Agadir 24 | Agadir24
The Moroccan Writers Association denounced the spread of the phenomenon of pirating textbooks and their random selling, calling on publishers to coordinate in order to combat and eliminate the phenomenon.
According to what the association stated in a statement following its members’ meeting, “The piracy to which textbooks in particular, and books in general, are exposed, by some hackers, greatly harms the interests of importers, publishers, and bookstores in general.”
Regarding its proposals to confront this phenomenon, the Association called on publishers and suppliers to “open a dialogue as soon as possible to coordinate efforts to confront the phenomenon of piracy and illegal marketing in order to protect the profession of writers and safeguard the rights of writers.”
In addition, the association called on the responsible authorities to “take the necessary measures to reduce this phenomenon and protect the profession.”
On another topic, the Kutubiyin Association appreciated the efforts made within the framework of the direct support program for male and female students with regard to books and school tools, and the approval of canceling the value-added tax on school tools, noting that these initiatives “contributed to reducing the burden on families and ensuring the provision of necessary tools.”
The Kutubiyin Association stressed the importance of these initiatives in promoting equal opportunities and improving educational conditions, by supporting needy families and facilitating children’s access to their school needs in a timely manner.
The Association concluded by announcing the holding of regional communication meetings with the Kutubis during the next few days in order to collectively evaluate school entry for this year, as well as to exchange ideas and proposals in order to confront the challenges presented and achieve common goals.
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Analysis: The Plight of Pirated Textbooks in Morocco
A recent article from Agadir 24 caught my attention, highlighting the concerns of the Moroccan Writers Association regarding the widespread phenomenon of pirated textbooks in the country. The association’s denouncement of this issue is not surprising, given the severe impact it has on the literary and publishing industries. As I delved deeper into the issue, I discovered that piracy is not limited to textbooks alone, but is a pervasive problem affecting various forms of intellectual property in Morocco.
According to a UNESCO document, Morocco has laws in place to protect the rights of authors, including those of audiovisual works [[1]]. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Pirated books, including textbooks, are widely available in markets, often at a fraction of the cost of original copies. A 2018 report by Middle East Online noted that pirated books can cost as little as 20 dirhams ($2.10), which is a tenth of the original price [[2]]. This not only harms the publishing industry but also affects the livelihoods of authors and writers.
The issue of piracy is not new in Morocco, and its impact on the literary scene is multifaceted. On one hand, it discourages authors from creating original content, knowing that their work may be pirated and sold without their permission. On the other hand, it undermines the quality of education, as students may be using subpar or outdated materials.
In a recent article, “Travel by the Book: A Literary Tour of Morocco” [[3]], I discovered that Morocco has a rich literary heritage, with a thriving community of writers and authors. However, the presence of pirated textbooks and other copyrighted materials threatens to undermine this cultural treasure.
the spread of pirated textbooks in Morocco is a serious issue that requires immediate attention from policymakers, publishers, and the literary community. It is essential to enforce existing laws to protect intellectual property rights and to educate the public about the importance of respecting authors’ rights. By doing so, we can promote a culture of creativity and innovation, while also supporting the literary and publishing industries in Morocco.
