Copyrights Law in Greenland (Denmark)
Greenland, as an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark, has its own legal framework for copyright, which aligns closely with Danish law.
🇬🇱 Copyright Law in Greenland
Greenland's copyright law is effectively harmonized with Denmark's Consolidated Act on Copyright (Act No. 763 of June 30, 2006). While this Danish Act does not automatically apply to Greenland, it may be extended to Greenland through a Royal Ordinance, with modifications to suit Greenland's specific conditions. As of 2019, Greenland's copyright law has been brought into conformance with Denmark's, meaning that Danish copyright templates, including for public documents, are applicable in Greenland.
📘 Key Features of Greenland's Copyright Law
1. Protected Works
Greenland's copyright law protects a wide range of original works, including:
Literary works
Artistic works
Musical compositions
Audiovisual works
Computer programs
Photographs
Architectural works
Applied art
Derivatives works (e.g., translations, adaptations
Protection is granted automatically upon creation, without the need for formal registration.
2. Duration of Protection
The duration of copyright protection in Greenland mirrors that of Denmark:
Individual works: Life of the author plus 70 years after death.
Joint works: 70 years after the death of the last surviving author.
Anonymous or pseudonymous works: 70 years from the date of publication.
Audiovisual works: 70 years after the death of the last surviving of the following: principal director, author of the screenplay, author of the dialogue, or composer of the music specifically created for the work.
Posthumous works: If not published during the author's lifetime, protection lasts 70 years from the date of publication.
3. Rights Granted
Greenland's copyright law recognizes both economic and moral rights:
Economic rights: Reproduction, distribution, public performance, broadcasting, adaptation, and translation.
Moral rights: Right to claim authorship and to object to any distortion, mutilation, or other modification of the work that would prejudice the author's honor or reputation.
4. Enforcement and Remedies
Infringement of copyright in Greenland is addressed under the same provisions as in Denmark, including civil remedies and criminal sanctions. These may include injunctions, damages, and, in cases of commercial-scale infringement, imprisonment and fines.
5. International Treaties
Greenland is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is party to most international copyright treaties, including:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations
WIPO Copyright Treaty
These memberships ensure that Greenlandic works are protected in other member countries and vice versa.
📌 Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Harmonized with Denmark's Copyright Act |
| Duration | Life + 70 years (general rule) |
| Protected Works | Literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, applied art, etc. |
| Registration | Not required; voluntary timestamping service available |
| Enforcement | Civil remedies and criminal sanctions |
| International Treaties | Berne Convention, Rome Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty |
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