Copyrights Law in Jordan
Jordan's copyright framework is primarily governed by Law No. 22 of 1992 on Copyright Protection, which has undergone several amendments to align with international standards and address evolving digital and cultural needs. The most recent amendment is Law No. 23 of 2014, which introduced changes to various articles of the original law.
📘 Key Features of Jordan's Copyright Law
1. Automatic Protection
Copyright protection in Jordan is automatic upon the creation of an original work fixed in a tangible medium. While registration with the National Library of the Jordanian Ministry of Culture is not mandatory, it provides legal advantages in case of disputes.
2. Protected Works
The law protects a wide range of works, including:
Literary works (e.g., books, articles, computer programs)
Dramatic and dramatico-musical works
Musical compositions
Choreographic works and pantomimes
Audiovisual works
Works of fine art (e.g., paintings, sculptures, engravings)
Photographic works
Works of applied art
Illustrations, maps, plans, sketches, and three-dimensional works
Expressions of folklore and works inspired by folklore
These works are protected as long as they are original intellectual creations in the literary, artistic, and scientific fields.
3. Duration of Protection
The duration of copyright protection varies depending on the type of work:
Literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works: Life of the author plus 50 years.
Anonymous or pseudonymous works: 50 years from the date of publication.
Cinematographic works: 50 years from the date of publication.
Photographic works and works of applied art: 25 years from the end of the year of the author's death.
Works authored by "an institution, enterprise, or organization": 50 years from publication.
4. Moral Rights
Authors in Jordan enjoy moral rights, which include:
The right to attribution (the right to be identified as the author of a work).
The right to object to derogatory treatment of the work that may prejudice the author's honour or reputation.
These rights cannot be sold or surrendered
5. Economic Rights
Economic rights allow authors to control the use of their works and include:
The right to reproduction.
The right to distribution.
The right to public performance.
The right to adaptation.
These rights can be transferred or licensed to others, provided the assignment is in writing and unequivocally states the right at issue, its scope, purpose, place, and term.
6. Exceptions and Limitations
Certain uses of copyrighted works are permitted without authorization, including:
Use for educational purposes.
Use for personal use.
Use of laws, regulations, and court judgments.
Use of news items and reports.
Additionally, the Minister of Culture holds the copyright for works that fall into the category of national heritage and is charged with preventing misuse of such works while at the same time allowing public access to those works.
7. Compulsory Licensing
The Jordanian Minister of Culture has the right to assign a nonexclusive, non-assignable license to Jordanian nationals for certain purposes, such as educational use, without the consent of the copyright holder.
🌐 International Treaties
Jordan is a party to several international treaties that facilitate the protection of copyrighted works across borders:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works: Provides automatic copyright protection in all member countries.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): Establishes minimum standards for the regulation of different forms of intellectual property.
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT): Addresses copyright issues in the digital environment.
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT): Deals with the rights of performers and producers of phonograms in the digital environment.
Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled: Makes the production and international transfer of specially adapted books for people with blindness or visual impairments easier.
🛡️ Enforcement and Protection
While Jordan does not have a formal copyright registry, copyright holders can enforce their rights through civil litigation in the local courts. The Jordanian Ministry of Culture oversees copyright matters and can assist in the enforcement of rights.
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