Abuja: Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for legal use of software applications in engineering, construction, and building design to boost the critical sectors of the nation’s economy. The Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, made the call during a Sensitisation and Interactive Session on Legal Use of Software in Engineering, Construction and Building Design Sector, in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised by the NCC in collaboration with World View (Autodesk). The Director-General emphasized the indispensable role of software applications like AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and Navisworks in today’s technology-driven environment for designing, structural analysis, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). He highlighted that these technologies enable professionals to innovate, design, and draw with greater precision.
Asein pointed out the challenges posed by the use of pirated, unauthorised, or non-compliant software packages in many technology-aided creative fields. He noted that these practices have legal implications, undermine professionalism, and may expose clients to other hazards. He warned against the misconception that using pirated or unlicensed software is a cost-saving strategy, asserting that adherence to licensing agreements is far cheaper and safer in the long term.
The NCC boss expressed awareness of reputational issues for firms that fail to comply with licensing requirements. Such firms may miss opportunities to bid for international projects if their profiles do not meet due diligence requirements. He stressed that compliance is not merely a legal obligation but an investment in operational safety, project integrity, and long-term profitability.
Highlighting the importance of the copyright system, Asein explained that it balances the rights of creators and innovators, ensuring that owners have legitimate control and benefit from their intellectual labor and investment. He urged practitioners in the construction, building, and engineering sectors to respect software developers’ rights, just as they expect their works to be respected.
The Director-General hoped that the event would begin an industry-wide conversation on building a culture of compliance, professional integrity, and safeguarding core values of creativity and innovation. He emphasized the need to understand the thresholds of software usage and their legal implications, from ethical use to the most severe level where breaches are criminal.
Asein urged chief executives and business owners to be mindful of the possibility of vicarious liability, highlighting that a company can be held responsible for infringements by its employees if there are no clear compliance protocols. He advised establishing and reinforcing internal controls, conducting periodic software audits, and fostering a culture of compliance at every level.
He called on relevant professional associations to set guidelines for proper software use within their professions and enforce copyright standards by promoting adherence to global best practices. This, he said, would enhance professionalism, standards, and facilitate seamless cross-border opportunities for Nigerian firms.
Mr. Kunle Olatunji, Deputy Director/Head of Regulatory and Compliance Department at NCC, also spoke at the event. He noted the industry’s increased reliance on specialized software for design, project management, modelling, and analysis. He discussed the significance of software applications in offering efficiencies and innovations in licensing several intellectual property issues, emphasizing the importance of understanding exclusive and non-exclusive licenses, and the critical nature of their duration and renewal as software evolves.