The rise of piracy and illegal downloading has become a major issue in Nigeria, particularly among university students or let us say the Generation Z in general.
Streaming apps sucks my data
During our conversations, Matthew, a 100-level student of Public health, said that he formerly subscribed to Netflix, but after he calculated the amount he spends on data every day, he stopped.
Also, a 300-level student of Microbiology Olumide, explained that from the beginning she always downloaded her movies from illegal sites, it was not always easy but it was less expensive, but she presently uses Netflix for her movies now.
After a series of other interviews, it became evident that many students resort to illegal downloading due to the high cost of accessing legitimate digital content.
It is not safe at all
With limited financial resources, people perceive free downloads as a convenient and affordable alternative. However, what they often fail to recognize are the severe consequences that can arise from such actions.
One of the primary risks associated with illegal downloading is the potential for malware and virus infections. Pirated content frequently comes from untrusted sources, increasing the likelihood of compromising personal data and exposing devices to cyber threats.
People who shared the movies were arrested
Besides the risks to individuals, movie piracy also badly affects Nigeria’s creative industries and the whole economy. When people don’t pay for movies and shows through proper channels and services, it makes it very difficult for those creative businesses to survive and grow.
Two Nigerian movies, “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Malaika,” were recently leaked online. This means people could watch them for free instead of paying to see them in theaters. The movies cost a lot of money to make, so the leak hurt the filmmakers’ profits.
(INSTEAD OF THIS SENTENCE, USE A DIRECT QUOTE OF TOYIN’ S COMPLAINT HERE.
The leak caused a stir, and some people who shared the movies online were arrested. But others argued that downloading these movies wasn’t really a crime.
Legal consequences of illegal sites download
Basically, Nigerian law protects people who make movies (and other creative things) with something called copyright. This copyright is like a special power that lets the creator control how their work is used. This copyright is covered by the Copyright Act of 2023.
The law says that only the movie owner gets to decide things like: making copies, showing it in public, putting it online, selling it on DVD, or even changing it in some way. So, anyone who does any of those things without permission from the owner is basically breaking the rules.
In the case of the leaked movies, this applies to anyone involved. This includes website owners who have the movies illegally and let people download them, as well as people sharing the movies on chat apps or selling access to them. Even just grabbing a copy yourself online is breaking the law. WHAT’S THE SPECIFIC PUNISHMENT FOR THE CRIME?
Catching people who break copyright rules is a bit tougher these days compared to when movies were on tapes or discs, but it’s still possible. There are even companies that exist just to help moviemakers fight people who steal their copyright.
While the temptation of free downloads may seem enticing, it is crucial for people to understand the long-term consequences of such actions. Embracing legal alternatives, such as subscription-based streaming services or purchasing licensed software, not only protects against potential risks but also contributes to the growth and development of Nigeria’s creative sectors.
