Copyrights Law in Bahrain
Here’s an overview of Copyright Law in Bahrain:
Copyright Law in Bahrain
Legal Framework:
Copyright in Bahrain is governed by Law No. 22 of 2006 on the Protection of Copyright and Neighboring Rights, as amended by Law No. 16 of 2014.
Bahrain is a member of international agreements such as:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
TRIPS Agreement
Rome Convention
Protected Works:
Copyright protection applies to original works of authorship expressed in a tangible form, including:
Literary works (books, articles, poems)
Musical works with or without lyrics
Dramatic and choreographic works
Audiovisual works, films
Photographic and artistic works
Computer programs and databases
Architectural designs
Rights Granted:
Economic rights: to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, adapt, and communicate the work to the public.
Moral rights: include the right of attribution and the right to object to distortion or modification of the work that harms the author’s reputation.
Duration of Protection:
Copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years after death.
For joint works: 50 years after the death of the last surviving author.
For audiovisual works and corporate works: 50 years from the first publication.
Performers’ rights and producers’ rights last 50 years.
Exceptions and Limitations:
Bahrain’s law includes fair use exceptions for:
Personal and non-commercial use
Teaching and educational purposes
Quotation for criticism or review
Library or archive use
These uses must not harm the normal exploitation of the work or unfairly prejudice the author.
Enforcement and Remedies:
Infringement can lead to civil and criminal penalties.
Remedies include:
Injunctions
Monetary damages
Confiscation or destruction of infringing copies
Fines and imprisonment in serious cases
Customs authorities can block the import/export of pirated materials.
Registration:
Copyright is automatic upon creation and does not require registration.
However, voluntary registration is available through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, which can serve as evidence in legal disputes.
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