Summary:
Copyright protection in Lebanon is governed by Artistic and Literary Ownership Law No. 75 which was enacted on April 3, 1999 and entered into force on June 6, 1999.
Lebanon is a member of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Universal Copyright Convention.
Under normal circumstances, the registration of copyright is completed within a 2-week period, while the relevant registration certificate is issued within 2 weeks of the registration date.
The protection of this law shall apply to every production of the human spirit be it written, pictorial, sculptural, manuscript or oral, regardless of its value, importance or purpose and the mode or form of its expression.
A created work is considered protected by copyright as soon as it exists. However, registration of copyright is recommended in Lebanon, as it can serve as prima facie evidence in a court of law with reference to disputes relating to copyright.
Protection is available to nationals and foreigners for the lifetime of the author and for a period of 50 years after his death. Should the work be published in the name of a company, the duration of the protection shall be 50 years from the date of publication of the work.
Infringements are prosecuted before the Civil Court in Lebanon and infringers will be penalized by a fine or imprisonment.
Requirements
Filing applications:
1. A Power of Attorney simply signed by the applicant.
2. The name, address and nationality of the applicant.
3. A brief description of the copyright.
4. If the applicant is not the author, a legalized deed of assignment is required.
5. Four copies of the work.
