Encourages people of determination to participate in cultural life

6 new amendments to protect intellectual works in the UAE

The Law on the Protection of Author and Intellectual and Creative Works, pursuant to the amendments of Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 regarding copyright and related rights, which was approved by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, included 40 laws, among the largest legislative changes of its kind in the history of the country. A number of important amendments aimed at keeping pace with developments in the fields of protection of intellectual works worldwide, and working to provide protection for the author's intellectual works in several areas such as collective management of copies and music. These amendments come in line with the state’s strategy in seeking to develop and amend legislation in line with the latest international practices, and ensure intellectual protection that affects the creative aspect such as the protection of copyright and neighboring rights, which contributes effectively and directly to the development of the country’s creative economy and enhances its advanced position in global indicators in the protection of property intellectual.

  • The amendments included exceptions to copyright rules to allow the copying and distribution of published works in accessible ways for people of determination with visual impairments, in line with the state's accession to the Marrakesh Institutes.

    These exceptions ensure that people of determination are given the opportunity to participate in cultural and creative life and benefit from the benefits of scientific progress.

  • The amendment allowed the Ministry of Economy to grant the publishing right to change or enlarge the font of any smart application, reader pen, or book into Braille, or an audio medium to suit this category, with the approval of the Ministry and without the need for the author’s approval or publisher or compensation, in order to serve this purpose. The category of people with visual disabilities, in accordance with controls to ensure that these means are directed to people with visual disabilities and that this exception is not used to circumvent and infringe on the rights of the author and publisher.

  • The amendments added an article on compensating the author or the right holder in the event of an infringement of his moral and financial rights in accordance with the general rules for damage to the right holder, whether moral or financial, as the previous law imposed fines and penalties on the infringer and did not refer to the author’s civil compensation.

  • The law creates a committee to look into disputes and grievances related to copyright in order to protect the author from any infringement of his rights, before resorting to the court, with the aim of facilitating procedures and speedy settlement of disputes, and it is one of the specialists, and with the possibility of challenging its decisions in the state courts.

  • Raising the ceiling of penalties to start from twenty thousand dirhams and reach five million according to the nature and type of the infringement.

  • The financial rights of the author provided for in this law are protected for the duration of his life and 50 years after his death and the financial rights of performers are protected for 50 years.

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