The Federal Government has called on stakeholders to ensure that the use of digital tools complies with legal standards, intellectual property laws, and industry best practices, amid growing national dependence on such technologies.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, gave the advice during a sensitisation workshop on the legal use of engineering and design software, held in Abuja on Thursday.
She was represented by Mrs Aramide Elizabeth, an Assistant Director in the ministry.
The event was organised by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in partnership with Worlds View (Autodesk), and focused on responsible software application in engineering and design.
“Today’s digital age would be a key to state that the use of software has become the backbone of innovation, design in Nigeria,” she said.
“The increasing reliance on digital tools has become the pressing need to ensure that their use aligns with legal standards, intellectual property laws, and best practices in our nation.”
She added that the workshop served as a platform for legal practitioners, engineers, designers, and policymakers to discuss ethical and lawful approaches to using digital tools.
“The discussions here will no doubt promote greater awareness, mitigate the risks of software piracy and encourage adherence to licensing regulations, ultimately supporting innovation while upholding the rule of law,” she said.
According to her, the Federal Ministry of Justice remains committed to creating a legal environment that supports technological progress, protects rights, and ensures responsible use of creative works.
She highlighted the Copyright Act 2022, signed into law in March 2023, as a key reform aimed at addressing digital rights and usage, aligning with Nigeria’s treaty obligations and introducing balanced protections.
“On behalf of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I commend the organisers of this workshop for this laudable initiative,” she added.
“I urge all participants to engage fully and share ideas that will help shape sound policy and professional practice in the engineering and construction sector.”
Mr Abubakar Lawal, Technical Sales Manager at Worlds View (Autodesk), spoke on the benefits of using genuine Autodesk software, stressing that licensed software guarantees legal rights, access to tools and support, and improves workflow and credibility.
He noted that other benefits include legal protection, full feature access, technical assistance, and financial predictability.
In his contribution, Mr Femi Ajala, Head of Operations at NCC, encouraged the creative community to engage in intellectual dialogue, share experiences, and identify strategies for managing software usage.
Ajala stressed that the widespread availability of technology had extended software use beyond physical boundaries, bringing challenges such as piracy and abuse.
“Like films and music, you will agree that the software industry is not equally spared of the incidence of abuse and violence,” he said.
He added that piracy posed a real threat to the industry, leading to financial losses, job risks, and discouragement for innovators and companies.
“Many creative companies, such as Worlds View (Autodesk), as well as individual creators, may likely be frustrated out of business if the trend continues,” he warned.
(NAN)