President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified amendments to the Copyrights and Related Rights Act.
The Parliament passed the bill during the 56th sitting of the 20th Parliament, held on 2 December. The amendment aims to clarify the materials eligible for copyright protection and other related rights, while also defining circumstances under which copyrighted material can be used.
According to the revised law, literary works, technical productions, performances, sound recordings, and broadcasts will be protected under the law. It also prohibits the unauthorised reproduction or distribution of original works or a copy of another individual's work. However, the use of such material for educational purposes is exempt from the law.
If any party infringes the rights outlined in the law, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe they intend to do so, the copyright owner reserves the right to file a case at a relevant court. They also reserve the right to claim damages and compensation for any harm incurred or ongoing. The compensation for violations, whether with intent or due to negligence, may range between USD 648 and USD 6,485 based on the severity of the infringement.
Additionally, the amendment also provides for a criminal penalty of between USD 3,242 and USD 19,455 in cases where a party acts with intent to damage a copyright protected by law. The amendment also extends the protection period for copyright from 50 years to 70 years.
Following the President’s ratification, the amendment has been published in the Government Gazette and will come into effect three months from the date of publication.