Copyrights Law in Namibia
Here’s a summary of Copyright Law in Namibia:
Copyright Law in Namibia
1. Governing Legislation
The key legislation is the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, 1994 (Act No. 6 of 1994).
This Act aligns Namibia’s copyright law with international standards and protects authors’ rights.
2. Protected Works
The law protects original works including:
Literary works (books, articles, scripts)
Musical works
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, drawings)
Cinematographic works and sound recordings
Broadcasts
Computer programs/software
Architectural works
3. Duration of Protection
Life of the author plus 50 years after death.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works: 50 years from the date of publication.
For cinematographic works: 50 years after the first publication.
For photographs: 25 years from creation.
4. Rights Granted
Moral Rights: Right to be identified as author and to object to derogatory treatment of the work.
Economic Rights: Include reproduction, distribution, public performance, communication to the public, adaptation, and translation.
5. Limitations and Exceptions
Use for private and personal purposes
Use for educational and research purposes
Quotation for criticism or review
Use by libraries and archives under specific conditions
6. Enforcement and Penalties
Civil remedies such as damages and injunctions.
Criminal sanctions may apply for willful infringement.
The Namibian Copyright Society (NCS) helps in managing rights and enforcement.
7. International Agreements
Namibia is a party to:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
WIPO Copyright Treaty
TRIPS Agreement (under WTO)
Rome Convention (for related rights)
This ensures international protection of Namibian works and reciprocal protection of foreign works.
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