According to UAE’s Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and related rights, intellectual work is considered as authentic work in the fields of literature, arts or science, regardless of its description, the way its expressed as well as significance or purpose. The UAE protects the following under their copyright law:
1.Original works of books articles, booklets and other literary works.
2.Computer programs, software and applications, databases and similar works as defined by the Minister of Economy
3.Original Lectures, speeches, sermons and other similar natured work
4.Plays, musicals and pantomimes
5.Musicals with dialogues and speaking as musicals with no dialogues
6.Video works or Audio works or can be audio-visual works
7.Architectural work and architectural plans and drawings
8.Drawings, paintings, sculptures, etchings, lithographs, screen printing, reliefs and intaglio prints and other similar works of fine art
9.Photographic work and the likes
10.Works of applied art and plastic art
11.Plans, maps, charts 3-D modelling for topographical as geographical applications and exclusive architectural designs, etc.Works derived from other works, subject to the condition to the protection given to the work upon which they are derived. The protection shall extend to the title or name of the work is created, as well as the creative concept devised for publishing material.
How To Register a Copyright
The UAE Ministry Of Economy is the authorized body for the purpose of registration of copyright. An online application is to be filled out and submitted through the ministry’s website for the same. A few of the documents required are
An application for the copyright duly filled outPower of Attorney legalised to the UAE consulateA sample of the original workIdentification proofs of authors/ownersFee payment as well as contact details.
Duration of a Copyright
The exclusive right to allow reproduction, importing, exporting distribution, selling or other activities that involve monetary or economic benefits shall be protected throughout the lifetime of the author plus 50 years starting from the first day of the calendar year following their death. However, when it comes to works of applied art, these same rights expire after 25 years following the first day of the calendar year since the work was Also, if the books or poems of an author are published after their death, the validity of the copyright is similarly 50 years.
