Copyright Registration in UAE
Al Tawakkal offers comprehensive copyright registration services for individuals and businesses in the UAE and internationally. Our expert team helps you secure and protect your creative works from unauthorized use.
Whats is Copyright?
Copyright is the legal protection granted to the creators of original works of authorship, including literary, artistic, and scientific works. It gives the creator exclusive rights to use and distribute their work, preventing unauthorized copying or reproduction. Whether it’s a book, software, artwork, or even a blog post, copyright ensures that creators can control how their works are used and shared.
In simple terms, copyright means the exclusive right to copy a creative work. If you own the copyright of a work, no one else can reproduce it without your permission. Copyright registration is essential for protecting intellectual property and can be done not just in the UAE, but also in the MENA region and globally.
What you can copyright
Software
Copyright protection extends to software that is machine-readable. This ensures that developers have control over the distribution and reproduction of their programs.
Literary Works
Copyright covers novels, non-fiction works, poems, articles, essays, directories, and even computer programs.
Sound Recordings
This includes recorded music, sound effects, and voice recordings. Unique sounds, including animal noises or nature sounds, can be copyrighted by the creator of the recordings.
Online Content
Copyright protection applies to online content, including blogs, website content, and digital writing.
Registered designs provide protection above and beyond any general design rights or copyright.
Copyright Protection in the UAE
The UAE is governed by Federal Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights. Under this law, all original works of authorship are protected, regardless of their form or medium of expression. Here are some categories of intellectual work protected under the UAE’s copyright law:
Books, Articles, and Literature
Computer Software, Databases, and Applications
Lectures, Speeches, and Sermons
Plays, Musicals, and Pantomimes
Audio and Video Works
Architectural Works and Drawings
Photographic Works
Works of Applied Art and Plastic Art
Charts, Maps, Architectural Designs, and Geographical Models
Derivative Works, such as adaptations or translations
However, the law does not protect:
Ideas, procedures, working methods, mathematical concepts, or facts unless expressed in a creative form.
Official documents like laws, judicial rulings, and regulations.
News and works in the public domain.
Even though these works are not automatically protected, their collection, arrangement, and effort involved in compiling them can be protected.
Intellectual Work Registration Process
In the UAE, the Ministry of Economy is the designated authority for registering intellectual works. The process involves submitting an online application through the ministry’s website. Al Tawakkal provides step-by-step guidance to help you register your intellectual works with ease.
Duration of Copyright Protection
The protection period for economic rights under UAE copyright law is as follows:
Lifetime + 50 years: The copyright owner’s rights last for their lifetime, plus 50 years after their death.
Applied Art Works: The copyright for applied art works lasts for 25 years from the first publication date.
This protection ensures that creators, or their heirs, can maintain exclusive rights to their works for a substantial period after creation.
Why Choose Al Tawakkal for Copyright Registration?
Expert Guidance: Our team of legal experts offers comprehensive support for copyright registration in the UAE, MENA region, and internationally.
Global Reach: We help you secure copyright protection across borders, ensuring that your works are safeguarded worldwide.
Streamlined Process: Al Tawakkal simplifies the copyright registration process, guiding you from the initial application to the final approval.
Contact Al Tawakkal Today
Secure the protection of your intellectual property today with the expert services of Al Tawakkal. Let us help you register your copyright and protect your creative works from unauthorized use.
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