LawNo.

7of2002

ontheProtectionofCopyrightandNeighboringRights
We,HamadBinKhalifaAlThani,EmiroftheStateofQatar,
HavingseentheamendedProvisionalConstitution,particularlyArticles23,34and51
thereof,and
TheQatarPenalCourtpromulgatedbyLawNo.14of1971,asrevised,andtheLawof
CriminalProceduresNo.15of1971asrevised,

LawNo.8of1979onPressandPublication,and

DecreeLawNo.14of1982concerningtheDepositofWorksattheQatarPublicLibrary,

and

DecreeLawNo.16of1993concerningtheorganizationofactivitiespertainingto
advertising,publicrelations,artisticproductionandworksofart,and
DecreeLawNo.22of1993concerningorganizationoftheMinistryofEconomyand
Trade,and
LawNo.25of1995ontheProtectionofWorksofIntellectandCopyrights,and
DecreeNo.11of1997concerningtheestablishmentoftheQatariPublicBroadcasting
Corporation,and
EmiriOrderNo.1of2002concerningtheamendmentoftheCouncilofMinisters,
DecreeNo.50of1986concerningtheaccessionoftheStateofQatartotheArab
AgreementfortheProtectionofAuthorsRights,and
DecreeNo.24of1995concerningtheaccessionoftheStateofQatartotheAgreement
establishingtheWorldTradeOrganizationandtheattachedRelatedMultiLateralTrade
Agreements,and
TheProposaloftheMinisterofEconomyandTrade,and
TheDraftLawsubmittedbytheCouncilofMinisters,and
HavingconsultedAdvisoryCouncil,
HavepromulgatedthefollowingLaw:

ChapterI

Definitions

1.IntheimplementationofthisLaw,thefollowingwordsandexpressionsshallhavethe
meaninggivenforeach,unlessthecontextrequiresotherwise.
Ministry:TheMinistryofEconomyandTrade
Minister:TheMinisterofEconomyandTrade
Office:TheOfficeoftheProtectionofCopyrightsandNEIGHBORINGRights
Work:Anyoriginalartisticorliterarywork
Author:Anyphysicalpersonwhoinventedthework
Year:Calendaryear
Publication:Reproductionofworksorsoundrecordingstosatisfytheneedsofthepublic,
subjecttotheconsentoftheAuthor,copyrightownerorsoundrecordingproducer.
Reproduction:Productionofoneormorecopiesofworkbymeansofprinting,painting,
engraving,photography,informorinanymanner,includingpermanentortemporary
storageinelectronicform.
Audiovisuafwork:Workthatconsistsofaseriesofrelatedimageswhichimpartsthe
impressionofmotion,withorwithoutaccompanyingsounds,susceptibleofbeingmade
visible,andwhereaccoumpaniedbysounds,susceptibleofbeingmadeaudible.
Soundrecording:Anyexclusivelyoralfixationofthesoundsofaperformanceorofother
sounds,regardlessofthemethodbywhichthesoundoraperformanceareembodiedand
regardlessofthemediuminwhichtheworkisembodied;itdoesnotincludeafixationof
soundsaccompanyinganaudiovisualwork.
Producer:Aphysicalpersonwho,orentitywhich,takestheinitiativeto,andhas
responsibilityformakingtheaudiovisualororalwork.
Broadcasting:Communicationofawork,aperformanceorasoundrecordingtothe
publicbywirelesstransmission,includingtransmissionbysatellite.
Acollectivework:Aworkcreatedbyanumberofphysicalpersonsattheinitiativeand
underthedirectionofaphysicalpersonwho,orlegalentitywhich,takesthe
responsibilityofpublishingtheworkunderhisoritsnameprovidedthatitisimpossible
todistinguishtheindividualcontributionofeach.

Workofjointauthorship:Aworkinthemakingofwhichtwoormorepersons
participatedandeachofwhichworkcanbeseparatedanddistinguished.
Workofappliedart:Anartisticcreationwithutilitarianfunctionsorincorporatedina
usefularticlewhethermadehandcraftorproducedonanindustrialscale.
Communicationtothepublic:Thetransmissionbywireorwithoutwireofimagesor
sounds,orboth,ofawork,aperformance,asoundrecordingorabroadcast.
Ownerofcopyright:Oneofthefollowingpersons:
TheAuthor
Wheretheeconomicrightsareoriginallyinvestedinaphysicalpersonotherthanthe
Authororalegalentity,thatpersonorentity.
Aphysicalpersonorlegalentitytowhomtheownershipoftheeconomicrightshas
beentransferred.
Performers:Singers,musicians,andotherpersonswhosing,deliver,declaim,playing,or
otherwiseperformliteraryorartisticworksorexpressionsoffolklore.
PublicPerformance:Performingthework,eitherdirectlyorbymeansofanydeviceor
process,byrecitation,playing,dancing,actingorotherwiseperformingthework.
Performanceisdeemedtobepublicifitcanbeperceivedataplacewherepersons
outsidethenormalcircleofthefamilyanditsclosestacquaintancesareorcanbepresent.
Neighboringrights:Rightsthatprotectperformers,producersofsoundrecordingsand
broadcastingorganizations.
Nationalfolklore:Anyexpressionwhichconsistsofdistinctiveelementsofthetraditional
artisticheritage,originatingordevelopedintheStateofQatarandreflectsitsartistic
heritage,shallbeconsideredasnationalfolklore,includinginparticularthefollowing
expressions:
(1)oralexpressionssuchastales,popularpoetryandriddles;
(2)musicalexpressionssuchaspopularsongsaccompaniedbymusic;
(3)motionexpressionssuchaspopulardances,plays,artisticformsandrituals,whether
ornotincorporatedintomaterialform;
(4)tangibleexpressionssuchas:

(a)productsorpopularartparticularlydrawingswithlinesandcolors,engravings,
sculptures,ceramics,pottery,woodwork,mosaic,metal,jewelry,handwovenbags,
knitting,carpets,textiles,and;
(b)musicalinstruments;
(c)architecturalforms.
ChapterII

ScopeandProvisionsofProtection

2.ProtectionunderthisLawisconferredtoauthorsoforiginalliteraryandartisticworks,
irrespectiveofthevalue,quality,purposeormodeofexpressionoftheseworks.
Protectionshallcoverparticularlythefollowingworks:
(1)books,pamphletsandotherwritings;
(2)worksdeliveredorallysuchaslectures,addresses,sermonsorsimilarworkssuchas
poemsandhymns;
(3)dramaticanddramaticomusicalworks;
(4)musicalworks,whetherornottheyincludeaccompanyingwords;
(5)choreographicworksandpantomimes;
(6)audiovisualworks;
(7)photographicandsimilarworks;
(8)worksofappliedart,whetherhandicraftorproducedonanindustrialscale;
(9)worksofdrawingandpaintingwithlinesandcolors,architecture,sculpture,
decoratedarts,engravings,sketches,designsandthreedimensionalgeographicor
topographicworks;
(10)computerprograms.

Protectionshallalsoextendtothetitleoftheworkifitisoriginal.

3.NotwithstandingtheprotectionprovidedbytheprecedingArticle,thefollowing
derivedworksshallbeprotectedbytheprovisionofthisLaw:
(1)worksoftranslation,summary,alterationexplanationandothermodifications;

(2)collectionofencyclopediasandselectionsifcreativeintheselectionandarrangement
oftheirsubjectmatter;
(3)databasesifcreativeinthearrangementofselectionoftheirsubjectmatter;
(4)Collectionsofworksandexpressionsoffolkloreifcreativebyreasonofarrangements
orselectionoftheirsubjectmatter.
4.TheprotectionprovidedbythisLawshallnotcoverthefollowingworks:
(1)laws,legalprovisions,administrativedecisions,internationaltreaties,official
documentsoranyofficialtranslationthereof.
However,collectionsofsuchmaterialareprotectediftheyinvolvecreativeworkinthe
selectionandarrangementoftheirsubjectmatter.
(2)dailynewsandothernewsofmereinformatorynature.
(3)ideas,procedures,operationalmethods,mathematicalconcepts,principlesandmere
data.However,anyderivativeexpressionthereofshallbecoveredbyprotection.
5.TheprovisionsofthisLawshallapplytothefollowing:
(1)worksofQatariAuthorspublishedwithinoroutsidetheState;
(2)workswhicharepublishedforthefirsttimeinsidetheState,andworkswhichare
publishedforthefirsttimeinanotherStateandthenpublishedinQatarwithinthirtydays
ofthefirstpublicationdate,irrespectiveofthenationalityorplaceofresidenceoftheir
authors;
(3)audiovisualworkswhoseproducerhashisheadquartersorplaceofresidencein
Qatar;
(4)architecturalworksconstructedinQatar,oranyotherartisticworkincorporatedina
buildingoranyotherconstructionsituatedinQatar.
TheprovisionsofthisLawshallalsoapplytoworksprotectedbyaninternational
agreementoraCourtinwhichQatarisaparty,andinaccordancewithitsprovisions.
6.Noworkofanykindshallbepublished,displayedorcirculatedunlessaccompaniedby
thefollowing:
(1)Certificateoforiginindicatingthenameoftheauthororthepersontowhomtheright
ofexploitationhasbeenassigned;

(2)Declaration,bytheimporterortheowner,regardingdisplayorcirculation,specifying
thegeographicareaorplacewithinwhichthedisplayorcirculationisauthorized.
ChapterIII

AuthorsEconomicandMoralRights

SectionOne

EconomicRights

7.TheAuthorortheownerofthecopyrightshallhavetheexclusiverighttocarryoutor
toauthorizeanyofthefollowingacts:
(1)reproductionofthework;
(2)translationofthework;
(3)makingexcerpts,musicalarrangementorothertransformationofthework;
(4)distributiontothepublicoftheworkthroughsale;
(5)rentaltothepublicofaudiovisualworksorcomputerprograms.However,therightto
rentalshallnotapplytorentalofcomputerprogramswheretheprogramitselfisnotthe
essentialobjectoftherental;
(6)publicperformanceofthework;
(7)communicationoftheworktothepublic.
8.Theauthormaytransferanyofhiseconomicrights,providedforbythisLaw,toother
personorpersons.Thetransferoftheeconomicrightshallbeinwritingandshallspecify
explicitlyandseparatelyeachdisposalright,indicatingthedurationofdisposalor
transfer,itsmannerandquantity,thepurposeandtheplace.
9.Theauthorshallabstainfromanyactthatmightpreventtheassigneetousetheright
assignedtohim.Nevertheless,theauthormaywithdrawhisworkfromcirculationor
introduceanymodificationthroughomissionoradditiontoit.Intheeventof
disagreement,theauthorshallbeobligedtopayafaircompensationtotheprejudiced
party.
SectionTwo

MoralRights

10.Theauthorofaworkshallhavethefollowingmoralrights:
(1)Tohavehisnameorpseudonymindicatedonhisworkornottohavehisname
indicatedonhiswork;

(2)Toobjecttoanydistortion,deformationoranyothermodificationofhiswork;

(3)Toobjecttoanydistortionandtoprohibitanyotheruseofhisworkwhichwouldbe
prejudicialtohishonororreputation.
TherightsprovidedforintheprecedingArticlesareimprescriptibleandperpetual.
11.Anydisposaloftheauthorofhisfutureinintellectualproductionshallbeconsidered
asnullandvoid.
12.Anydisposalbytheauthoroftheoriginalcopyoftheworkshallnotbeconsideredas
anassignmentoftheauthorsrights.
13.Theauthorshallhavetheexclusiverighttopublishhisletters.However,hemaynot
exercisesuchrightwithoutthepermissionoftherecipient,wherethepublicationislikely
tobeprejudicialtothelatter.
14.Apersonwhotakesphotographsorofapersonshallbeprohibitedfrompublishing,
displayingordistributingtheoriginalpictureorcopythereofwithoutthepermissionof
thesaidperson;thisprovisionshallnotapplyifthepublicationofthephotographor
portraitwasdoneontheoccasionofapublicevent,orifrelatingtopublicfiguresor
worldknowncelebrities,orifauthorizedbypublicauthoritiesforthepublicinterest.
Thepersonrepresentedinthephotographmayauthorizeitspublicationinnewspapers
andmagazinesandothersimilarpublicationswithouttheauthorizationofthe
photographer,unlessotherwiseagreed.
Theseprovisionsshallapplyirrespectiveofthemethodusedtoproducethephotograph.
ChapterIV

DurationofProtection

15.TheeconomicrightsshallbeprotectedduringthelifeoftheAuthorandforfifty
calendaryearsafterhisdeath.Protectionfororiginal,artisticorliteraryworkshallbefor
thefollowingdurations:
inthecaseoftheworkofjointauthorship,therightsshallbeprotectedforfifty
calendaryearsfromthedateofthedeathofthelastsurvivingcoauthor.
inthecaseofaudiovisualorcollectivework,therightsshallbeprotectedforfiftyyears
asfromthedateonwhichtheworkwasfirstpublished.Forworksthatarenotpublished,
thetermofprotectionshallrunfromthefirstdayofthecalendaryearafterthe
completiondateofthework.
inthecaseofaworkpublishedunderapseudonymorpublishedanonymously,the
rightsshallbeprotectedforfiftycalendaryearsfromthefirstdayofthecalendaryear

followingthedateonwhichtheworkwasfirstpublished.Nevertheless,wherethe
pseudonymusedbytheauthorleavesnodoubtastotheauthorsidentity,thetermof
protectionshallbecalculatedasfromthefirstcalendaryearfollowingtheauthorsdeath.
Thisprovisionapplieswheretheauthorrevealshisidentitybeforetheexpirationofthe
protectionperiod.
16.Incasewheretheprotectionrunsasfromthedateinwhichtheworkwaspublished,
undertheprovisionofthisLaw,thedateofthefirstpublicationshallbeconsidered,
irrespectiveofsubsequentpublications,unlesstheauthorhas,onrepublication,
introducedsubstantialchangesastoconsidertheworknew.Iftheworkiscomposedof
severalpartsor,publishedseparatelyatdifferentstages,eachpartorshallbeconsidered
asaseparatework,incalculatingtheperiodsofprotection.
17.ThemoralrightsprovidedforinthisLawshallbeperpetualandtransferableby
inheritanceaftertheAuthorsdeath.Wheretheauthordieswithoutaninheritor,the
competentMinistryshallundertaketheprotectionofsuchrights.
ChapterV

RestrictionsonCopyrightandNeighboringRights

18.ThefollowingusesofaprotectedworkarepermittedwithouttheAuthors
authorization:
(1)usingtheworkexclusivelyforpersonaluse,throughreproduction,translation,
quotation,musicalarrangement,acting,broadcastlistening,televisionviewing,
photographyorbyanyothermeans;
(2)usingtheworkbywayofillustrationforteaching,throughpublications,broadcasts,
soundorvisualrecordings,filmsorbyanyothermeans,totheextentjustifiedbythe
purpose,providedthattheuseisnonprofitmakingandthesourceandthenameofthe
authorareindicated.
Theusesprovidedforinthetwoprecedingitemsshallnotconflictwithanormal
exploitationoftheworkorunreasonablyprejudicethelegitimateinterestsoftheauthor;
(3)citingparagraphofaworkinanotherworkforthepurposeofillustration,
demonstrationorcriticism,withintheacceptablepracticeandasjustifiedbythepurpose,
providedthatthesourceandthenameoftheauthorareindicated.
19.Thereproductioninanewspaperorperiodical,thebroadcastingorother
communicationtothepublicofanarticlepublishedinanewspaperoraperiodicalon
currentpolitical,economic,social,culturalorreligioustopicsorabroadcastworkofthe
samecharacter,shallbepermitted.Thispermissionissubjecttotheobligationtoclearly
indicatethesourceandthenameoftheauthor,whenknown.

Nevertheless,thisexceptionshallnotapplywheretheauthorizationrightofreproduction
orcommunicationtothepublicisexplicitlyreservedbytheauthor.
Itisalsopermittedtoreproduceanyworkthatcanbeseenorheardthroughinformatory
displayofcurrentevents,photographyortelevisionoranyotherinformationmassmedia,
provideditremainswithintheinformationobjectivedetermined,withanindicationtothe
authorsname.
20.Thereproduction,inasinglecopy,ortheadaptationofacomputerprogrambythe
rightfulownerofacopyofthatcomputerprogramshallbeallowedtotheextentjustified
bytheinitialpurpose,orforthepurposeofpreservationorreplacementofanoriginal
copyoranadaptationthereof;thisrightshallexpireintheeventthatthepossessionofthe
computerprogramceasestobelawful.
21.(1)Thereproductionisallowedforteachingpurposesineducationalinstitutionsthe
activitiesofwhichdonotservedirectorindirectcommercialgain,ofarticles,short
worksorextractsofworks,totheextentjustifiedbythepurposeprovidedthat:
(a)Theactofreproductionisanisolatedoneoccurring,ifrepeated,onseparateand
unrelatedoccasions,and
(b)Thereisnocollectivelicenseavailableforreproductionbyacompetentauthorityin
thecollectivemanagementofrightsofwhichtheeducationalinstitutionisorshouldbe
aware.
(c)Thenameoftheauthorandthetitleoftheworkshallbeindicatedasfaraspracticable
onallcopies.
(2)Anylibraryorarchivewhoseactivitiesdonotservedirectorindirectgainmaymake
asinglecopyoftheworkbyreprographicreproduction
(a)Wherethereproducedworkisapublishedarticle,asummaryoranextractofwork
wherereproductionistosatisfytheneedsofanaturalperson,providedthat:
thelibraryorarchiveissatisfiedthatthecopywillbeusedsolelyforthepurposesof
study,scholarshiporresearch,andifrepeated,onseparateandunrelatedoccasions,and
thereisnocollectivelicenseavailableforreproductionbyacompetentauthorityinthe
collectivemanagementofrightsofwhichthelibraryorarchiveisorshouldbeaware.
(b)Thereproductionispermittedwherethecopyismadewiththeaimofpreservingthe
originalcopyor,whennecessary,replacingalost,destroyedorrenderedunusablecopy
inthepermanentcollectionofanothersimilarlibraryorarchive,providedthat:
itisimpossibletoobtainsuchacopyunderreasonableconditions,

theactofreprographicreproductionisanisolatedcase.

22.Broadcastingorganizationsmayprepare,forthepurposesoftheirbroadcastsandby
theirownmeans,aprovisionalrecordingofaprotectedworktheyareauthorizedto
broadcasttothepublic.Suchacopyshallbedestroyedwithinoneyearfromthedateof
itspreparationwiththeexceptionofrecordingsofdocumentarynature.
23.Anyphysicalpersonmay,withouttheauthorizationoftheAuthor,importacopyofa
workforhisownpersonalpurposes.
24.Thepressorotherinformationmediamaypublish,withouttheauthorizationofthe
author,speeches,lectures,aswellaslegalproceedingsorsimilarworksdisplayedopenly
tothepublic,providedthatthenameoftheauthorisclearlyindicated.Theauthorshall
havetheexclusiverighttopublishsuchworksinoneormorepublicationsorothermeans
ashedeemsappropriate.
25.Musicalbandsorarmsforcesmay,withouttheauthorizationoftheauthor,playor
performpublishedworkinasmuchassuchplayingorperformancedoesnotproduce
directlyorindirectlyanyfinancialrevenue.
26.TherestrictionsoneconomicrightsprovidedforinthisChaptershallapplymutatis
mutandisontherightsofperformers,producersofsoundrecordingsandbroadcasting
organizations.
27.(a)AnyQataricitizenmayobtainfromtheMinisterorhisdelegateanonexclusive
andnonassignablelicenseforthetranslationintoArabicofaforeignwork,publishedin
aprintedformoranyotherform,andforthepublicationofthistranslationinaprinted
formoranyotherform,afterthreeyearsfromthedateofthefirstpublicationofthiswork
andprovidedthatnotranslationofthisworkintoArabicwaspreviouslypublishedin
Qatarbytheownerofthetranslationrightorwithhisconsentoruponthedepletionof
thetranslatededitions.
(b)AnyQataricitizenmayobtainfromtheMinisterorhisdelegateanexclusiveandnon
assignablelicensetoreproduceandpublishanypublishedworkaccordingtothe
followingconditions:
(1)lapseofthreeyearsfromthedateofthefirstpublicationofanypublishedwork
relatedtotechnology,naturalscience,physicsormathematics,oraftersevenyearsfrom
thefirstpublicationofworksofpoetry,theatre,music,artbooksandnovels,orafterfive
yearsfromthefirstpublicationofotherpublishedworks,and
(2)copiesoftheworkwerenotdistributedintheStateofQatartosatisfytheneedsofthe
publicorforschoolorforuniversityeducationbytheownerofthereproductionrightby
orwithhisconsentandforapricesimilartothepricesofsimilarworksintheStateof
Qatar,and

(3)thepublishedcopyissoldaccordingtotheprovisionsofthisparagraphforaprice
whichissimilarorlessthanthepriceprovidedforinitem(2)ofthisparagraph.
(c)Thetranslationlicensesprovidedforinparagraph(a)ofthisArticlearegrantedfor
thepurposesofschoolanduniversityeducationorresearch,whereasreproduction
licenses,provideforinparagraph(b)ofthisArticlearegrantedonlyfortheuseinschool
oruniversityeducation.
(d)Whereatranslationorreproductionlicenseisgranted,theauthoroftheoriginal
translatedorreproducedworkshallbeentitledtoafaircompensationinconformitywith
thecriteriaofeconomicrightsappliedforvoluntarylicensesbetweenpersonsintheState
ofQatarandpersonsintheauthorscountry.
(e)Theconditionsandprocedureofgrantoflicenses,providedforinthisArticle,are
prescribedbyadecisionoftheMinister.
ChapterVI

ProvisionsRelatingtotheWorkaftertheDeathoftheAuthor

28.ThecopyrightprovidedforinthisLawiswhollyorpartlytransferablebyinheritance
orlegalassignment.
29.(1)Whentheauthorincludesinhiswillthenonpublication,orpublicationata
fixeddateforhiswork,hiswillshallberespectedaccordingly.
(2)Wheretheauthor,oroneofthecoauthors,dieswithoutaninheritor,hisshareshall
accruetothosewhoareentitledtoitinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheIslamic
Sharia.
30.Iftheinheritorsorsuccessorsoftheauthordonotexercisetherightstransferredto
them,andiftheMinisterisoftheopinionthatthepublicationoftheworkwouldbeinthe
publicinterest,hemayrequest,byregisteredmail,theinheritorsoftheauthortopublish
thework.Iftheydonotpublishtheworkwithinayearfromthedateoftherequest,the
Ministermayorderthepublicationoftheworkagainstafaircompensationtobepaidto
theinheritors.
31.Incaseofaworkpublishedbytheinheritorsforthefirsttimeafterthedeathofthe
author,theworkshallbeprotectedforfiftyyearsasfromthedateofthefirstpublication.
ChapterVII

ProvisionsRelatedtoSomeWorks

32.NationalfolkloreshallbethepublicpropertyoftheState.

TheState,representedbytheMinistryshallprotectnationalfolklorebyalllegalmeans,
andshallactastheauthoroffolkloreworksinfacinganydeformation,modificationor
commercialexploitation.
33.Incaseseveralpersonsparticipateinthecreationofawork,thecoauthorsshallbe
theoriginalownersoftheeconomicrightsofthatwork.Acoauthormaynot,alone,
exerciserightsofauthorshipunlessallcoauthorsagreetothatinwriting.Anydispute
shallbesettledbythecompetenttribunal.Eachcoauthorshallhavetherighttofilea
caseagainstanycopyrightviolation.Thisrightistransmittabletotheinheritorsofanyof
thecoauthors.
Incaseseveralpersonsparticipateinthecreationofaworkandtheroleofeachofthem
inthejointworkisdistinguishable,eachpersonshallhavetherighttoexploithispart
separately,withoutprejudicetotheexploitationofthejointwork,unlesstheyagree
otherwise.
34.Inthecaseofacollectivework,thephysicalormoralpersonwhoinitiatesanddirects
theworkshallbetheoriginalownerofthecopyright,unlessotherwiseprovidedinthe
contract.
35.Inthecaseofcoauthorshipofamusicalwork,themusiccomposershallhavethe
exclusiverighttoauthorizethepublicperformance,execution,publication,reproduction
orcommunicationtothepublicofthewholework,withoutprejudicetotherightsofthe
authoroftheliterarycomponentofthework.
Thesameprovisionshallapplytochoreographicworksaccompaniedbymusic,shows
accompaniedbymusicandtoanyothersimilarworks.
Theauthoroftheliterarycomponentoftheworkshallhavetheexclusiverighttopublish
hisownpart.Hemaynot,however,usethiscomponentatthebasisoranothersimilar
work,unlessotherwiseagreed.
36.Coauthorshipofanaudiovisualworkincludesthefollowing:
(1)authorofthescenarioorthewrittenidea;
(2)authorofthedialogue;
(3)editoroftheexistingliterarywork,adaptingittotheaudiovisualwork;
(4)composerofthemusicitespeciallycomposefortheaudiovisualwork;
(5)producer,ifheexercisesaneffectivecontrolandprovidespositiveintellectualinput
torealizetheworkinallitsaspects.

Wheretheaudiovisualworkisadaptedorextractedfromanotherpreviouswork,the
authorofthepreviousworkshallbeconsideredasacoauthorofthenewwork.Hisname
shallbeexplicitlymentionedinreferencetotheadaptationorextraction.
37.Ifanyofthecoauthorsofanaudiovisualworkfailstocompletehisassignedpart,the
remainingcoauthorsshallnotbepreventedfromusingthepartalreadyaccomplished,
notwithstandinghisrightsasacoauthorifhisfailuretocompletetheworkwas
justifiable.Wherehisfailurewasofhisownfreewill,withoutjustifiablereasons,heshall
bedeprivedofanyrightsthatmayaccruetohimbyvirtueoftheparthehas
accomplished.
38.Iftheauthorsofaliterarytext,scenarioanddialogue,andtheproducerandmusic
composercollectivelycreateanaudiovisualwork,neitherofthemshallhavetherightto
preventtheproductionordisplayofsuchwork.,withoutprejudicetothemoraland
economicrightsofthedissenter.
Theauthoroftheliteraryormusicalcomponentofaworkmaypublishhisworkby
meansotherthanmovie,theatre,radioortelevision,unlessotherwiseagreed.
39.Theproducershallalwaysbeconsideredthepublisheroftheworkandshallhaveall
publicationrightsofthetapeanditscopies.Heshallact,duringtheperiodofexploitation
ofthetape,onbehalfofthecoauthorsoftheaudiovisualworkandtheirsuccessors,asto
thetermsofthedisplayandexploitationofthetapewithoutprejudicetotherightsofthe
authoroftheliteraryandmusicalworksinpublishingtheirworksbyothermeans,unless
otherwiseagreed.
ChapterVIII

NeighboringRights

SectionOne

RightsofPerformers

40.Performersshallenjoythefollowingrights:
(1)Moralrightswhichwillconsistofthefollowing:
(a)Therighttobeidentifiedassuchwithrespecttotheirperformancesonlyifsuch
indicationwouldcontradictwiththeexploitationoftheperformance;
(b)Therighttopreventanydistortion,deformationormodificationoftheirperformance
thatwouldbeprejudicialtotheirreputation.
(2)Economicrightswhichwillconsistofthefollowing:
(a)tobroadcastormaketheirunfixedperformanceavailabletothepublic;

(b)tomakeafixationorarecordingoftheirunfixedsoundrecordings;
(c)toreproducesoundrecordingscontainingunauthorizedfixationoftheirperformances;
(d)torentsoundrecordingscontainingtheirperformances;
(e)todistributetothepublicthroughthesaleofsoundrecordingscontainingtheir
performances;
TheprovisionsofthisArticleshallnotdepriveperformersfromconcludingcontracts
withbettertermsfortheirperformances.
TherightsconferredbythisArticleshallbeprotecteduntiltheendofthefiftiethyear
followingthefixationoftheperformanceinasoundrecordingorintheabsenceofsuch
fixation,fromtheendoftheyearinwhichtheperformancetookplace.
SectionTwo

RightsofProducersofSoundRecordings

41.Producerssoundrecordingsshallhavetheexclusiverighttocarryoutortoauthorize
anyofthefollowingacts:
(1)directorindirectreproductionofasoundrecordinginanymannerorform.
(2)rentaltothepublicofacopyofthesoundrecording.
(3)makingavailabletothepublicbysale.
Therightsundersubsection(1)ofthisarticleshallbeprotectedfromthepublicationof
thesoundrecordinguntiltheendofthefiftiethyearfollowingtheyearofpublicationor,
ifthesoundrecordinghasnotbeenpublished,fromthefixationofthesoundrecording
untiltheendofthefiftiethyear,followingtheyearoffixation.
SectionThree

RightsofBroadcastingOrganizations

42.Broadcastingorganizationsshallhavetheexclusiverighttocarryoutortoauthorize
anyofthefollowingacts:
(1)rebroadcastingoftheirbroadcasts.
(2)communicationofsuchtothepublic.
(3)fixationofitsbroadcasts.
(4)reproductionofafixationofitsbroadcast.

TherightsunderthisArticleofthepublicationofthesoundrecordingshallbeprotected
fortwentyyearsasfromtheyearfollowingtheyearinwhichthebroadcasttakesplace.
43.TheprovisionofthisLawshallapplytothefollowing:
(1)performancesofQatariperformers.
(2)soundrecordingsofQatariproducersorrecordingsthathavebeenrecordedor
publishedinQatar.
(3)broadcastsorbroadcastingorganizationsthathavetheirheadquartersinQataror
broadcastingorganizationsthatbroadcastthroughatransmitterinQatar.
TheprovisionsofthisLawshallalsoapplyonperformances,soundrecordingsor
broadcastsprotectedbyanyinternationalconventiontowhichtheStateisparty.
ChapterIX

OfficeoftheProtectionoftheCopyrightandNeighboringRights

44.AnofficeshallbeestablishedwithintheDepartmentofCommercialAffairsinthe
Ministry,tobecalledOfficefortheprotectionofthecopyrightandneighboringrights
vestedwiththeenforcementofthisLaw.Forthispurpose,theOfficeshallundertakethe
following:
(1)raiseauthorsawarenesstotheoptimalmeanstoexercisetheireconomicandmoral
rightsandprovidethemwithassistance;
(2)settleanydisputesarisingbetweentheauthors,performersandthirdparties,subjectto
theprovisionsofthisLaw,withtheconsentofthepartiesconcerned.
(3)considerandfollowupissuesrelatedtocopyrightandneighboringrightsatthelocal,
Arabandinternationallevels,andsubmitrelevantproposalsorrecommendations.
(4)examineapplicationstodepositworks,soundrecordings,performancesand
broadcasts,accordingtotheprovisionsofthisLaw.
(5)proposethenecessarymeasurestoimplementtheprovisionsofthisLaw,particularly
theappropriateprocedurestodepositworks,providedforinthepreviousitemofthis
Article,withtheOffice,thepublicationofsuchdeposit,andtheformsorrecordsrelated
tothedeposit.
(6)representthecountryinthemeetings,seminarsandconferencesrelatedtocopyright
andneighboringrightsonthelocal,Arabandinternationallevels.

45.OwnersofcopyrightandneighboringrightsmaysubmittotheOfficeanapplication
todeposittheirworksprovidedforinArticle44(4)ofthisLaw,providedthatthey
submitthefollowingmaterialwiththeirapplications:
(1)thenameofauthororauthorsinthecaseofjointworksorthenameofownersof
neighboringrights;
(2)subjectmatteroftheworkorsubjectmatteroftheneighboringright;
(3)twocopiesoftheworkorthesubjectmatteroftheneighboringright;
(4)comprehensivestatementoftheworksspecificationsorthesubjectmatterofthe
neighboringright;
(5)awrittenstatementbytheauthorsoftheownershipofaworkoraneighboringright
andrightsconferredonthem.
Failuretodepositworkorneighboringrightsshallhavenoeffectonitsprotectionunder
thisLaw.
46.TheOfficeshalldelivertotheownersofrightsortheownersofneighboringrightsa
certificate,specifyingthedateofdeposit.thesubjectmatterandnatureoftheneighboring
rightandthenameoftheholderorowner,subjecttothepaymentoftherequired
certificationfees.
Suchcertificateshallbeanevidenceoftheauthenticityofthedataincludedthereinand
otherpartiesmayproveotherwise.Thefeesforissuingdepositcertificatesshallbe
determinedbyadecisionoftheCouncilsofMinistersupontheproposaloftheMinister.
ChapterX

PreventiveMeasuresandSanctions

47.(a)TheCourtmay,uponapplicationoftheowneroftherightoranyofhis
successorsorhirers,takethefollowingprocedurerelatedtotheinfringementof
copyright:
(1)grantinjunctionstoprohibitthecommittingofinfringement;
(2)ordertheseizureoftheinfringingcopiesoranypartthereof;
(3)seizureofinfringingcopiesandimplementsusedinthereproduction;
(4)orderingtheappropriateindemnification;
(5)seizureofprofitsattributabletotheinfringement.

(b)Ifitisprovedthattheplaintiffistheowneroftherightandthathisrighthasbeen
infringedorsubjecttoanimminentinfringement,theCourtmayorderanyofthe
proceduresprovidedforinsubsection(a)ofthisArticleasaconservatorymeasureto
preventinfringementortopreserveanevidencerelatedtotheinfringement.
(c)incaseswheredelaymayprejudicetheholderoftherightbeyondcompensationorin
caseswherethereisaprovedriskoflosingmaterialwhichconstitutesevidencerelatedto
theinfringement,theCourtmaytakeanyofthemeasuresprovidedorinsubsection(a)
ofthisArticle,asconservatorymeasures,withoutnotifyingthedefendantandinhis
absence,andtheprejudicedpartiesshallbenotifiedbythemeasurestakenbytheCourt
assoonassuchmeasuresareimplemented.
Thedefendantmayrequestahearing,withinthirtydaysafterhisnotificationbythe
measures.TheCourtshalldecide,insuchasession,toendorse,modifyorrepealthe
conservatorymeasure.
(d)thepetitionforconservatorymeasuresshallbesubmitted,accordingtotheprovisions
ofparagraphs(b)and(c)ofthisArticle,withanappropriatefinancialdeposit,toprevent
abuseandsecuredamagesforthedefendant,ifthepetitiondoesnotprovetrue.
(e)uponrequestfromthedefendant,theconservatorymeasurestakenaccordingtothe
provisionsofparagraphs(b)and(c)ofthisArticleshallberepealediftheactionisnot
filedwithinfifteendaysfromthedateoftheCourtsordertotakethemeasures.
(f)inthecaseswheretheconservatorymeasuretakenaccordingtoparagraphs(b)and(c)
ofthisArticleisrepealedbecauseoftheexpiryoftheperiodforfilingtheaction,the
inabilityoftheplaintifforwhereitisprovedthatthereisnoinfringementoranimminent
infringement,theCourtmay,uponrequestofthedefendant,orderappropriate
indemnificationforprejudicecausedbysuchmeasures.
(g)theCourtmayorderthepetitioner,whoarbitrarilyrequestedanyofthemeasures
stipulatedinthisArticle,paymentofadequateindemnificationtothepartyagainstwhom
themeasuresweretaken,tocompensatethedamagessustainedasaresultofsuchabuse.
48.Withoutprejudicetomoreseveresanctionprovidedorunderanyotherlaw,any
personwhopublishesaworkhedoesnotown,withoutacertifiedwrittenauthorization
fromtheauthorofthework,hisinheritors,orhisrepresentative,shallbepunishedby
imprisonmentforaperiodnotlessthansixmonthsandnotmorethanoneyearandwitha
fineofnotlessthan30,000Riyalsandnotmorethan100,000Riyals,orbyeither
punishment.
Shallbesubjecttothesamesanctionanypersonwho,contrarytothefact,claims
ownershipofaworkhedoesnotown.
49.Withoutprejudicetomoreseveresanctionprovidedforunderanyotherlaw,any
publisherwho,whenpublishingawork,modifiesitsrealmeaning,nature,subjectortitle

incontradictionwiththeinstructionsorwishoftheauthorofthework,shallbepunished
withimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingoneyearandafineofnotlessthan30,000
Riyalsandnotmorethan50,000Riyals,orbyeitherpunishment.
50.Noestablishmentwhichengagedistributing,sellingorreproducingcopiesofwork,
shallundertakeanysaleorreproductionofaworkwithoutawrittenauthorizationfrom
theauthor,orhisrepresentative.
Theowneroftheestablishmentwhocontravenestheprovisionofthepreceding
paragraphshallbepunishedwithimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingoneyearand
withafinenotlessthan30,000Ryalsandnotexceeding50,000Riyals,orbyeither
punishment.
51.Thefollowingactsshallbeconsideredillegalactandinfringementsoftherights
protectedunderthisLaw:
(1)manufactureorimportsofanydevicesorinstrumentswithanintentionofusingthem
throughsale,rentalorothermeans,iftheyweredesignedormeanttodeactivateany
devicesorinstrumentspreventingorlimitingthereproductionofawork,asound
recording,orabroadcast,orifmeanttounderminethequalityofthework;
(2)manufactureorimportofanydevicesorinstrumentswiththeintentionofusingthem
throughsale,rentalorothermeans,iftheycanenablethereceptionofcodifiedprograms
broadcastorcommunicatedtothepublicinanyotherway,includingprograms
communicatedthroughsatellite,oriftheyfacilitatesuchtransmissiontopersonsnot
entitledtoreceivesuchprograms.
(3)removeormodifyanyelectronicdatarelatingtocopyrightadministration,without
authorization.
(4)distributeworks,performances,soundrecordingsorbroadcasts,orimportsuchworks
fordistribution,transmissionorcommunicationtothepublic,orprovidethemtothe
publicwithoutauthorization,knowingthatelectronicdatarelatingtocopyright
administrationwereremovedormodifiedwithoutauthorization.
Anypersonwhocommitsanyoftheprecedinginfringementshallbepunishedby
imprisonmentoraperiodnotlessthansixmonthsandnotmorethanoneyear.
52.InallcasesspecifiedinthisChapteritisimperativetoordertheconfiscationofthe
infringingcopiesoftheworkandallimplementsusedinthereproduction.Adecision
mayalsobetakentoclosedowntheestablishmentforaperiodofnotlessthanonemonth
andnotmorethanthreeyears.
Incaseofrecurrence,thesanctionsprovidedforinthisChaptershallbedoubled,andthe
Courtmayalsoorderthepublicationofthejudgmentinoneormorenewspapersatthe
expenseoftheconvictedparty.

53.AllconservatorymeasuresandsanctionsprovidedforinthisChaptershallapplyon
neighboringrights.
ChapterXI

GeneralProvisions

54.TheprovisionsofthisLawshallapplytoworks,performances,soundrecordingsor
broadcastsinexistenceatthetimeofitsentryintoforce,providedthattheprotection
periodhadnotlapsedunderapreviouslegislationorthelegislationinthecountryof
originofsuchworks.
TheprovisionsofthisLawshallnotapply,however,tocontractsconcerningworks
artisticperformances,soundrecordingsorbroadcasts,whichwereconcludedpriortoits
entryintoforce.
55.ThestaffoftheOfficeoftheprotectionofcopyrightandneighboringrights,whoare
mandatedbytheMinister,shallhavethecapacityoflegalofficersforcontrollingand
certifyingoffensescommittedinviolationoftheprovisionsofthisLaw.Forthatpurpose,
theyareauthorizedtoenterandinspectpremiseswheretheworksarepublished,
distributed,reproducedandproduced,andtoexaminedocumentsandrecords,andto
confiscateanymaterial,copiesorthemeansusedinanyactsviolatingthisLaw.
56.TheMinistershallissuethenecessaryregulationsanddecisionsforthe
implementationoftheprovisionsofthisLaw.Untilthatdate,currentregulationsand
decisionsshallcontinuetobeinforcetotheextentconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthis
law.
57.LawNo.25of1995isherebyrepealedaswellasanyprovisionsinconsistentwiththe
provisionsofthisLaw.
58.Allcompetentauthorities,withintheirrespectiveareasofcompetence,areliableto
enforcethisLaw.ThisLawshallenterintoforceasfromthedateofitspublicationinthe
OfficialGazette.
HamadBinKhalifaAlThani
EmiroftheStateofQatar
IssuedintheEmiriDiwan
On27/3/1423A.H.
Correspondingto8/6/2002