Copyrights Law in Turkey
Sure! Here’s a clear overview of copyright law in Turkey:
🇹🇷 Copyright Law in Turkey
📜 Governing Legislation:
Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works No. 5846, originally enacted in 1951 and amended several times (latest amendments around 2021)
Administered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT)
Turkey is a member of major international copyright treaties like the Berne Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), and TRIPS Agreement.
📚 Types of Works Protected:
The law protects original works including:
Literary works (books, articles, software)
Musical compositions
Dramatic and choreographic works
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, photographs)
Cinematographic and audiovisual works (films, TV shows)
Sound recordings
Architectural works
Computer programs
Databases (with original selection or arrangement)
⏳ Duration of Copyright:
General works: Life of the author + 70 years after death (extended from 50 years in 2021)
For joint works, the duration is 70 years after the death of the last surviving author
For anonymous or pseudonymous works: 70 years from publication
For cinematographic works: 70 years from the death of the last surviving among the principal contributors (director, scriptwriter, composer)
🧑⚖️ Rights Granted:
Economic Rights:
Reproduction
Distribution
Public performance
Broadcasting
Adaptation and translation
Making works available to the public
Moral Rights:
Right to claim authorship
Right to object to distortion or modification
Moral rights are inalienable and perpetual
🔐 Ownership:
The author is the initial copyright owner unless a contract or employment relationship assigns it otherwise.
Copyright protection arises automatically upon creation; no registration is required.
⚖️ Enforcement and Remedies:
Infringement may lead to:
Civil remedies: injunctions, damages, seizure or destruction of infringing copies
Criminal penalties: fines and imprisonment for willful infringement
Enforcement handled by Turkish civil courts and criminal prosecution.
🌐 International Treaties:
Turkey is a party to:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
TRIPS Agreement
Rome Convention (for related rights)
📝 Summary Table:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Law No. 5846 (Intellectual and Artistic Works) |
| Protected Works | Literary, artistic, musical, cinematographic, software, databases |
| Duration | Life + 70 years |
| Rights | Economic + Moral |
| Registration | Not mandatory (automatic) |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal remedies |
| International Treaties | Berne, WIPO, TRIPS, Rome |
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