UNILAG Professor Advocates Balanced Intellectual Property Laws for the Digital Era

Professor Adejoke Omolola Oyewunmi of UNILAG has called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s intellectual property laws to ensure they are inclusive, technologically relevant, and capable of protecting creators’ rights while promoting innovation and cultural heritage in the digital age.

Intellectual Property Must Evolve with Technology – Prof. Oyewunmi

Professor Adejoke Omolola Oyewunmi, a leading authority on Intellectual Property Law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has called for a more balanced and inclusive intellectual property (IP) framework to meet the demands of the digital age.

During her inaugural lecture, Oyewunmi emphasized the need to reform Nigeria’s IP laws to reflect the realities of modern digital technology, which has revolutionized how intellectual works are created, shared, and protected.

“The digital age offers vast opportunities for innovation and creative expression, but it also introduces serious risks, including copyright infringement and piracy,” she noted.

She highlighted the vulnerability of Nigeria’s entertainment industry—a major economic contributor—to these challenges. While digital platforms have improved reach and visibility for artists and creators, they have also intensified the risk of unauthorized exploitation of content.

Key Highlights from the Lecture

• Economic Contribution:
  Nigeria’s entertainment industry generated about ₦154 billion in GDP in 2023. PwC’s Africa E&M Outlook 2024–2028 identifies it as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, with an 8.6% annual growth rate.
• Employment and Cultural Influence:
  The sector supports thousands of jobs and promotes Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime have significantly boosted the visibility of Nigerian content.
• Technological Impact:
  Oyewunmi identified two critical areas affected by digital technology:
  1. The production and creation of copyright works.
  2. The dissemination and rights management in digital environments.

“Streaming platforms invested over $23 million in Nigerian content between 2016 and 2022, licensing 283 titles. Yet, digital piracy remains a persistent threat,” she stated.

Recommendations for Reform

To build a fair and robust IP ecosystem, Prof. Oyewunmi proposed:

• Updating IP Legislation:
  Align laws with modern digital practices and global standards.
• Establishing Clear Ownership Policies:
  Especially around digital academic publishing and content rights.
• Raising Public Awareness:
  Educating the public and creators on the importance and enforcement of IP rights.
• Fostering International Cooperation:
  Addressing global IP challenges requires cross-border partnerships.
• Recognizing Traditional Knowledge:
  IP laws should include protections for indigenous knowledge and avoid favoring commercial rights at their expense.

Broader Implications

Oyewunmi’s lecture has sparked renewed national dialogue on the role of intellectual property in a digital world. Her insights are timely, offering a roadmap for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics seeking to balance innovation with rights protection.

“IP laws must go beyond protecting commercial interests—they are instruments of justice and cultural recognition,” she concluded.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GUARDIAN