Copyrights Law in Uruguay
Certainly! Here’s an overview of copyright law in Uruguay:
Copyright Law in Uruguay
Uruguay has a comprehensive copyright system that protects authors and creators, and it aligns with international standards through several global treaties.
1. Legal Framework
The main legislation is Law No. 9.739 of December 17, 1937, which has been amended several times—most notably by Law No. 17.616 of January 10, 2003.
Uruguay is a signatory to major international treaties, including:
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
The TRIPS Agreement (as a member of the WTO)
2. Protected Works
The law protects original intellectual creations, including:
Literary works (books, articles, software)
Musical compositions
Artistic works (paintings, photographs, sculptures)
Audiovisual works and films
Dramatic and choreographic works
Sound recordings and broadcasts
Computer programs and databases
3. Rights Granted
Economic rights: The author has exclusive rights to:
Reproduce the work
Distribute copies
Publicly perform or display
Translate or adapt the work
Authorize use by third parties
Moral rights: These include:
The right to be identified as the author
The right to preserve the integrity of the work
These rights are perpetual, inalienable, and non-transferable
4. Duration of Protection
Life of the author plus 70 years after death (amended from 50 years via Law No. 17.616).
For works of joint authorship: 70 years after the death of the last surviving author.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works and corporate works: 70 years from the date of publication.
Related rights (e.g., performers and producers): typically 50 years from performance, recording, or broadcast.
5. Limitations and Exceptions
Uruguayan law allows exceptions for:
Private use
Teaching and academic purposes
News reporting and quotation
Libraries and archives (under specific conditions)
Works in the public domain
Fair use-type provisions exist but are more limited than in U.S. law.
6. Enforcement
Civil and criminal remedies are available.
Penalties may include damages, injunctions, seizure of infringing copies, fines, and imprisonment.
Enforcement is carried out by the national judiciary and supported by institutions like the Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial (DNPI) and AGADU (Uruguayan Society of Authors and Composers).
7. International Relations
Uruguay honors copyright for foreign works under Berne and TRIPS.
The country maintains good compliance with international IP enforcement standards, making it a relatively safe jurisdiction for rights holders.
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