Navigating The Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System (NCeRS) – Costs And Requirements Included

Discover the seamless process of safeguarding your creative works through the Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System (NCeRS).

This innovative platform empowers creators and copyright holders to register their works online, ensuring legal recognition and protection of their intellectual property rights.

Why Register Your Work?

While copyright protection is automatically granted upon the creation of an original work, registering your creation with NCeRS provides concrete evidence of copyright ownership.

This registration serves as vital proof in legal disputes and facilitates documentation of your work’s creation date and ownership details, enhancing your legal standing and protecting your interests.

Key Features and Benefits

Explore the array of benefits offered by the NCeRS:

1. Global Recognition: Register your creative works from anywhere in the world, ensuring comprehensive protection and global recognition of your intellectual property rights.
2. International Coverage: Benefit from full copyright protection in countries signatory to the Berne Convention and other international agreements endorsed by Nigeria, securing your rights across borders.
3. Accessible Database: Access the searchable NCeRS database to retrieve information related to any copyrighted work conveniently, facilitating research and reference.
4. Flexible Payment Options: Enjoy the convenience of flexible payment methods offered by the Commission, allowing for seamless transactions. Payments can be made in either Nigerian Naira (₦) or US Dollar ($).
5. Efficient Service: Experience prompt and efficient service delivery through the NCeRS platform, with applications processed within sixty (60) days of submission, subject to certain conditions.

Account Setup and Activation

Initiate the registration process by setting up your NCeRS account:

1. Create an Account: Click on the “Create an Account” button and complete the registration form with accurate details, including a valid email address.
2. Activate Your Account: Activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent to your email. Check both your inbox and spam folder for the activation email.
3. Log In and File Application: Once activated, log into your account to file your online Copyright Registration Application seamlessly.

Navigating the NCeRS Dashboard

Upon logging in, access your dashboard to:

• Respond to queries promptly.
• View saved and completed applications.
• Edit saved applications for necessary modifications.
• Access online certificates of approved applications and more.

Completing the Registration Form

Follow these steps to complete the registration form accurately:

1. Register a New Work: Access the “Register a New Work” option on your dashboard to commence the registration process.
2. Complete the Form: Fill out the eleven sections of the registration form thoroughly, ensuring all required fields are accurately completed.
3. Utilise Quick Tips: Make use of the “Quick Tips” provided on the right-hand side of each section for guidance and assistance.

In filing the forms, care should be taken to capture the following details below:

• Type of Work: Select the appropriate category that best describes your work, such as Literary, Musical, Sound Recording, Artistic Works, or Cinematograph Film.
• Title of Work: Provide a title for your work, ensuring it is within 70 characters for ease of processing and capturing in the certificate.
• Medium of Fixation: Tick the appropriate medium in which the work is fixed and presented, such as CD, Paper, VCD, DVD, etc.
• Year of Creation: Indicate the year in which the author completed the work.
• Is Work Published: Specify whether the work has been published, including the year of publication and the country where the publication first took place.
• Bibliographic and Registration Information: Provide relevant identification information, such as ISBN, ISSN, or other cataloging details.
• Certificate Pick-up Location: Choose your preferred location for certificate pick-up from the drop-down menu provided, indicating an NCC office nationwide.

Transfer of Copyright

In cases where the applicant is not the original author/copyright owner but has acquired rights in the work, disclose the particulars of such transfer, including the nature, parties involved, territory covered, and duration.

Work Deposit/ Filing Requirement

Accompany your registration application with a copy of the work sought to be registered. This deposited work forms part of the Commission’s database and may be certified for use as evidence in proving authorship, copyright ownership, and other relevant facts.

Duration of Copyright Protection

The rights granted to the owner of copyright are not perpetual. Unlike an eternal ownership, the duration of copyright protection is finite and subject to specific terms.

For literary, artistic, or musical works, the author retains copyright throughout their lifetime and for an additional 70 years following their death.

In the realm of films, sound recordings, performances, and similar works, copyright protection extends for 50 years from the initial publication date. Once this period elapses, the work enters the public domain, enabling third parties to utilise it freely.

Summary of Costs for Copyright Registration

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of applicable fees for copyright registration services:

Professional Fees

Professional fees range from ₦100,000 to ₦250,000, ensuring expert assistance for your copyright registration needs.

Conclusion

Protecting your creative works is paramount in today’s digital age, and the Nigerian Copyright e-Registration System offers a convenient and efficient solution.

Embrace this opportunity to secure your intellectual property rights with confidence.