Copyrights Law in Germany
Here's a comprehensive overview of Copyright Law in Germany:
🇩🇪 Copyright Law in Germany
📜 Legal Framework
Main Law: Urheberrechtsgesetz (UrhG) — German Copyright Act
Administered by:
German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)
Collecting societies (e.g., GEMA for music)
Germany is a party to major international treaties:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Rome Convention
TRIPS Agreement
EU Directives on Copyright, fully integrated into national law
🔍 What Is Protected?
German law protects original intellectual creations, including:
Literary works (books, articles, software)
Musical works and lyrics
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, photography)
Cinematic and audiovisual works
Choreographic works
Scientific works and presentations
Architecture and applied arts
Note: Protection does not require registration.
⚖️ Rights Granted
1. Moral Rights (Urheberpersönlichkeitsrechte):
Right to be named as the author
Right to object to distortions or alterations of the work
2. Economic Rights:
Right to reproduce and distribute
Right to publicly perform or display
Right to communicate the work to the public (broadcast, online, etc.)
Right to adapt or transform the work
⏳ Duration of Protection
Author’s life + 70 years after death
Joint works: 70 years after the death of the last surviving co-author
Anonymous/pseudonymous works: 70 years from publication
Neighboring rights (performers, producers, broadcasters): 50–70 years depending on the type
🧾 Registration
No registration required in Germany.
Copyright protection is automatic upon creation of the work.
Optional deposit with collecting societies for royalty purposes (e.g., GEMA for music).
🛡️ Enforcement and Remedies
Infringement can lead to:
Civil claims: Injunctions, damages, publication of judgment, removal of infringement
Criminal penalties for intentional, commercial-scale violations
Enforcement through German civil and criminal courts
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