conferred by copyright protection to the owners or authors under the Copyright Act, 2022. The work also adopt doctrinal methodology by considering other legal literatures to that effect. Works eligible for copyright protection which includes literary works, musical works, artistic works, choreographic works, audiovisual works, sound recording, architectural works and broadcast are discussed or considered. Recommendations where necessary like how works of authors can be effectively protected in Nigeria better than the present-day experiences, shall are proffered one of which is the proper sensitization or education on the subject matter and the existence of the copyright available to creative works envisaged by the Copyright Act to the public and particularly the owners or authors of the works.