Copyright
حق المؤلف
Copyright in the UAE is the exclusive right of an author over their original literary, artistic, or scientific work — books, music, software, audiovisual works, databases, architecture, and more. It is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Protection arises automatically upon creation; deposit with the Ministry of Economy is optional but provides strong evidence of ownership. The rights are divided into moral rights (attribution, integrity — which cannot be assigned) and economic rights (reproduction, distribution, public performance, translation, broadcasting — which can be licensed or assigned). Protection lasts for the author's life plus 50 years for most works. Neighbouring rights cover performers, producers of sound recordings, and broadcasters. Fair use is narrowly defined; piracy attracts criminal and civil liability.
Also in
حق المؤلف في الإمارات هو الحق الحصري للمؤلف على مصنفه المبتكر الأدبي أو الفني أو العلمي — كالكتب والموسيقى وبرامج الحاسوب والمصنفات السمعية البصرية وقواعد البيانات والمصنفات الهندسية وغيرها. ينظمه المرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم 38 لسنة 2021 بشأن حقوق المؤلف والحقوق المجاورة. تنشأ الحماية تلقائياً بمجرد الابتكار، والإيداع لدى وزارة الاقتصاد اختياري لكنه يُقدّم دليلاً قوياً على الملكية. تنقسم الحقوق إلى حقوق أدبية (نسبة المصنف، وصيانة المصنف — غير قابلة للتنازل) وحقوق مالية (النسخ، والتوزيع، والأداء العلني، والترجمة، والبث — قابلة للترخيص أو التنازل). تستمر الحماية حياة المؤلف وخمسين سنة بعد وفاته لمعظم المصنفات. وتشمل الحقوق المجاورة فناني الأداء ومنتجي التسجيلات الصوتية وهيئات الإذاعة. والاستخدام العادل مُعرَّف بشكل ضيق، والقرصنة توجب المسؤولية الجزائية والمدنية.
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Related legislation
Cabinet Resolution No. (47) of 2022 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (38) of 2021 on Copyright and Neighboring Rights
Cabinet Resolution No. (6) of 2022 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No. (11) of 2021 Concerning the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property Rights
Cabinet Resolution No. (36) of 2025 Regarding the Formation and Rules of Procedure of the Industrial Property Grievance Committee
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