Copyrights Law in Eritrea
Here’s a summary of copyright law in Eritrea:
📘 Legal Framework
Copyright protection in Eritrea is governed primarily by the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Proclamation No. 132/1995.
The law protects the rights of authors over their literary, artistic, and scientific works.
The Ministry of Information and Culture is responsible for overseeing copyright matters.
🧠 What Is Protected?
Protected works include:
Literary works (books, articles, computer programs)
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, photographs)
Musical compositions and lyrics
Dramatic and choreographic works
Audiovisual works (films, videos)
Sound recordings
Performances of performers
Broadcasts
📅 Duration of Copyright
The copyright term is generally life of the author plus 50 years after death.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works, protection lasts 50 years from the date of publication.
For cinematographic works, sound recordings, and broadcasts, protection is 50 years from creation or publication.
🌍 International Treaties
Eritrea is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Eritrea is not a member of the Berne Convention or the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT).
Eritrea is also not a member of the TRIPS Agreement (WTO).
⚖️ Rights Granted
Moral rights (attribution and integrity)
Economic rights including reproduction, distribution, public performance, broadcasting, and adaptation.
⚖️ Enforcement
Infringement cases are handled by Eritrean courts.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, and seizure of infringing goods.
Criminal penalties may apply in cases of intentional infringement.
Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Copyright and Neighboring Rights Proclamation No. 132/1995 |
| Protected Works | Literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, performances |
| Duration | Life + 50 years; 50 years for anonymous works |
| International Treaties | WIPO member; not a Berne, WCT, or TRIPS member |
| Enforcement | National courts, civil and criminal remedies |
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