Author(s): F. C. AMADI | Volume 18 (2)April, 2023
Abstract
Generally, globalisation and the information Technology revolution have pushed the demand for intellectual property protection beyond the borders of sovereign nations. In the same vein, liberalization, international treaties, tourism, the media and the steady shift to free market economies enable greater movements of goods across the world and the need for better intellectual property protections. Intellectual Property rights include traditional knowledge issues and the protection of folklore. It is against this background that this paper aimed at appraising the question of originality vis-à-vis the copyrightability and protection of folklore under the Nigerian corpus juris. The objectives of this paper amongst others include examining the legal framework for the protection of folklores under the Nigerian Copyright Act. The normative juridical research method was used. This paper found that the Copyright Act recognizes the protection of folklore in Nigeria but identification and allocation of the right is almost uncertain. It recommended the strengthening of the regulatory framework so that owners of folklore can be identified, recognised and enabled to reap the fruit of their labour while invaders are punished appropriately.
Keywords: Originality, Copyrightability, Protection, Folklore