In the UAE, Copyright protection can be used to protect Literary works, musical works, artistic works, dramatic works, sound recordings, and computer software. Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2021 governs the Copyright of creative works in the country. Creative work will automatically receive copyright protection upon its creation, but a formal registration will enhance the legal protection of your creative work. Additionally, copyright protection for creative works will be helpful during legal disputes. Copyright protection secures your intellectual property in the UAE, making it beneficial for innovators and business creators.
Importance of Copyright protection for Business in the UAE:
Due to the digitalisation of the industrial sector, it is really easy to share, copy, and distribute the content, and this is one of the major concerns for businesses. Therefore, if you are in software development or the media industry, then copyright protection is necessary to secure your intellectual property. Businesses in the UAE, including those in the fields of art and design, architecture, advertising, entertainment, and publishing, should obtain copyright protection for their work. Copyright registration is necessary to secure the authorship of the original work. Additionally, copyright registration will be beneficial for reproducing the original work.
A business or an individual can secure exclusive rights over the created work; the copyright owner can legally reproduce, distribute, and display their work. Also, if there is any infringement, the copyright can be used as evidence in court. The UAE is also a member of the Bern Convention, ensuring that the country’s copyright law aligns with international standards. Additionally, the UAE is a member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) treaties, which means that copyright protection extends to member countries. So, businesses and creators have the opportunity to protect their work internationally. A copyrighted material can generate revenue for a company through licensing or through sales.
Who will be the Copyright owner?
In the UAE, the creator of the work owns the copyright, except when the work is created as part of their job, in which case the work belongs to the employer. If the work was commissioned, then it belongs to the buyer. An employee can obtain the copyright ownership of the created work if it is mentioned in the contract. Therefore, ensure that you review the work contract to determine the ownership details.
What qualifies a work for copyright protection in the UAE?
To be eligible for copyright protection in the UAE, your work must be original, meaning it was created independently and is not a copy of a previously published work. Additionally, the work must be in a tangible form to be eligible for copyright protection, which means it must be expressed or fixed in a material form, such as a painting or a written novel.
What is not protected by the UAE Copyright law?
In the UAE, you won’t get copyright protection for ideas, procedures, methods or mathematical concepts by themselves. Public domain materials, legal documents, and news are not eligible for copyright protection in the UAE. We have already discussed the requirements for obtaining copyright protection in the UAE; ensure that your work meets these requirements. Also, titles and logos won’t be eligible for copyright protection if they lack authorship, originality, or if they are too functional or generic.
Step-by-Step procedure to register Copyright in the UAE:
Gather the relevant details for the registration.
Complete the application form with the details of your creative work, including a description of the work, its title, and the author’s details. Ensure that the description is accurate and provide a copy of your work. An authorisation letter is needed if filed by an agent.
Submit the application
You can file for copyright registration through the UAE Ministry of Economy. If you are applying online, you can do so through the official website.
Fee payment
Pay the required fee for Copyright registration in the UAE.
Receive the Copyright certificate.
If your application is approved, then you will receive the copyright certificate. This certificate can serve as proof of ownership, which will be helpful in the event of disputes.
Partner with Intellectual Property experts in the UAE to secure your creative work:
In today’s digital world, IP protection is crucial, as content can be easily shared online. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you obtain copyright protection in the country. Business and creators can secure their work by registering and monitoring it. Jitendra Intellectual Property can help business professionals and innovators protect their creative work. We are one of the primary IP service providers in the UAE, and with the guidance of our IP professionals, you can fully leverage the UAE’s IP protection standards. Additionally, we can assist you in taking legal action if someone misuses your creative work in the UAE.
