Copyright bill passed paving way for MVR 300,000 fine for violations

Parliament, on Monday, has passed the bill to amend the Copyright Act – paving the way to impose fines up to MVR 300,000 for violations of the law.

The government-backed bill was submitted to Parliament with the sponsorship of ruling PNC’s Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha.

Parliament accepted the bill by the unanimous votes of 82 MPs in attendance on July 9^th.

The report formulated by the Social Affairs Committee following their review of the bill was presented before the floor at Monday’s parliamentary sitting subsequent to which it was debated upon. The bill was later passed by the unanimous votes of 57 MPs in attendance.

The amendment seeks to protect the copyright of a product regardless of the quality or content of the product or how it is presented.

The bill seeks to protect the original proprietor of a product from unauthorized use of their contents or products by third parties, by way of sale or rent.

Besides extending the copyright protection period, the amendments also include adding a clause under the article that lists copyrighted content, to include audio visual products, audio recordings, satellite, internet, and cable broadcast content.

The proposed amendments also seek to fine offenders, depending on the degree of the offense, between MVR 50,000 and MVR 300,000.