Visual Arts and the Legal Issues of Copyright and Contract in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines a number of legal issues that impinges on the works of the visual artist in the society, which if well tackled, will make positive impact in the economic growth and development of nations. This is essentially on copyright practices on intellectual properties. It is observed that perhaps due to lack of information on the part of the creative minds or a result of non enforcement by governments of countries on copyright agreements duly reached by member countries, the artist is not only being shortchanged but that the member countries also experience loss in harnessing the potentials of creativity for national development. Copyright is an important asset of creators that gives them legal rights and opportunities to generate income, irrespective of the ownership of their physical creation. Through a review of a number of literatures and critical examination of international treaties signed to regulate the creative efforts of member countries, a number of issues bordering on copyright and visual art practices were discussed and highlighted. They include the visual Arts under the Nigerian law, the concept of copyright and contracts, Moral Rights for the Visual Artists and the cultural policy in Nigeria. Others are the international Treaties on copyright, the Nigerian copyright commission and the legal issues for the visual artists. It is found out that these legal issues discussed are indispensable information for the visual artists, who wish to make a mark in their chosen career and that creativity is the bedrock of every civilization. When the intellectual properties are well protected, it will fastrack a wider dissemination of works of the human mind and thereby increase international understanding.

Keywords: Copyright, Infringement, Creativity, Visual Arts, Berne Convention, Intellectual Property, fixed medium, legal issues.