Timor-Leste

Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Year of current version:2002
Date of entry into force of original text:May 22, 2002
Date of Text (Adopted):March 20, 2002
Type of Text:Constitution / Basic Law
Subject Matter:Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights), Enforcement of IP and Related Laws, Other, Traditional Cultural Expressions
Notes:
Timor Leste, commonly known as East Timor, was internationally recognized as an independent republic on May 20, 2002 following centuries of Portuguese colonization from the 16th century, and then in the mid-1970, its annexation by Indonesia. On the same day also, the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste entered into force.

The Constitution contains provisions on intellectual property. Section 60 stipulates that “The State shall guarantee and protect the creation, production and commercialization of literary, scientific and artistic work, including the legal protection of copyrights.”

Timor-Leste is in the process of establishing the basic legal instruments that define its legal system. In September 2005, the Civil Procedure Code came into force and in March 2009, the Penal Code. More recently in September 2011, the Civil Code was promulgated by the President. The country does not yet have principal legislation that directly deals with intellectual property rights.
Available Texts: 
English

Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Complete document (pdf) [360 KB]

Portuguese

Constituição da República Democrática de Timor-Leste Constituição da República Democrática de Timor-Leste, Complete document (pdf) [346 KB]

Tetum

Konstituisaun Repúblika Demokrátika Timor-Leste Konstituisaun Repúblika Demokrátika Timor-Leste, Complete document (pdf) [341 KB]

WIPO Lex No.:TL001

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