THE LEGAL REGIME OF E-INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN NIGERIA: THE JOURNEY SO FAR

Abstract

The recent development witnessed in scientific and technological innovations since the beginning of the 20th century have changed the face of modern society, an era termed as “the jet age.” Areas affected by this technological advancement include the world’s legal system, transforming the nature of the intellectual property from its traditional mode and the economic policies of many nations by getting its legal frame work attracted to protect the emerging aspects of intellectual property. This paper which focuses on the Nigeria journey so far as to the legal regime on e-intellectual property has its objectives as examining the level of protections accorded to individual rights on e-intellectual property in Nigeria, the challenges faced and the prospects for the legal regime of e-intellectual property in Nigeria. The paper employed doctrinal research method in its analysis. It was found out that the absence of political will on the enactment of the needed legislations in the protection of intellectual property works in the digital environment adequately contribute some quota to the depreciation of the country’s economy. One of the major recommendations is the need for a holistic review and amendment of the legislations regulating the intellectual property in Nigeria including the implementation of the already amended statutes to tackle the contemporary issues affecting inventors or creators’ rights majorly in the digital environment where the third party reaps from without investing in the work of the true inventor. Thus, the issue of internet piracy and cybersquatting will be resolved and dealt with easily.