The Copyright and Neighboring Rights Law in Oman, based on Royal Decree 65/2008 and consolidated until Royal Decree 132/2008, protects original literary, artistic, and scientific works.
Legal Protection Environment
This law protects literary, artistic, and scientific works regardless of their value, type, form of expression, or purpose. This includes written and oral works, computer programs and databases, musical and dramatic works, audiovisual works, photographs, architectural works, paintings, maps, and works of fine and applied arts. Protection also extends to derivative works as well as collections and compilations where the selection or arrangement constitutes a creative effort. The title of a work is also protected.
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Author Rights and Duration of Protection
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Zadjali, Head of the Legal Office of Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that authors have permanent and inalienable moral rights, particularly the right to be identified as the author in the manner they specify and to prevent any distortion or modification that may harm their reputation or credibility. Additionally, authors have exclusive economic rights to reproduce, translate, adapt, sell, and rent their works in specific cases, as well as the right to public performance, communication to the public, and broadcasting of their works. Any assignment or licensing of these economic rights must be done through a written contract specifying the relevant rights, purpose, duration, and location of the license.
Economic rights are protected for the life of the author and 70 years after their death or 70 years after the death of the last surviving co-author. Audiovisual works, collective works, anonymous works, and applied artistic works, performances, and sound recordings are protected for 95 years from the year after their first legal publication, or 120 years from the year after their completion if not published within 25 years. Broadcasting programs are also protected for 20 years from the year after their first broadcast.
In conclusion, this law provides civil measures including injunctions, seizures, and damages as well as criminal penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both for violations of its provisions.
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