Tougher penalties are being brought to enforce copyright law in Bahrain. These include fining or withdrawing the license of anyone who violates intellectual property rights, according to the Cabinet Affairs and Information Ministry.
Amendments to the copyright law will soon be submitted to the Cabinet, stated Assistant Under-Secretary for Press and Publications Ahmed Al-Sherooqi. “Work is under-way to develop the copyright protection apparatus and to turn the section into a directorate dedicated to the protection of intellectual property rights” he said.
Mr. Al- Sherooqi said Bahrain’s joining the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the measures adopted during the past three years to remove all pirated copies from the local market, were appreciated by WIPO. “The market is now under control and free of various audio, video and printed pirated products” he stressed.
The amendments to the law will provide greater protection to intellectual property rights and are compatible with the World Trade organization law, said Mr. Al-Sherooqi. “The introduction of the amendments to the copyright law will engourage investment in various economic, literary and artistic activities” he said. “Legal protection plays a role in attracting such investments to the markets, unlike those that lack similar legislation.”
Mr. Al-Sherooqi said the law would also enhance Bahrain’s cultural and economic standing and open its markets both regionally and internationally. A copy of the amendments will be forwarded to the WIPO, he added.