Copyrights Law in Costa Rica
Here’s a detailed overview of copyright law in Costa Rica:
📘 Legal Framework
Copyright in Costa Rica is governed by Law No. 6683 on Copyright and Related Rights (enacted in 1982, with several amendments).
The law protects authors' moral and economic rights over their literary, artistic, and scientific works.
The Registro Nacional (National Registry) manages copyright registrations, although registration is not mandatory for protection.
🧠 What Is Protected?
Costa Rican copyright law protects:
Literary works (books, articles, computer programs, databases)
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs)
Musical works (compositions, lyrics)
Dramatic and choreographic works
Audiovisual works (films, videos)
Architectural works
Derivative works and compilations
📅 Duration of Copyright
The general term is the life of the author plus 70 years after their death.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works, protection lasts 70 years from the date of publication.
For audiovisual works, protection lasts 70 years from the date of publication.
🌍 International Treaties
Costa Rica is a member of key international copyright treaties, including:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)
TRIPS Agreement under the WTO
⚖️ Rights Granted
Copyright owners have:
Moral rights (right to attribution and integrity of the work)
Economic rights (exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and adapt the work)
The ability to authorize or prohibit third parties from exercising these rights.
⚖️ Enforcement
Infringement cases can be pursued through civil courts.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, seizure and destruction of infringing copies.
Criminal sanctions apply for willful infringement, including fines and imprisonment.
Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Law No. 6683 on Copyright and Related Rights |
| Protected Works | Literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, architectural, derivative works |
| Duration | Life + 70 years; 70 years for anonymous works |
| International Treaties | Berne, WCT, WPPT, TRIPS |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal remedies |
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