The Lebanese government has destroyed thousands of pirated software disks. This measure comes in context with the enforcement of the upcoming Intellectual Property Law (no. 75 for the year 1999), which was passed by the Lebanese parliament last month.
The new law prohibits copyright piracy and infringement and holds the infringer liable to up to three years of imprisonment and a fine between US$ 13,000 and 33,000. The law does permit fair use copying for students and non-profit organizations. However, the Lebanese parliament has submitted an:
'Expedited draft Law' that suspends the implementation of some provisions of the IP law
The Lebanese parliament has submitted a draft law aiming to suspend the implementation of some provisions of Law no. 75 dated April 3, 1999 regarding literary and artistic property protection. The sole article of the draft law states that the implementation of the provisions of the articles below be postponed for six months following the implementation of the law:
Article 87: Penalty by imprisonment from one month to three years and or a fine from LL 5,000,000 (US$ 3,225.80) to 50,000,000 (US$ 32,258.00) concerning broadcast, radio, and television transmission piracy and infringement. The penalty is doubled for repetition.
Article 88: Penalty by imprisonment from one month to three years and/or a fine from LL 5,000,000 (US$ 3,225.80) to 50,000,000 (US$ 32,258.00) for facilitating or arranging for the receipt of pirated and infringing broadcast, radio, and television transmissions. The penalty is doubled for repetition.
Article 89: Legal action for the above infringements may be taken either through the public prosecutor or upon request from the injured party, or the head of the Intellectual Property Protection Department.
The law will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette