An Appraisal of Damages as a Remedy for Copyright Infringement in Agricultural Research Institutions of Nigeria
Abo C.H & 2Akande I.F
1Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Nigeria
2Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Kongo Campus, Zaria
ABSTRACT
Agricultural Institutes, just like other academic institutions are basically research institutes. They carry out researches on different crops, animals, soil, climate or even weather. Scientists in various agricultural research
institutes carry out research activities relating to quality, pest control and quantity of various agricultural produce. The research methodology adopted in this paper is doctrinal which involves relevant books on the
subject matter, articles, in journal publications, conference papers, judicial authorities, News Paper, magazines and internet materials. However, the statement of problem of this paper is that in most cases researchers in agricultural Institutes and other relevant stakeholders are not aware of the fact that they can make claims for damages when their copyright is infringed. In this like, the objective of this paper is to examine succinctly the extent of the rights of researchers in agricultural institutes with a view to understanding when and how their copyrights can be infringed and what constitutes their claim of assertion of infringement. In the course of research work resulting to this paper, it was found that most scientists in agricultural institutes are not even aware of their general Intellectual Property Rights which seeks to protect their literal works against infringement. Finally, this paper concludes by recommending that there should be continuous academic training in form of workshops and conferences for researchers in Agricultural Institutes on Intellectual Property Right issues so as to make them proactive and keep them a braced with the changing patterns of academic learning and agricultural researches particularly as relates to their Intellectual Property.
Keywords: Agricultural, Copyright, Infringement, Damages and intellectual.
