Copyrights Law in Gambia
Sure! Here’s an overview of Copyright Law in The Gambia:
Copyright Law in The Gambia
Legal Framework
The Gambia’s copyright law is governed by the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2004 (Act No. 14 of 2004).
This law aligns with international copyright standards and aims to protect the rights of creators over their literary, artistic, and scientific works.
Key Features of The Gambia’s Copyright Law:
Protected Works: Includes literary works (books, articles, computer programs), artistic works (paintings, drawings, photographs), musical works, cinematographic works, broadcasts, and more.
Originality: Protection applies to original works that are a product of intellectual creativity.
Duration of Protection:
For literary, artistic, and musical works: Life of the author plus 50 years after death.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works: 50 years from the date of publication.
For cinematographic works, broadcasts, and sound recordings: 50 years from creation or first publication.
Rights Granted:
Economic Rights: Right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, broadcast, and adapt the work.
Moral Rights: Right to claim authorship and to object to any distortion or mutilation of the work.
Registration: Copyright exists automatically upon creation and fixation of the work; registration is optional but can serve as evidence in legal disputes.
Exceptions and Limitations:
Fair dealing for purposes such as research, private study, criticism, review, reporting current events, and education is allowed.
Infringement and Enforcement:
Infringement may lead to civil remedies including damages and injunctions.
Criminal penalties may apply for willful infringement, including fines and imprisonment.
The Gambia is committed to enforcing copyright through courts and regulatory bodies.
International Treaties
The Gambia is a party to several international agreements related to copyright protection, including:
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties
The TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)
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