The Federal Government will soon implement its plan to tax phones, laptops, software, photocopiers, CD players, and other devices that can be used to infringe on the copyrights of others.
The tax known as the Copyright Levy will comprise a 2% charge on all such devices imported or manufactured in the country.
Director-General of the Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, “The Copyright Levy on Materials Order 2012 received the necessary approval from the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN.
“The levy order is applicable to all imported materials used or capable of being used to infringe copyright in a work, both imported and manufactured in the country, and it is designed to compensate the right owners for the envisaged infringement.
“It is one of the commission’s ways of generating income for the government, stakeholders and the commission. This was done after due consultation with stakeholders who have expressed satisfaction and appreciation over the levy order.”