Registering IP: Copyright Guide
Our Copyright Guide steers you through the different stages and requirements of the registration process, including various forms and documents.
Copyright protection relates to many kinds of intellectual endeavours like paintings, books, artistic, literary, musical works, etc. Protection is granted upon the creation of the work and does not necessarily require formal registration. However, registration is available on the Ministry of Economy website of UAE for added security and recognition.
Registration Requirements:
Copyright covers things such as poetry and prose, audio and video recordings and streams, video games, paintings, music notation, recorded musical performances, sculptures, photographs, choreographies, architectural designs, and software codes.
A copyright does not protect the actual idea, but the expression of this idea, i.e. its documentation. Usually, the creator of a work owns the copyright, except if:
-
They created the work as part of their job, then it belongs to their employer.
-
The work was commissioned, then it belongs to the buyer.
-
The creator has sold or transferred the ownership, then the recipient becomes the owner.
Required documents
For registration of a copyright at MoE following documents are required:
-
For individuals - a copy of the authors' Emirates ID (both sides)
-
A letter of authorization to register if the Applicant is acting on behalf of a group of authors
-
For companies and government entities - A letter of authorization to register
-
Power of attorney for author or the company if the Applicant is a legal person
For an optimal experience,
please