Copyrights Law in American Samoa (US)
Here’s a concise overview of Copyright Law in American Samoa (U.S. territory):
🇺🇸 Copyright Law in American Samoa
American Samoa, as an unincorporated territory of the United States, follows U.S. federal copyright law. There is no separate or distinct copyright legislation for American Samoa.
Key Points
1. Governing Law
Copyrights in American Samoa are governed by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 (Title 17 of the United States Code), including all amendments.
The law is administered by the U.S. Copyright Office, a part of the Library of Congress.
2. Protected Works
Literary works (books, articles, poems)
Musical compositions
Dramatic works
Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
Motion pictures and audiovisual works
Sound recordings
Computer software
Architectural works
3. Duration of Copyright
For works created after January 1, 1978: Life of the author plus 70 years.
For works made for hire, anonymous, or pseudonymous works: 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.
4. Rights Granted
Economic rights: reproduction, distribution, public performance, display, derivative works.
Moral rights (limited compared to some jurisdictions).
5. Registration
Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional but recommended for enforcement purposes.
It provides a public record and is necessary to bring a lawsuit for infringement.
6. Enforcement
Enforcement is handled by U.S. federal courts.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, fines, and criminal penalties for willful infringement.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may seize infringing goods at U.S. borders, including shipments to/from American Samoa.
7. International Treaties
The U.S. is a party to key international copyright treaties:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty
TRIPS Agreement
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17 USC) |
| Protected Works | Literary, musical, artistic, software, audiovisual, etc. |
| Duration | Life + 70 years (general rule) |
| Registration | Optional, via U.S. Copyright Office |
| Enforcement | Federal courts, customs enforcement |
| International Treaties | Berne, WIPO, TRIPS |
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