Copyrights Law in Anguilla (BOT)
Here is an overview of Copyright Law in Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory (BOT):
🔹 Governing Law:
Copyright Act of Anguilla, Revised Statutes of Anguilla, Chapter C115
(Modeled closely after the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988)
Administered by the Anguilla Intellectual Property Office (IPO), part of the government’s Commercial Registry.
🔹 What Is Protected:
Literary works (books, articles, computer programs)
Musical works (compositions and lyrics)
Dramatic and choreographic works
Artistic works (paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures)
Films and broadcasts
Sound recordings
Typographical arrangements of published editions
Databases
🔹 Rights Granted:
Economic Rights:
Reproduction
Distribution
Public performance and communication
Adaptation and translation
Moral Rights:
Right of attribution (to be named as author)
Right of integrity (to object to derogatory treatment)
Right against false attribution
🔹 Duration of Protection:
Life of the author + 70 years after death (standard for literary, musical, artistic, and dramatic works)
Films and sound recordings: 70 years from publication or creation
Broadcasts: 50 years from broadcast
Typographical arrangements: 25 years from publication
🔹 Exceptions and Limitations:
Fair dealing for purposes such as:
Private study or research
Criticism or review
News reporting
Teaching or instruction
Some specific exceptions exist for libraries, archives, and disabled users
🔹 Registration:
No formal registration is required — copyright protection is automatic upon creation.
Registration may be offered for proof of authorship, but it is not necessary for protection.
🔹 Enforcement:
Copyright owners can take civil action in Anguilla’s courts.
Criminal sanctions are also possible in cases of willful infringement.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, and seizure of infringing goods.
🔹 International Treaties:
As a BOT under the UK, Anguilla benefits from UK participation in:
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement
WIPO Copyright Treaty
✅ Summary:
Anguilla offers automatic copyright protection consistent with UK and international standards. Moral rights are recognized, and copyright lasts for the author’s life + 70 years. Enforcement is handled locally through Anguilla’s courts.
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