Copyrights Law in Trinidad and Tobago
Here’s a detailed overview of copyright law in Trinidad and Tobago:
🇹🇹 Copyright Law in Trinidad and Tobago
🔹 Governing Law
The main law governing copyright is the Copyright Act, Chapter 82:80 (1997), as amended.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of international copyright treaties, including:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties
TRIPS Agreement (under WTO)
🔹 What Is Protected?
Copyright protection applies to original works fixed in a tangible form, including:
Literary works (books, articles, computer programs)
Musical works and lyrics
Dramatic works and choreographic works
Artistic works (paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs)
Cinematographic films and audiovisual works
Sound recordings
Broadcasts
Published editions
🔹 Rights Granted
The copyright owner has exclusive rights to:
Reproduce the work
Prepare derivative works (adaptations, translations)
Distribute copies to the public
Publicly perform or display the work
Communicate the work to the public by any means
Rent or lend copies of certain works
🔹 Moral Rights
Authors have moral rights, including:
Right of attribution (to be identified as the author)
Right to object to derogatory treatment of their work
These rights are personal and cannot be assigned but may be waived.
🔹 Duration of Protection
For most works: Life of the author + 70 years.
For films, sound recordings, broadcasts, and published editions: 50 years from the date of creation or publication.
Anonymous or pseudonymous works are protected for 50 years from publication unless the author’s identity is revealed.
🔹 Registration
Copyright arises automatically on creation of the work.
There is no mandatory registration system, but voluntary registration exists and can be used as evidence in disputes.
🔹 Enforcement
Copyright infringement is punishable by:
Civil remedies: injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits.
Criminal penalties: fines and imprisonment for willful infringement.
Enforcement is handled through the courts.
🔹 International Treaties
As a Berne Convention member, Trinidad and Tobago recognizes copyright protection of foreign works without formalities.
The country complies with WIPO and TRIPS standards.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Copyright Act (1997), amended |
| Protected works | Literary, musical, artistic, films, broadcasts, etc. |
| Rights | Economic and moral rights |
| Duration | Life + 70 years (general) |
| Registration | Automatic; voluntary registration |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal penalties |
| International treaties | Berne, WIPO, TRIPS |
RELATED Blog
0 comments