Chukwuma Ekomaru, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in judicial robes

Copyright & Data Protection

Enforcing copyright and data-protection rights in Nigeria — protecting your creative work and business data.

Intellectual property theft in Nigeria is common. Enforcement is not — because most victims do not know where to start, and most law firms do not have the practice depth to pursue infringement claims effectively. This firm pursues infringers, registers protections, and advises on compliance with Nigeria's data protection framework.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the preceding NDPR create real obligations for businesses that collect and process personal data. Non-compliance is no longer merely a reputational risk — the NDPC has enforcement powers and is using them. The firm advises on compliance structures, DPA registration, data processing policies, and breach response.

For creative professionals — musicians, authors, filmmakers, software developers, visual artists — copyright is the legal foundation of your commercial value. Without proper registration and enforcement, that value is vulnerable. The firm handles both the proactive protection layer and the litigation when infringement has already occurred.

Why SAN-Led Representation

IP enforcement litigation, particularly where the infringer is a well-resourced commercial entity, requires an advocacy level that signals the claim will be pursued to judgment and beyond. SAN-led enforcement changes the calculation for infringers who might otherwise choose to contest rather than settle.

How We Help

Services Within This Practice Area

Copyright Protection & Registration

Copyright registration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission. Registration of literary, artistic, musical, and software works.

Infringement Litigation

Civil enforcement of copyright: damages, injunctions, account of profits, and delivery up. Criminal prosecution for wilful infringement.

Trademark & Passing Off

Brand protection through trademark registration with the Trade Marks Registry. Passing off litigation and injunctions against brand imitation.

NDPA/NDPR Compliance

Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 compliance: data processing registers, privacy notices, consent mechanisms, DPA registration, and breach response plans.

Online & Social Media Infringement

Take-down procedures, platform complaint mechanisms, evidence preservation for digital infringement, and content licensing disputes.

IP Licensing & Commercialisation

Licensing agreements, co-production arrangements, work-for-hire structures, and IP assignment documentation.

Representative Matters

Selected Outcomes

All matters anonymised in accordance with professional confidentiality obligations.

Federal High Court

Copyright infringement — published work

Injunction obtained. Damages awarded. Infringing copies recalled and destroyed.

Federal High Court

Trademark passing off — consumer brand

Interlocutory injunction against use of confusingly similar mark. Settlement with compensation.

Regulatory

NDPC data protection audit

Client passed NDPC audit following compliance advisory and documentation review.

Take the First Step

The outcome of your case depends on the firm you choose today.

A land title. A business dispute. A criminal charge. A family estate. Speak with a Senior Advocate before your options narrow — the first conversation is confidential and costs you nothing.