President Ratifies First Amendment to the Copyright Act: What You Need to Know

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the First Amendment to the Copyright and Related Rights Act following its passage by the Parliament during the 56th sitting of the 20th Majlis on December 2nd 2024.

Key Features of the Amendments

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• Extended Protection Period: The duration of copyright protection has been increased from 50 to 70 years, offering creators longer security for their intellectual property.
• Expanded Scope of Protection: The law now explicitly protects audiovisual products, audio recordings, satellite, internet, and cable broadcast content. The amendment seeks to address some of the limitations of the previous legislation, ensuring broader coverage for various works, including literature, art, performances, voice recordings, and broadcasts.
• Stricter Penalties: Violations of copyright laws will result in fines ranging from MVR 50,000 to MVR 300,000, with criminal penalties of up to approximately USD 19,500 for intentional infringements.
• Legal Remedies for Creators: Copyright owners now have the right to pursue legal action against infringements or suspected infringements, seek remedies allowed by law, and demand compensation for losses in the relevant courts.

Implementation Timeline

With the President’s ratification, the amendment has been officially published in the Government Gazette. It will come into effect in three months.