Copyrights Law in Haiti
Here’s an overview of copyright law in Haiti as of 2025:
📚 Copyright Law in Haiti
1. Legal Framework
The primary legislation is the Law of 14 April 2005 on Copyright and Related Rights, which modernized Haiti's copyright system.
Administered by the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication.
Haiti is a member of major international treaties:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty
TRIPS Agreement (through WTO membership)
2. Protected Works
Haitian copyright law protects original works of authorship, including:
Literary works (books, articles, software)
Artistic works (paintings, drawings, sculptures)
Musical compositions (with or without lyrics)
Cinematographic and audiovisual works
Photographs
Architectural works
Translations and adaptations
Protection is automatic upon creation and does not require registration.
3. Rights Conferred
🔹 Economic Rights:
Right to reproduce, publish, perform, broadcast, adapt, and distribute the work.
🔹 Moral Rights:
Right to be named as the author (right of attribution)
Right to the integrity of the work (to oppose distortion, mutilation, or unauthorized modification)
Moral rights are perpetual, inalienable, and imprescriptible in Haiti.
4. Duration of Protection
Life of the author + 50 years after death.
For joint works: 50 years after the last surviving author’s death.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works: 50 years from first publication.
Related rights (e.g., performers, producers): 50 years from performance or publication.
5. Limitations and Exceptions
Allowed uses without prior authorization include:
Private copying for personal use
Quotation for criticism, review, or news reporting
Educational and research use
Library and archival uses
These uses must be fair and not harm the normal exploitation of the work.
6. Enforcement
Rights can be enforced in civil and criminal courts.
Penalties for infringement include:
Injunctions
Damages
Seizure of infringing goods
Fines or imprisonment for willful infringement
📊 Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Law of 14 April 2005 on Copyright and Related Rights |
| Protection | Automatic upon creation |
| Protected Works | Literary, musical, artistic, audiovisual, software |
| Duration | Life + 50 years |
| Moral Rights | Yes – perpetual and inalienable |
| Exceptions | Private use, quotation, teaching, libraries |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal remedies |
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