Some Nigerian universities aid and
abet copyright infringement in the form of photocopying of books and
other intellectual materials, CHUX OHAI writes, with additional report from Success Nwogu
Driving through the University of Lagos
on Monday, our correspondent was struck by the peaceful calm around the
halls of residence, faculty buildings and other key points within the
Akoka campus.
A
few weeks ago, the atmosphere was not this subdued as the students of
the institution struggled through the second semester examinations.
While the exams lasted, the pavements constantly overflowed with crowds
of people moving from their hostels or lecture rooms and the university
library to examination halls.
Yet, most students often found their way
to the pool of photocopiers situated behind the Faculty of Arts Complex
to obtain photocopies of reading materials, including recommended books
that were vital to their studies.
The photocopiers are sheltered in a long
makeshift shed that is divided into about six compartments. Each
compartment contains an assortment of copiers that are also used for
scanning of documents, printing, binding or more and it is run by an
operator.
Living off the sweat of copyright owners
One of the operators at the pool, whose
name is Kunle, tells our correspondent that business usually peaks every
first semester and just before the commencement of examinations. “These
are the periods when patronage is very high,” he says.
Although Kunle declines to say how much
he earns from the business, he admits that business is good. “The only
problem we are having here is irregular power supply,” he says, quickly
adding that operators of the copiers are not allowed to use their own
generators.
Occasionally the conversation is
interrupted by the arrival of a customer, always a student, and Kunle
hurries off to attend to him. Later, he returns and says that he has
been in the business for about three years.
Of course, unknown to them, the likes of Kunle virtually live off the labour of authors and other copyright owners.
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