Copyright is meant to prevent unauthorised copying of creative works. It applies towritten, artistic and musical works - including computer software. The aim is to ensure that the creators of these works, or those who own the rights to them, receive a fair reward.

Historically, Arab countries have taken a relaxed view of copyright. In many places intellectual property laws are non-existent or are not enforced. There is evidence that this attitude - and particularly software piracy which is rampant throughout the Middle East - has hampered development in the field of technology. Attitudes are beginning to change, however.

Background

World Intellectual Property Organisation Treaty
December 1996

World Intellectual Property Organisation
Bureau for Arab countries

Arab Society for Intellectual Property
An organisation which aims to develop and promote intellectual property protection in the Arab world. It says: "The objective of Intellectual Property discipline, is the promotion of economic, social and cultural progress of society, through the development and monitoring of global rules and treaties of intellectual property rights which motivate innovation and knowledge creation." Website includes sections on intellectual property laws in Arab countries and details of intellectual property treaties and conventions

International Intellectual Property Alliance
See individual country reports

Copyright laws
A summary of copyright laws in the following countries:
Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates
(source: BSA)

www.nopiracy.com
Worldwide, more than 38% of all software in use is illegally copied.

http://www.economy.gov.lb/MOET/E/Default.htm

http://www.wipo.int/arab/en/activities/country_profiles.html

Articles on copyright

Call for copyright protection
The Egyptian foreign minister, Amr Moussa, urged Arab countries to pay more attention to protecting intellectual property rights. ArabicNews, 19 April, 2000

Copyright conference
Lebanon's first conference on intellectual property and authors' rights. ArabicNews, 10 March, 2000

Jordan emphasizes the importance of investment in software
ArabicNews, 1 March, 2000

Cairo witnesses the first meeting of the international Interpol on product forgery
ArabicNews, 18 February, 2000

Microsoft opens office in Lebanon after intellectual property protection
ArabicNews, 19 June, 1999