Intellectual Property Lawyers Warn Creators About A Rising Scam

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 In 2025, Nigeria’s creative economy is booming. From music and film to tech startups and digital art (NFTs), creators are generating millions of naira in revenue. But with this growth comes a dangerous new threat — and intellectual property (IP) lawyers are sounding the alarm.

A rising scam is targeting Nigerian creators, stealing their rights and profits before they even realize it.

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🎭 The Growing Value of Intellectual Property in 2025

Creative works like songs, logos, software, designs, and online content are now valuable assets. For many, IP is their biggest source of income.

But as the value of IP rises, so do the number of fraudsters looking to exploit creators who may not fully understand their rights.

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⚠️ The Rising Scam Targeting Creators

According to IP lawyers, scammers are using new tricks to cheat creators out of ownership:

1. Fake Copyright Registrations – Fraudsters convince artists to pay for “fast-track” copyright certificates that turn out to be fake.

2. Hidden Contract Clauses – Unsuspecting musicians, designers, and app developers sign deals where their IP is secretly transferred to another party.

3. Domain & Trademark Theft – Criminals quickly register domain names, social media handles, or trademarks linked to a creator’s brand before the creator does.

4. Phishing & Online Fraud – Fake “record labels,” “publishing houses,” and “investors” ask creators to upload original works, then sell or publish them elsewhere.

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📢 What Lawyers Are Saying

Legal experts are warning:

“Most creators lose money not because their work isn’t valuable, but because they don’t protect it legally. Scammers thrive on ignorance.” – Barrister Chidi Okafor, IP Lawyer.

They stress that creators must treat their intellectual property like real estate — it needs registration, monitoring, and legal defense.

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🛡️ How Creators Can Protect Themselves

1. Register Copyrights & Trademarks Properly – Always use official government agencies or verified IP lawyers.

2. Read Contracts Carefully – Don’t sign any music, publishing, or business contract without legal review.

3. Secure Online Assets – Register your domain names, trademarks, and brand handles early.

4. Use NDAs – When sharing ideas with investors or collaborators, protect them with a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

5. Stay Informed – Many scams exploit ignorance. Creators should attend IP workshops or consult a lawyer regularly.

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⚖️ Final Thoughts

The creative economy in 2025 is filled with opportunities, but also new dangers. Intellectual property lawyers are right: if you don’t protect your work, someone else will steal it.

For Nigerian creators — whether you’re a musician, filmmaker, designer, or tech innovator — safeguarding your intellectual property isn’t optional. It’s the only way to secure your future earnings and legacy.