Copyrights Law in Zimbabwe
Certainly! Here's an overview of Copyright Law in Zimbabwe:
Copyright Law in Zimbabwe
Legal Framework
Copyright is governed by the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05], which came into force in 2004.
The Act aligns Zimbabwe’s copyright system with international standards.
Zimbabwe is a member of various international copyright treaties.
Key Features
Protected Works
Original literary, artistic, and scientific works including:
Books, articles, lectures, poems
Musical works and lyrics
Paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs
Films and audiovisual works
Computer programs and databases
Architectural works
Rights Granted
Moral Rights: Right of attribution and protection against derogatory treatment.
Economic Rights: Right to reproduce, distribute, perform, broadcast, communicate to the public, and make adaptations.
Neighboring rights protect performers, producers of sound recordings, and broadcasting organizations.
Duration of Protection
Copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years after death.
For joint works, 50 years after the death of the last surviving author.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works, 50 years from the date of publication.
For related rights (performers, producers), protection is generally 50 years from the date of performance, fixation, or broadcast.
Registration
Copyright protection is automatic upon creation; no formal registration is required.
Registration can be done voluntarily with the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) to support enforcement.
Infringement and Enforcement
Infringement can lead to civil remedies (injunctions, damages) and criminal sanctions (fines, imprisonment).
Customs authorities may seize infringing goods.
Enforcement is supported through the national legal system and regional cooperation.
International Agreements
Zimbabwe is a member of the Berne Convention.
It is also a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Zimbabwe adheres to the TRIPS Agreement as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
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