COPYRIGHT FOR CINEMATOGRAPHIC PRODUCTIONS UNDER THE NIGERIAN LEGAL INSTRUMENT: AN INVESTIGATION OF ISLAMIC LAW STANDARDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53704/16v9sd79Keywords:
Copyrights, Cinematography, Nigeria, Islamic Law Standards, Objectives.Abstract
Copyright is a form of intellectual property that grants the originator the exclusive right to its creativity such as books, scripts, films, records etc. The significance of the copyright cannot be underestimated; as it allows the owner of the right to enjoy certain benefits such as legal protection, royalties and licensing rights. Under the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022, film productions are accorded such rights while a Board so established is empowered by provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act (NFVCBA) to censor and classify such film productions. It is disheartening, however, to observe that contents of many films produced in Nigeria, which is the second largest films producing nation in the world, are immoral and this has adverse effects on the country’s society especially the youths who are the majority viewers. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the application of Islamic law standards to copyright for cinematographic productions under the Nigerian legal instruments. Overall, this paper seeks to better understand the Islamic law standards when it comes to copyright for cinematography and how it should be balanced to promote creativity and ensure morality. The paper relies on content analysis of both primary ie the Qur’an, the Hadith, the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022 and NFVCBA; and secondary sources of information like articles in journals, internet materials, text books of Islamic jurisprudence and others. It is hoped that the findings of this paper will contribute to the development of an effective and equitable copyright law framework in Nigeria and beyond. The paper concludes by recommending that the Nigerian Copyright Act should be amended and categorically make provision for ineligibility of immoral cinematography copyright. The paper equally recommended that the Nigerian film productions industry (Nollywood) should borrow leaf from Indian film productions industry (Bollywood) in displaying on the screen words of caution and warning whenever scenes depicting harmful or unethical behavior, such as cigarette smoking, child abuse, women victimization, are being showed.
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