THE LAW AND PRACTICE OF REPROGRAPHIC RIGHTS AND FAIR USE CHALLENGE IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Educational institutions such as universities are charged with the responsibility of providing materials for teaching and research, and in actualising this role the university community is involved in various aspects of reprography. This paper investigates the reprographic rights and fair use challenges within Lagos State University (LASU), with a focus on the legal framework, contemporary issues, and prevailing practices among students, lecturers, and university administrators. The research explores the intersection between the Nigerian Copyright Act and educational practices involving photocopying, scanning, and digital reproduction of academic materials. Using an empirical methodology, the paper draws data from questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis to evaluate the level of awareness, compliance, and enforcement of reprographic rights and fair use provisions within the university community. Findings reveal a widespread practice of unauthorized reproduction of learning materials, largely driven by the high cost and limited availability of textbooks, coupled with inadequate institutional policies on copyright compliance. The paper further identifies gaps between legal prescriptions and academic realities, highlighting the tension between access to knowledge and intellectual property protection. It concludes by recommending university-based copyright policies, together with collaboration with rights management organizations, to foster a balanced approach that upholds both educational access and the rights of creators.