Copyright protection in the UAE is essential for protecting your creative work. In the UAE, you can avail yourself of copyright protection for literary works, musical works, artistic works, and computer software. You can protect the code and programs used in the creation of computer software through copyright in the UAE. Due to the digital transformation of the industrial sector, creative work plays a vital role in a business’s success, and computer software is utilised in various industrial sectors. A company or individual could spend a significant amount of time and money developing software. If it is subjected to piracy, it could result in a substantial loss for the creator.
Importance of obtaining Copyright protection for Computer software in the UAE:
In this competitive business world, IP protection is necessary to safeguard your valuable business assets. One of the significant drawbacks of digitalisation is that the digital assets can be easily copied, transferred, and modified. As soon as you distribute your software in the market, your creative work is exposed. Business can protect their unique code and innovative elements of a software by obtaining copyright protection. Still, it won’t protect the underlying ideas, functional concepts, procedures, or works that have fallen into the public domain.
By obtaining Copyright protection for the software, the copyright owner will have the right to create, copy, and distribute the software. In the event of any infringement, the copyright owner can take legal action, including seeking injunctions and compensation for damages.
In the UAE, you can protect the computer software as a literary work under the Copyright law. Federal Law No. 38 of 2021 is the legal framework for Copyright protection in the UAE. In the UAE, you will receive automatic copyright protection during the creation of the work. So, you will obtain protection for the software code and databases. Registration is not mandatory to obtain copyright protection, but it does help secure exclusive rights. You can register your computer software with the Ministry of Economy in the UAE to obtain exclusive rights, control usage, and take legal measures to act against infringement.
By registering your Software, you will have a solid legal basis to prove ownership of the developed software. Copyright registration can be used as legal evidence in court in the event of any legal disputes. The duration of copyright protection for a software will be the lifetime of the creator plus 50 years after their death. If a company develops the software, the protection will last for 50 years.
Benefits of obtaining copyright protection for software in the UAE:
Businesses can enhance their brand value through copyright registration in the UAE, as it provides legal recognition for their creative work, which is beneficial in attracting investors. The UAE is a member of the Berne Convention, so its copyright rules and regulations align with international standards. In the event of infringement, the infringer will be penalised with a minimum of three months’ imprisonment and a fine of a minimum of AED 50,000.
The counterfeit copies will be removed or destroyed, and the device or equipment used in the offence will be confiscated. There are different types of Software piracy, such as counterfeiting, internet piracy, and end-user piracy. To protect your software from piracy and to take legal action, it should be registered.
The UAE has taken adequate measures to address copyright infringement in the digital space, including the distribution or modification of copyrighted content. UAE copyright law allows the owner to take legal actions against the unauthorised usage, such as obtaining a court order to block websites or online platforms that facilitate piracy.
Additionally, the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) actively monitor online platforms and takes immediate action in cases of infringement. To enhance copyright protection in the digital sector, the UAE supports the use of technologies such as Digital Rights Management (DRM). This tool will be helpful for businesses or professionals in the software development sector to control the access, usage, and distribution of their digital assets.
How can Jitendra Intellectual Property protect your computer software from piracy?
A business should protect its digital assets to stay competitive and uphold its brand value. A creative work will have its value when it is protected and enforced in case of infringement. Jitendra Intellectual Property is one of the primary IP service providers in the UAE. Our professionals are well-versed in the UAE IP law, especially in the protection of digital assets. We can help you with IP registration, monitoring, and enforcement.