ABSTRACT
Neighbouring rights evolved as a result of the inadequacies of copyright as contained in the Berne Convention to protect the rights of persons who are not the actual creators of copyright works, but who by virtue of their actions have achieved rights for themselves. These rights under the Nigerian context include performers’ rights and expressions of folklore.
Neighbouring rights are also called related rights and vary from state to state, with each state embracing the rudiments and provisions of the Rome Convention of 1961, yet modifying them to suit its peculiarities. Also, there are bilateral and multilateral agreements on neighbouring rights all aimed at this protection of performers’ right, rights of producers of sound recordings and broadcasting organizations.
In the course of this research, the project work shall resort to textbooks, journal articles, relevant laws and internet sources been able to narrow down the nature and scope of neighbouring rights. Essentially reflecting an appraisal of the relevance of neighbouring rights to the protection of copyright in Nigeria. It is discovered that neighbouring rights are not exhaustive, as with each passing day, new areas keep evolving, hence the need for the adequate protection of these rights through modern and useful approaches of law.
This work further recommend ways, in which neighbouring rights could be successfully safeguarded, making reference to international position and other jurisdictions on the subject matter.
