Level of awareness of copyright law and infringement by students of tertiary institutions in Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was examined to assess the Level of Awareness of Copyright Law and Infringement by students of Tertiary Institutions in Niger State, Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 69,061 students as at 2015/2016 academic session. Sample size of 381 students were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was designed and used for the study. Out of the 381 copies of the questionnaire administered to students, 250 copies were filled, returned and used. Collected data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores. The findings of the study revealed that extent of awareness of copyright law is considerably high for the use of printed/literary resources, meaning the students have a reasonable level of knowledge of the dictates of the copyright law but still go ahead to infringe on these laws, there is no adherence to the law; the awareness of copyright law reduces piracy/plagiarism, and this is to a significant extent; only 5% of students in higher institutions can afford to acquire textbooks required for study and research. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, the management of the tertiary institutions in Niger State should derive a better means of effecting copyright law in the tertiary institutions, the copyright regulatory bodies like the Nigeria copyright Commission should be adequately funded by the government and there should be enlightenment and awareness campaigns that will be taken down to the grass root on piracy and its ills.