Copyrights Law in United Arab Emirates
Sure! Here’s a summary of Copyright Law in the United Arab Emirates (UAE):
Copyright Law in the United Arab Emirates
Legal Framework
The UAE copyright law is primarily governed by Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights.
The law has been updated to align with international standards and to protect rights holders in a rapidly growing creative market.
Key Features
Protected Works
Original literary, artistic, and scientific works, including:
Books, articles, research papers
Music and lyrics
Paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs
Films, TV programs, audiovisual works
Software and databases
Architectural designs and industrial designs
Also protects broadcasts, performances, and sound recordings (neighboring rights).
Rights Granted
Moral Rights: The right of authorship, integrity of the work, and to oppose distortion or unauthorized modification.
Economic Rights: Rights to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, broadcast, translate, and adapt works.
Neighboring rights protect performers, producers of phonograms, and broadcasting organizations.
Duration of Protection
The copyright duration is the life of the author plus 50 years after their death.
For joint authorship, 50 years after the last surviving author’s death.
For works of applied art, photographic works, and audiovisual works, protection lasts 25 to 50 years depending on the work type.
Neighboring rights typically last 50 years from the date of the performance or first publication.
Registration
Copyright protection is automatic upon creation.
The UAE Ministry of Economy offers a voluntary copyright registration system to help with evidence in enforcement cases.
Infringement and Enforcement
Copyright infringement can result in civil penalties (injunctions, damages) and criminal sanctions (fines, imprisonment).
Authorities have the power to seize and destroy infringing materials.
Courts in the UAE enforce intellectual property rights rigorously, reflecting the country’s commitment to international agreements.
International Agreements
The UAE is a party to the Berne Convention.
Signatory to the WIPO Copyright Treaty.
Complies with the TRIPS Agreement as a WTO member.
Has bilateral treaties to protect copyright with many countries.
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