Copyrights in Bahrain are protected and recognised by the Copyright Law of 2006.
Also, Bahrain follows Berne Convention and WIPO principles.
The Berne Convention is almost the base for modern copyright laws.
Copyright laws are to protect the rights of authors to promote arts and science and enable authors to benefit financially from their works.
As per the law an author is the creator of a copyrightable creation, therefore, any author’s creation that meets the standards of copyright laws is protectable.
We have noticed, many authors are facing trespassing and violations from others.
Legally, if someone infringes your copyright, you have legal grounds to pursue him and claim compensation for financial loss incurred.
If others are using your work without your knowledge or permission, you can stop them and receive compensation for earnings they have made from your work.
The law is clear in this respect to preserve your intellectual creation.
On the other hand, if your work attracted others, you can carefully look into reasonable licensing options to benefit from the use of your creative intellectual work.
Licensing is a legal authorisation to others to use some or all of your copyrighted works.
This could take the form of assignment, as copyrights are assignable provided that any assignment shall be in a written contract.
We know, there are many disputes regarding such contracts, beware and take care.
The Copyright Law affords copyright protection to a wide range of works.
The protection is given to qualifying works upon their creation and this includes originality of the work and its fixation.
In other words, to qualify for the necessary protection, the work must be original and has been fixed through writing, video or any other means to save the work for others to see or hear.
In case of trespass or infringement, the Copyright Law provides for civil and criminal proceedings before competent courts.
Additionally, the aggrieved party is entitled to ask for an order to prove infringement, prevention of the infringement and an order to seize the infringing products.
Copyrights in Bahrain are legally protected and recognised as per the local legislation and the adoption of relevant international conventions.
By this, all talented people are encouraged to produce new work for their benefit and to enrich our spirits and minds.
The author is a legal consultant
awarsama@warsamalc.com
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