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Copyright Act, 2005, Ghana

Act 690

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Latest Version in WIPO Lex This text has been amended and a consolidated version is not yet available in WIPO Lex.  See Related Legislation / Is amended by below
Details Details Year of Version 2005 Dates Published: June 3, 2005 Assented: May 17, 2004 Type of Text Main IP Laws Subject Matter Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights), Enforcement of IP and Related Laws, Traditional Cultural Expressions, IP Regulatory Body Notes For provisions on the protection of the expressions of folklore, see Sections 4, 17, 44 & 59-64.

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 Copyright Act, 2005

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Copyright

1. Work eligible for copyright 2. Ideas, concepts excluded from copyright 3. ' Ghana Government and international body copyright 4. Folklore protected 5. Economic rights of authors 6. Moral rights of authors 7. Employed authors 8. Public benefit works 9. Transfer ofcopyright

10. Obligation of producers 11. Notice of protection of rights of producers

I Duration of Copyright

12. Duration of copyright in works of individuals 13. Duration of copyright in works of bodies corporate 14. Duration ofcopyright in anonymous works 15. Duration ofcopyright in audio-visual works 16. Duration ofcopyright in sound recording 17. Duration ofprotection for expressions of folklore 18. Duration ofmoral rights

Permitted uses of Copyright 19. Permitted use of work protected by copyright 20. Reproduction and adaptation of computerprograrns 21. Permitted use of protected copyright work by library or archi ve 22. Permitted use of work or publication of portrait in public interest events 23. Ephemeral recordings

Copies of Sound Recordings. Mechanical Reproduction Riglus (~! Composers

24. Production of copies of sound recordings

Enforcement Provisions 25. Security device for sound und audio-visual recording 26. Importation ofpre-recorded music and other copyrigh: works 27. Levy on devices usedfor reproducing l;upynglll material,

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Protection of Performers and Broadcasting Organisations

28. Performer's rights 29. Duration of performer's right 30. Performers right to contract 31. Moral rights of a performer 32. Authorisation relating to broadcast 33. Broadcasting organisations 34. Programme canying signals 35. Limitationoneconomicrightsofperformersand broadcastingorganizations 36. Duration of rights of broadcasting organization 37. Public performance and use of copyright work

General Provisions

38. The public domain 39. Registration of works 40. Presumption of authorship 41. Infringement of copyright and related rights 42. Copyright and related rights offences 43. Penalty for copyright offence 44. Offences related to folklore 45. Offences by body of persons 46. Compensation to victim of offence and forfeiture 47. Civil remedies 48. Settlement of disputes 49. Collective administrationsocieties 50. Copyright monitoringteam 51. Establishment of the CopyrightTribunal 52. Composition of the Tribunal 53. Functions of theTribunal 54. Tenure of office of members ofthe Tribunal 55. Allowances of members 56. Proceedings of theTribunal 57. Rules of procedure 58. Appeal

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

National Folklore Board

59. National Folklore Board 60. Tenure of members of the Board 61. Allowances formembers 62. Meeting of the Board 63. Functions of the Board 64. Use of folklore

Administration, the Copyright Office and Miscellaneous Matters

65. Establishment of the Copyright Office 66. Object of the Copyright Office 67. Governing body 68. CopyrightAdministrator 69. Appointment of staffof the Copyright Office 70. Funds of the Copyright Office 71. Budget 72. Accounts and audit 73. Annual report 74. Regulations 75. Minister's power of delegation 76. Interpretation 77. Repeal and saving 78. Retroactive protection

Act 690

THE SIX HUNDRED AND NINETIEIH

ACT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC

OF GHANA

ENTITI.ED

THE COPYRIGHTACT,2005

AN ACT to replace the Copyright Law, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110); and bring the provisions oncopyright andtheCopyright Office inconformity withtheCon­ stitution andtoprovidefor relatedpurposes.

DATE OF ASSENT: 17thMay, 2005. ENACTED bythePresident andParliament.

Copyright

Work eligible for copyright 1. (l) An author, co-author or joint author of any of the following works is

entitledto thecopyright andprotection affordedto that workunderthisAct (a) literary work, (b) artistic work, (c) musical work, (d) soundrecording, (e) audio-visual work, (f) choreographic work, (g) derivative work,and (It) computer software or programmes.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(2) Despite subsection (1), a work is not eligible for copyright unless (a) it is original incharacter, (b) it hasbeenfixed in any definite mediumof expressionnow known

or later to be developed with the result that the work can either directly or with the aid of any machine or device be perceived, reproducedor otherwisecommunicated,and

(e) itis (i) created by a citizen or a person who is ordinarily resident

in theRepublic, (ii) first published in the Republic and in the case of a work

first published outside the Republic is subsequently published in the Republic within thirty days of its publi­ cation outsidethe Republic,or

(iii) a work in respectof whichthe Republic has an obligation under an international treatyto grantprotection.

(3) Theeligibility of a workforcopyrightisnotaffected by itsartistic quality, the purposeof the authorin creating it or by the manner or form of its expression.

(4) For thepurposesof thissectiona workisoriginal if it is theproductofthe independenteffortof the author.

Ideas,concepts excluded fromcopyright 2. Copyrightshallnot extend to ideas, concepts,procedures,methodsor other

thingsofa similarnature.

Ghana Government andinternational bodycopyright 3. The copyrightof work shallvestin

(a) thePresidenton behalfofandin trustfor thepeopleof theRepublic; or

(b) aninternational body if theworkis madeby or underthe direction orcontrolof thePresidenton behalfof and in trustfor the peopleof the Republic or a specifiedinternationalbody.

Folklore protected 4. (1) An expressionof folklore is protectedunderthisAct against

(a) reproduction, (b) communication to the public by performance, broadcasting,

distribution by cable or other means,and (c) adaptation, translation andothertransformation.

(2) The rightsof folklore are vestedinthe Presidenton behalfof andin trust for thepeople of the Republic.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Economic rights of authors 5. Theauthorofanyprotected copyright workhastheexclusiveeconomic right

inrespect ofthework todoorauthorise thedoing ofanyofthefollowing: (a) thereproduction of the workin any manneror form, (b) thetranslation, adaptation, arrangement oranyothertransformation

of the work, (c) thepublic performance, broadcasting andcommunication ofthe work

tothe public, (d) the distribution to the publicof originalsor copiesof the workby

wayof first salesorotherfirsttransferof ownership, and (e) thecommercial rental tothepublic oforiginals orcopiesofthework.

Moral rights of authors 6. (1) In addition to theeconomic rightsreferredto in section5, theauthorof

protected copyright workhasthesolemoralright (a) toclaimauthorship of theworkandinparticular to demandthatthe

name or pseudonymof the authorbe mentionedwhen any of the acts referredto in section5 are done in relationto the work,and

(b) to object to and seek relief in connection with any distortion, mutilation or othermodification of the workwhere thatactwould beorisprejudicial tothereputation of theauthoror where thework is discredited by theact.

Employed authors 7. In the absence of anycontractto thecontrary, theeconomicrightof a work

shall vest inanemployeroraperson whocommissions theworkwhere theemployed or commissioned authorhascreatedthe workin the courseof the employment or commission.

Public benefit works 8. (1) Therights referredto insections 5and6 of thisAct shallnot vestin any

person in respect of the following works, (a) anenactment, (b) a decision made by a court or tribunal established under any

enactment fortheadministration ofjusticein theRepublic, (c) a report made by a commission of enquiry appointed by the

Government oranyagency of theGovernment andpublished by the Government, and

(d) except where news is disseminated by the private media,news, namely a reportoffresh events orcurrentinformation madeby the media, whether published in written form, by broadcast, or communicated to thepublic byanyothermeans.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(2) The President is the trustee for the public of the works specified in subsection (1)otherthanworks authored by theprivatemedia underparagraph (d) ofthatsubsection.

lransferofcopyright 9. (1) Theownerofcopyright maytransfertheeconomic rights in section 5 to

another person eitherinwhole orinpartbutthetransfer whether inwholeor inpart shallnotinclude themoral rights referred to in section 6.

(2) A contract whichrequiresthe total transfer of the rightsreferred to in section 6 shallbe limitedinscopeto the useprovidedfor in thatcontract.

(3) Copyright maybe transferred byassignment, testamentary disposition or operation oflaw.

(4) An assignmentofcopyright shall be inwriting andsigned bytheownerof the copyrightor by the personauthorised by the owner of the copyright for the purpose.

(5) A licencetodoan actthatfallswithincopyright maybe oral,written or inferred fromconduct.

(6) In the caseofjoint authorship of a work,anassignment or a licence for theworkshallbe subject to the authorisation of thejoint authors.

(7) Whereaworkisofjointauthorship andoneofthejointauthors withholds consenttoanassignment orthegranting of a licence, thematter shall be referred to theCopyrightAdministrator to determine whether ornotconsent should be granted inrespectof the assignment or licence andtheconditions for thegrant.

(8) Apersondissatisfied withthe decisionof the Copyright Administrator mayapplyto the HighCourtforreview.

(9) An assignment, a licence or a testamentary disposition maybe madeor grantedinrespectof anexisting workor futurework.

Obligation of producers 10. (1) The producerof a soundrecording or audiovisual workshallstateon

the label of the soundrecording oraudiovisualworkor onitscontainer (a) thenameof the authorand thoseof themainperformers, (b) thetitleof thework, (c) theyeartheoriginal matrixwascut, (d) the individual orcorporate nameor thedistinguishing markof the

producer, and (e) that the rights accruing to the producer under this Act are

reserved. (2) Choirs,orchestras andcomposersshallbe referredto by theirproper

namesorbythename ofthe leaderforthe purpose ofparagraph (a) ofsubsection (1).

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(3) Copyright protection of aworkshall notdepend ontheobligation ofproducers specified in thissection

Notice of protection of rights of producers 11. (1) Anotice shall be printedoncopiesof soundrecordings or audiovisual

workmade forcommercial purposes which shall include theyearoffirstpublication of thesoundrecording or audiovisual work.

(2) The notice shallbeplacedin a mannerthatgivesreasonable noticeof claimofprotection oftherights of theproducer.

(3) If thenotice on thecopies ofthesoundrecording, audiovisual workor theircontainers doesnotidentify theproduceror licencee byname,description.or trade mark, it shall indicate the name of the person who owns the rights of the producer.

(4) If thenotice onthecopiesof thesoundrecording, audiovisual workor theircontainersdo notidentify theprincipal performers, itshall indicate thenameofthe person whoownstherightsoftheperformers.

(5) Non-compliance withtheprovisions ofthissection bya producerdoes notdeprivetheproducer of copyright protection. '

(6) A person mayusefixations or reproductions madeingoodfaith before thecommencementofthis Actifmade in accordance withitsprovisions. .

Duration of Copyright

Duration of copyright in individuals 12. (1) Therights oftheauthorreferredto insection 5areprotected during the

lifeof theauthorandseventy yearsafterthedeath oftheauthorunlessthe.contrary isstatedin thisAct.

(2) Wherea workisjointlyauthored, therightsofthe authorreferred toin section 5 areprotected during thelifeof thelastsurvivingauthorandseventy years afterthedeathof thatauthor.

Duration ofcopyright in bodies corporate 13. Where the copyrightin a work is ownedby a publiccorporationor other

body corporate, the term of protection shalt be seventy yearsfrom the date on which the workwaseithermadeorfirstpublished, whicheverdate is the later.

Duration of copyright in anonymous works 14. Wherea workispublished anonymously orundera pseudonym, the rights

of the authorreferredto in section 5 are protecteduntil theexpiration of seventy

8

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

yearsfromthe dateon which theworkwaseithermade,firstmade available to the public,or firstpublished, whicheverdateis the later, but if theidentity of theauthor is known orisno longerindoubtbeforetheexpiration of thatperiod,therightsof the author shall be protected during the life of the author and seventy years after the deathof the author.

Duration of copyright in audio-visual works 15. In the case of an audio-visual work, the rights of the author referred to in

section 5 are protected until the expiration of seventy years from the date of the makingof the work,orwherethe work is madeavailableto the publicduring that period with the consent of the author, until the expiration of seventyyearsfrom the date on which the work was eithermade, firstmade available to the public,or firstpublished, whicheverdate is the later.

Duration of copyright in sound recording 16. In the case of a sound recording, the rights of the author referred to in

section5areprotectedfromthepublicationofthesoundrecording until theexpiration of seventy years after the year of publication or, ifthe sound recording has not

i beenpublishedfromthefixation ofthesoundrecording, until theexpiration ofseventy yearsafterthe yearof fixation.

Duration ofprotection for expr~'9'l~ .Qffolklore 17. The rights vestedin the Presrde1if~behalfof and in trustfor thepeopleof

i theRepublicin respectof folkloreundersection4 exist in perpetuity.

·Duration of moral rights . ;, :,i~i\'> .. ' · 1S; The moral rights of authors'iinder section 6 exist in perpetuity and these ;rightsshallbe enforceableby the author, duringthe lifetimeof the author, andafter theauthor's death,by the author's successorswhetheror not the economicrights

,vestedin theauthorundersection5 arestillvestedin the authoror the successor in : titleof theauthor.

Permitted uses of Copyright

Permitted use of work protected by copyright 19. (1) The useof a literaryor artistic workeitherin theoriginallanguage or in

translation shallnot be an infringementof the right of the author in that work and · shallnot requirethe consentof the ownerof thecopyrightwhere the use involves

(a) the reproduction, translation, adaptation, arrangement or other transforination oftheworkforexclusive personal useofaperson, if the useris an individualand theworkhas been madepublic,

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(b) subject tosubsection (2) ofthis section, theinclusion with anindication ofthesource andthe name oftheauthorofquotations fromthework inanother work, including quotations fromarticles innewspapers or periodicals in the form of press summaries, if the workfrom which thequotations aretakenhasbeenmade public,

(c) subject to subsection (3) (i) the utilisation oftheWaKbywayofillustration inpublications,

broadcasts of soundor visual recordings for teaching, to theextentjustifiedforthepurposes, or

(ii) the communication for teaching purposes of the work, broadcast foruseineducational institutions, or

(iii) theutilisation ofthe workforprofessional trainingorpublic education,

if theworkhasbeenmadepublic; (d) inthecaseof

(i) anarticle published inoneormorenewspapers orperiodi­ calsoncurrent economic, political orreligious topics, or

(ii) a broadcaston current economic, politicalor religious topics,

thereproduction ofthearticlein a newspaper orperiodical or the broadcast orothercommunication tothepublic where astatement ofthesource is provided unless the articleorbroadcast whenfirst published or made was accompanied by an express condition prohibiting itsusewithout consent,

(e) the reproduction or makingavailableto the public by meansof photographic works, audio-visllal worksor othermeansof com­ munication of anyworkthatcanbeseenor heard in thecourse of thereporting offresh events ornewinformation, if

(i) theworkis reproduced or madeavailable for thepurpose of reporting by a news mediumof fresh events or new information, and

(ii) theuseof theworkdoesnotextendbeyond thatjustified forthepurpose of keeping the public informed ofcurrent events,

(f) thereproduction of works of art~r architecture inan audio-visual work forcinema ortelevision orinabroadcast bytelevision andthe communication to the public of any of those works of art or architecture if those works are

(i) permanently located ina placewhere they canbe viewed bythepublic, or

10

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(ii) includedinanaudio-visual workforcinemaortelevision only by wayofbackground or asincidental to essential matters represented,

(g) subject to subsection (4), the reproduction in the media or the communication tothepublic of

(i) political speech deliveredinpublic, (ii) speech delivered inpublic during legal proceedings, or

(iii) lecture,address, sermonor otherworkof a similarnature delivered inpublic,

where the use by reproduction or communicationto the public is exclusively for the purpose of reporting fresh events or new information.

(2) The permission undersubsection (1)(a) shall notextendtoreproduction (a) ofaworkofarchitecture intheformofbuildingorotherconstruction; (b) in the formof reprographyof a whole or of a substantialpartof a ~rofmusicalworkin theformof notation;

(c) ofthewhole orofasubstantial partofadatabase indigital form; and (d) of a computerprogram,except as providedin section 16.

(3) Paragraph (b) ofsubsection (1)doesnotapply inrespect ofanyparticular quotations unlessthequotations referredto in thatparagrapharecompatible with fairpracticeand the extentof thequotationsdoesnot exceedwhat is justifiedfor thepurposeof the workin whichthe quotations are used.

(4) Paragraph (c) ofsubsection (1)doesnotapply inrespect ofanyparticular workunlessthe use referredto in thatparagraphis compatiblewith fair practice andthe source of the work used and the name of the author are indicated in the relevant publication, broadcast or recording.

(5) Paragraph (g) ofsubsection (1)doesnotapplyunless thereproduction referred toin thatparagraph andthenumberofcopiesmadeinthereproduction are limited towhatisrequired intheparticular circumstances.

(6) Despitetheprovisions of section 5(a) the temporary reproduction of a work is not an infringementof copyright if the reproduction is made in order to makea digitally storedworkperceptible or in theprocessof a digital transmission

(a) bya personwho orentity that is authorisedfor thatpurposeby (j) theownerof thecopyright; or

(ii) operation oflaw; and (b) as an accessory that occurs during the normal operation of the

11

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

equipment used andwhich is (i) automatically deleted; and (ii) incapable of beingretrievedfor anyother purpose than"

those referred to in thissubsection.

Reproduction and adaptation ofcomputerPJ."Ograms 20. (1) The reproduction, in a singlecopy,or the adaptation of a computer

program by the lawful owner of a copy of that computer program is not an infringement ofcopyright if thereproduction oradaptation isnecessary for

(a) the useof thecomputer program withacomputer forthepurpose andextentforwhich thecomputerprogram hasbeenobtained; or

(b) archival purposeandforthereplacementofthelawfullyownedcopy of the computerprogramin the event that the said copy of the computer program islost,destroyed or rendered unusable.

(2) A reproduction or anadaptation of a computerprogramshallnotbe used foranyotherpurpose than those specified insubsection (1)andareproduction oradaptation shallbedestroyed when thecontinuedpossession ofthereproduction oradaptation becomes unlawful.

Permitted use ofprotected copyright work byHbrary and archive 21. (1) Alibrary andarchive withactivities thatarenotforgainmay, without

theauthorisation oftheauthororotherownerofcopyright, make a single copyof theworkbyreprographic reproduction.

(2) Areprographic reproductionupder subsection (1)maybe made when theworkreproduced is a published article, othershortworkor shortextractof a workand where the purpose of the reproduction is to satisfythe requestof an individual.

(3) Thelibrary orarchive shall under subsection (1) ascertain thatthecopy is to be usedsolelyfor the purpose of study, scholarship or privateresearch.

(4) Theactofreproduction undersubsection (1)shall be an isolated case which shall occuronseparate andunrelated occasions andshalloccur where

(a) thereis nocollective licence l:I,vailable underwhichcopiescanbe made,or .

(b) thecopyis made inorderto preserve or replace acopywhich has been lost,destroyedorrendetedunusablein thepennanentcoUection of similarlibraryor archiveif it is impossible to obtainthecopy under reasonable conditions.

(5) Where a library or, archive requires morethana single copyofa work byreprographic reproduction, thepermission for this shall beobtained fromthe author, otherownerofcopyright orfromanappropriate collective administration society authorised bythepublisher.

12

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(6) Theprovisions of thissection aresubject totheinterest ofthepublisher, authoror therelevant collectiveadministration society.

Permitted use of work or publication ofportrait in public interest events 22. (1) The accidental or incidentalinclusionof a workin the reportingof a

newsbroadcastof fresh eventsor ofnewinformation is notaninfringement of the rightsof theauthorin thework.

(2) The publication of theportraitof aperson is notan infringement ofthe rights of the author or other person having an interest in the portrait where the publication is relatedto scientific, educational orcultural purposes in general or to factsoreventsofpublic interestoreventsthathaveoccurredin public.

Ephemeral recordings 23. (1) Whereaworkisbroadcast, thebroadcastermaymakearecording ofthe

broadcastwiththebroadcaster's ownfacility andmayproduce copies oftherecord­ ingfor thebroadcasters own use.

(2) Subject tosubsection (3)ofthissection, thecopies oftherecording shall be destroyed by the broadcaster within six months after the date on which the recording wasmade.

(3) An authorised recording undersubsection (1)ofthissectionofexcep­ tionaldocumentary charactermaybe preservedfor presentation to the National Archives.

(4) The preservationof an authorised recording for presentation to the NationalArchives does not affect the rights of the author in the work that was broadcast.

(5) Whether a recording of a broadcast is of exceptional documentary characterisaquestion offactto bedetermined bythebroadcaster aftertakinginto consideration the circumstances of the case and in particular the need for the enhancement of thehistorical andcultural aspects oflifein thecountry.

Copies ofSound Recordings, Mechanical Reproduction Rights of Composers

Production ofcopies ofsound recordings 24. (1) Amanufacturer, producerorproduction companyofsoundrecordings may

makecopiesof anymusicalworkor a similaradaptation, ifcopiesof themusical work or a similar adaptationof themhave previously beenmade in or imported intotheRepublic for thepurposeof retailsaleandthecopiesweremade withthe licence of or imported by the owner of the copyright or authorised collective administration society.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(2) Beforethemaking ofthecopies under subsection (1), themanufacturer, producerorproduction company shall givetheownerofthecopyrightorauthorised collectiveadministration society notice of theintention tomake thecopies andthe address atwhichtheperson intends to makethem:

(3) Themanufacturer, producerorproduction company shall, notlaterthan fifteen daysbefore thesaleofacopymadebythatperson underthissection, send totheowner of thecopyright ortheperson authorised by theowner forthepurpose, byregistered post, notice of theperson'sintention to sellordistribute in anyother manner thecopies made. . . ,

(4) Thenotice shall contain (a) thename andaddress of themanufacturer, producer or production

company, .' , . , , .. (b) the title of the work to which the notice relates with sufficient

description toidentify theauthor of theworkanditspublisher, (c) thetypeofsoundrecording onwhich themanufacturer, producer, or

production company intendsto producetheworkandanestimate of thenumber ofcopies themanufacturer, producer orproduction company initially intends tosell,

(d) theordinary selling price oftheCopies the~Ufacturer, produceror production company intends to sell and~e amount ofroyalty payable forthem, and .

I . .. . . . ..

(e) theearliestdateon whichany Of thecopiesmaybe available for sale. .

(5) The manufacturer, producer or production company shall make a mechanical royalty payment oneachcopyofasoundrecording totheownerofthe copyrightthroughthe appropriate collectiveadministration societyestablished under section 49ofthisActwithin fourteen daysafterthemanufacturer, producer ortheproduction company hassentthenotice to theownerof thecopyright or the person authorised bytheowner.

(6) The royalty payable by the, manufacturer, producer or production company orpublisher shallbean amou1'l.t }\'Ot less than sevenpercentumor such higherpercentageas the CopyrightTribunalrnay recommend, of the ordinary retail priceofeachcopyof thesound recordirtgmade under thissection.

(7) It shall beaninfringementofcopyright if a manufacturerorpllblisher deals inacopy ofa sound recording madeundeithis section without themechanical royalty payment.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

Enforcement Provisions

Security device for sound and audio-visual recording 25. (1) A manufacturer importer or publisher of sound or audio-visual

recording shallontheapproval oftheMinister purchase asecurity devicefromthe Internal Revenue Serviceas may be required to cover the numberof copyright works themanufacturer, importerorpublisherintends to sellordistribute.

(2) The security deviceshallbe fixed to eachcopyof thecopyrightwork made orpublished by theapplicant.

(3) A person shallnotsellorexhibitforsaleacopyrightworkthatrequires a security device, without a security deviceaffixedto it.

(4) A person who sells or exhibits for sale a copyright work without a security deviceobtainedfromtheInternalRevenueServiceaffixedto it commits anoffence andisliable onsummary conviction toafine ofnotlessthanfive hundred penalty units.

Importation ofpre-recorded music and other copyright works 26. (1) Anofficerof the Customs, ExciseandPreventive Service shall, unless

satisfied thatanimported soundrecording or othercopyright workis notapirated product, notpermittheimportation ofthecopyright workwithout written clearance fromtherightowneroftheworkandtheCopyright Office.

Levyon devices used for reproducing copyright materials 27. (1) Thereshallbe imposedon anydevicecapableofbeingusedtocopya

copyrightworka levyofa sumthat shall beprescribed inRegulations madebythe Ministerinconsultation with theMinisterresponsible forFinance.

(2) The levy shall be collected by the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service atthe timeof importation orproduction.

(3) Theprovisions oftheCustoms, Excise andPreventive Service (Manage­ ment) Law, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 330)asvariously amended shall apply forthepurpose of thecollection ofthelevy.

(4) The levyshallupon collection by theCustoms, ExciseandPreventive Service bedeposited inafundestablished for therightholders bytheMinister.

(5) The fund shallbe subject to an annual auditby theAuditor-General or anauditorappointed by theAuditor-General.

(6) The Auditor-General or an auditorappointedby theAuditor-General shall submit theaudit report to theMinisterandtheappointedcollective administration society established undersection 49 of thisAct.

(7) The Ministerinconsultation withtheexecutiveofficers of the appro­ priate collectiveadministration society shall causethedistribution ofthe levy tothe

, right holders.

15

Act 6.90 Copyright Act, 2005

(8) Anyexception, quantumand modalities forthedistribution ofthelevy shall beprovided forinRegulations madeunder this Act.

(9) A personshallnot importany devicecapableof copying protected materials without payment ofthelevy.

(10) A person whoimports adevice without payment ofthelevy commits anoffence andisliable onsummary conviction toafine ofnotless than twohundred andfifty penalty units orimprisonment foratermnotexeeedingtwelve months.

Protection ofPerformers and Broadcasting Organisations Performers rights

28. (1) A person shall notwithout theauthorization ofaperformer (a) broadcast or communicate .a performance of the pe.rformer

directly orindirectly to thepublic except (i) where the broadcastorcommunication tothepublic ismade

from apreviously authorisedfixation, or . (ii) where thetransmission.is onethathasbeenauthorised by

the broadcasting organisation that transmits the first performance,

(b) arrange the fixationof a performance not previouslyfixed on a physical medium, . ';

(c) exercise therightof reproductionof thefixation in anymanneror form,

(d) provide the firstpublicdistribution of the original C>r acopy of a fixation ofa performance,

(e) provide or obtaina rental ofthe originalor a copy of the perfor­ mance forthepurposeofdirectorfndirectcommercial advantage, irrespectiveoftheownership ()ftheoriginal orcopyrented, or ­

(f) make available tothepublicafixedperfonnancebywire orwireless means, in a waythatmembers of thepublic mayaccessit from a place andata timeindividually chosen bythem.

(2) A performerhastheexclusive~~ttQ authorise orprohibit ._ (a) the rebroadcasting, rental.knd distribution of a fixation of the

performance, (b) thefixation ofthe~ance, (c) thereproduction of afi~tiOJl>Qfthe performance; or (d) thecommunication tothepllbJicoftheperformaneeexcept where

theperformance hasbeefilawt'ully fixedon audiovisualor audio recording media whichmaybe broadcast without theconsent ofthe performer, ifthe recordings havebeenpublished; subjectto the payment of equitable remuneration to the performer.

16

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(3) Where a performer has given a performance under a contract of employment or of service, the extent and conditions under which the employer of the performer may use the performance or authorise others to use it shall be determined by reference to the nature of the contract of employment or service unless agreed otherwise.

(4) The consent of the elected representative of a group participating in choral, orchestral or stage performance shall satisfy the conditions of subsection (2) and where the group has no representati ve, the consent of the performers belonging to the group shall be expressed by the consent of the leader of the group.

Duration of performer's right 29. The rights of a performer in respect of the performance are protected for a

period of seventy years starting from the end of the calendar year in which the performance was fixed on a physical medium or in the absence of such a fixation, from the end of the calendar year in which the performance took place.

Performer'sright tocontract 30. Subject to sections 5 and 28 (3) a provision in this Act shall not preclude the

right of a performer to enter into a contract with any person on such terms and conditions, as the performer considers appropriate for the use of the performance by another person.

Moral rightsofa performer 31. A performer has the right independent of the economic rights of the owner

and even after the transfer of those rights, (a) to requiretobe identifiedwiththe performer's liveoral performancesand

performances fixed in phonograms; and (b) to object to any distortion, multilation or other modification of a

personal performance which would be prejudicial to the reputation of the performer.

Authorisation relatingto broadcast 32. In the absence of any law or contract to the contrary, the provisions of

section 28 shall not imply a consent to (a) licence other broadcasters to transmit the performance, (b) make a fixation of the performance, (c) reproduce the fixation ifthe authorisation granted is to broadcast

and make a fixation of the performance, or (d) broadcast the performance from a previous fixation or from the

reproduction of the fixation where initial permission was given solely to enable the broadcasting of the performance.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Broadcasting organisations 33. A broadcasting organisationhastheexclusiverightto authoriseor prohibit,

(a) the rebroadcastingof its broadcast, (b) the fixationof its broadcast,or (c) the reproductionof a fixationof its broadcast,or (d) thecommunicationto the publicof itsbroadcast.

Programme carrying signals 34. Abroadcastingorganisation hastherightinrelation toitsprogramme carrying

signals, to prevent the distribution in the Republic or from the Republic of any signalsby anydistributorforwhom the signalswerenot intended.

Limitation oneconomic rights of performers andbroadcastingorganisations 35. The provisionsof sections 28 and 33 of thisAct shall not apply where the

acts referred to areconcerned with (a) privateuse, (b) the reporting of currentevents,whichinvolvestheuseof onlyshort

excerptsof a performance, sound recording, audio visual work or broadcast,

(c) teaching or scientific research, (d) quotations in the form of short excerpts of a performance, sound

recording, audio-visual work orbroadcast, which arecompatiblewith fair practiceand are justified by the informative purpose of those quotations, and

(e) cases where, under permitted users of copyright in sections 19to 23 a work can be used without the authorisation of the author or otherownerof the copyright.

Durationof rights of broadcasting organisation 36. The rightsof a broadcastingorganisationreferredto in sections33, and34

areprotected until theexpiration offorty yearsfromthedateofmakingthe broadcast or the signal.

Publicperformance anduseofcopyright work 37. (1) Where inanypublic placebymeansofbroadcasting,cinematography,jukebox

or other apparatus,a sound recording or audio visualwork is usedthe authorised performerandproducerof thesoundrecordingoraudio visual workshallbeentitled to royaltyin accordancewith thisAct.

(2) An owner of copyright is entitled to collect royalties for the live performanceof the copyright work or for the public performance of the recorded copyrightwork.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

General Provisions

Thepublicdomain 38. (1) The following worksbelongto thepublicdomain

(a) workswithexpired terms of protection, (b) worksby authorswho have renouncedtheir rights, and (c) foreignworks that do not enjoy protectionin theRepublic.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section renunciation by an author or the author's successor in title of the author's rights providedunder section5 shallbe by writing andmadepublic,but the renunciation shall notconflictwithanyprevious contractual obligation relating to thework.

(3) Subject to the payment of a fee that may bespecified bytheMinistera workthathasfallen intothepublic domain maybeusedwithout anyrestriction.

(4) Thereshallbeestablishedby theMinistera fundfor thedepositof anymoney that accruesfrom the payment of fees under subsection(3).

(5) Thefundshall beestablished withtheapproval oftheAccountant-General andshallbe for thebenefitof institutions thatpromotethe arts,authors, performers, producers of soundrecording, translators andtheartsin general, exceptthat separate head accounts shallbe assigned to the respective arts.

(6) The fund shallbe managed by the CopyrightAdministratorin consul­ tation withtheMinister.

Registrationof works 39. (1) The Copyright Administrator appointed under section 68 shall open

and maintain registersin which shall be registeredassociationsof authors,works andproductions.

(2) The purposesof registrationare (a) to maintain a record of works, (b) to publicisethe rightsof the owners, and (c) to giveevidenceof the ownershipandauthentication of intellectual

property. (3) A publisherof workintheRepublic maysubmit theworkforregistration

bytheCopyrightAdministrator afteritspublication andtwocopies of thebestedition may be deposited at the Copyright Office.

(4) Copyright protection of a work shall not be dependent on the regis­ trationof the work.

Presumption ofauthorship 40. (1) An individual whosename is indicatedas theauthoron any work shall.

be presumed to be the author of the work in the absence of any proof to the contrary.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(2) Thisprovision shallalsoapplywherethenameusedis a pseudonym if the pseudonym doesnot leaveanydoubtas to the identityof the author.

(3) Thepresumption of authorship alsoapplies to workscreatedby more thanoneauthor.

Infringement ofcopyright and related rights 41. (1) Subjectto thisActthe doingof allactcontraryto

(a) the rightsof an authorundersections5 and6, (b) therightsof a performerundersections28, 30 and31 (c) therightsof broadcasting organisations undersections 33and34

constitutes aninfringement ofcopyright orrelated right, as thecasemaybe,andthe rightownermayseekreliefin a civilaction undersection 44.

Copyright andrelated rightsoffences 42. (1) A personwho

(a) reproduces, duplicates, extracts, imitates orimports intothecountry, exceptfor that person's privateuse,anywork,

(b) causes tobereproduced, duplicated, extracted, imitated orimported intothecountryexceptfor the person'sprivateuseany work,

(c) distributes or permitsorcauses to be distributedin the countryby wayof saleor otherwiseany work,

(d) exhibits or permitsorcausestobe exhibitedin publicany work, (e) removes oralters anyelectronic rights management information, (f) distributes, importsfordistribution, broadcasts, communicates or

makes available tothepublic, works, performances, copiesoffixed performancesor soundrecordingsknowing that electronic right management information has been removed or altered without authority, or

(g) manufactures, imports,distributes, exports,sells,rents,possesses for commercial purposes, offers to the public, advertises, communicates or otherwise provides any device, product or component that is designed or adapted to remove, alter or add electronic rights management information, or

(h) circumvents any technological protection measureappliedby the rightholderto the protectedwork,or ,

(i) manufactures, imports, distributes, exports,sells,rents,possesses for commercial purposes, offers to the public, advertises, communicatesor otherwise provides without authority devices, components, services or other means, designed, adapted, or promoted tocircumventsucha measure, or

20

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(j) rentsor lendsto thepublicany work where thepersonperforming theactkneworhad reasonable grounds toknowthat theaction induces, enables, facilitates orconceals aninfringement ofanycopyright or relatedrightprotectedunderthisActwithoutthe licenceor authorisation of the person whoserightsareprotected underthisActor the agentof thatpersonwhose rights areprotected, infringes theprotectedrights andcommits anoffence punishable undersection43of thisAct. .

Penalty for copyright offence 43. Apersonwhoinfringes a rightprotectedunderthisActcommits anoffence

andisliable on summary conviction toafineofnotmorethanonethousandpenalty units andnotlessthanfivehundred penalty units ortoa termofimprisonmentofnot more thanthree yearsor to both;andinthecaseof acontinuing offenceto afurther fineofnotlessthantwenty-five penalty units andnotmorethanonehundred penalty unitsforeachdayduringwhichtheoffencecontinues..

Offences related to folklore 44. (1) A person shall not sell,offer or expose for sale or distributionin the

Republic copiesof (a) worksof folkloremadein oroutsidethe Republic, or (b) translations, adaptations, arrangements of folklore madeoutside the

Republic without thepermission inwriting of theNational FolkloreBoard.

(2) A personwhocontravenes thissection commitsanoffence andis liable on summaryconvictionto a fineofnotmore thanone thousandpenaltyunitsand notlessthanonehundred andfifty penalty unitsor to a termofimprisonment ofnot morethanthree yearsor toboth;andinthecaseof acontinuing offenceto afurther fineofnotlessthantwenty-five penalty unitsforeachdayduring whichtheoffence continues.

Offences by body of persons 45. (1) Where an offenceis committedby a body of personsunderthisAct

(a) in the case of a body corporate other than a partnership, every directoror secretary of the bodycorporateshallalso be deemedto havecommitted theoffence, and

(b)' in thecase of apartnership, every partner shall also be deemedto havecommitted the~ff~nce.

(2) A personshallnot be consideredto havecommittedan offenceunder thissectionifthe personprovesto the satisfaction of the court that the offencein respectof which the personis chargedw~s committedby someotherpersonand waswithoutthe consentor connivanceof the personcharged andthat theperson chargedexercised thediligence required-to prevent thecommission of thatoffence thatthatpersonoughtto haveexercised havingregardto thecircumstances.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Compensation to victim of offence and forfeiture 46. Inaddition toanypunishment imposed bythecourtinrespect ofanoffence

under this Act, thecourtmayorder (a) that the sumsof money arising out of the offencebe paidto the

person entitled under thisActtothosesums, and (b) that the reproduction, duplication, eXtract, imitation andothermaterial

involvedintheinfringement, andtheimplementordevice used inthe infringement beforfeited anddisposedofas thecourtmaydirect havingregard tothe circumstances relating totheinfringement.

Civil remedies 47. (1) Aperson whose rights under thisActarein imminent danger ofbeing

infringedorare being infringed upon may iJ}itiatecivil proceedings intheHigh Court (a) for an injunction to prevent the infringement or prohibit the

continuation ofthe infringement, (b) in respect of imported goodsor goods ready for export, for an

orderrequiring theCustoms,Excise andPreventive Service to detain thegoods, or

(c) fortherecovery ofdamages fortheinfringement. (2) Onanexparte application, theCourt maymake anorderinchambers for

theinspection orremoval fromthedefendant's premises ofcopyright infringing materials which constituteevidenceofinfringementbythedefendant.

(3) Thegrant ofaninjunction under subsection (1)ofthis section shall not affect theclaimfordamages inrespect ofloss sustained bytheapplicant asaresult oftheinfringement oftheapplicant's rights under thisAct.

(4) Aperson whosustains damage from aninfringement of thatperson's rights underthisActmay institute civilproceedings againsttheperson respon­ sible forthe infringementwhetherornottheperson hasbeen successfully prosecuted under thisAct.

{5}. WheretheCustoms, ExciseandPreventive Service (CEPS) detain goods under subsection (l)(b)

(a) theright holderortheperson upon whose application theorder was made shall provide totheCEPS a sufficiently detaileddescription of thegoods tomake themreadily recognisable by theCEPS;

(b) theCEPS shall release thegoods to theirownerifwithin ten working daysit is not informed-by theperson uponwhose application the orderwasmadethat _

(i) proceedings leading toadecision onthemerits ofthecase havebeen initiated byapartyotherthan theownerof the detained goods, or

22

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(ii) an extension of the order for the detentionof the goods hadbeengrantedbytheappropriate authority.

(6) A right holder may apply directly to the CEPS for the detentionof goods uponthegrounds statedinsubsection (1)(b); andsubsection (5) shall apply to suchanapplication asappropriate exceptthatbeforetheapplication isgranted, the applicant shall provide sufficient information tosatisfy theCEPS thatthere isan infringement or imminent infringement of therights holder'scopyright or related right.

(7) Uponreceiptof an application undersubsection (6),the CEPSshall within fourteen days, informtheapplicant of

(a) thedecision of theCEPSontheapplication; and (b) wheretheapplication isgranted, the periodof thedetention of the

goods.

Settlement ofdisputes 48. (l) Where any dispute arises between any parties under this Act or in

relation toanycopyright orclaimunderthisAct, theparties involved inthedispute mayseektonegotiate a settlement of thedispute.

(2) Wherenegotiation under subsection (1)fails, a report maybe madeby either or both parties to the CopyrightAdministrator who shall mediate for a settlement.

(3) A partydissatisfied with adecision tosubmittomediation made under subsection (2)mayseekredress fromacourtofcompetent Jurisdiction.

CoDeetiveadministration societies 49. (1) Authors,producers, performersand publishersmayformcollective

administration societies forthepromotion andprotection oftheirinterest. (2) A collective administration societymayacting on theauthority of the

ownerofa rightcollect anddistribute royalties andotherremuneration accruing to theowner.

(3) The Ministermaybylegislative instrument makeRegulations for the formation, operation andadministration of societies.

Copyright monitoring team 50. (1) Thereisby thisActestablished a copyrightmonitoring teamreferred

toas''themonitoring team". (2) Themonitoring teamshall comprise anumberof policeofficers,five

representativesofCopyright owners and twoofficers of theCopyright Office that theCopyrightOffice mayrequire.

(3) Themonitoring teamshall (a) monitorcopyright works, (b) investigate casesinrespect ofcopyright,

23

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(c) undertake anti-piracy activity, and (d) perform other'functions thatarenecessary toprotectauthors.

(4) Membersof the monitoring team from the Police Service may be seconded to the CopyrightOfficefor periodsarid ontermsthatthe Ministerof JUstice andtheMinister of Interior maydetermine ontheadvice of theCopyright Administrator andtheInspector General ofPolice.

Establishment ofthe CopyrightTribunal 51. There is establisheda CopyrightTribunal referred to in this Act as the

"Tribunal".

Composition ofthe Tribunal . 52. TheTribunal shall comprise threepersons, oneofwhom shall bealawyerof

at leasttenyears standing whoshall be thechairperson.

Functionsof theTribunal 53. TheTribunal shall

(a) hearanddetermine (i) a matterreferred toitpursuant toaprovision relating to a

licensing scheme, and (ii) anapplication tosettle theroyalty orother sumpayable for

rental ofa soundrecording, filmorcomputerprogramme; (b) keep.under review the prescribedrate of royalty payable. to a

perfonnerinconnection with anadaptationofan()riginalrecmtingof aperfonnance;and

(c) make recommendations to theMinister ontherateofroyalties or otherpaymentspayablein respectof the useor presentation in a national cultural event, of any work ~r performance in which copyright orotherrights subsist. .

(2) In relation toitsfunctions under.subsection (l)(b) theTribunal mayon itsowninitiative andshall,ona requestmadeinwritingby theMinister, enquire into theappropriateness ofanyrate fixed andmake recofllIllendations to theMinister withrespect to therateastheTribt1nal~Qnsiders appropriate. .' .

Tenure ofofficeofmembers ofthe Tribunal 54. (I) Amember ofthe Tribunal shallbeappointed bytheMinister andshall

hold officefor a period of not more than three years, and is. eligible for re­ appointment.

(2) Amember of theCopyright Tribunal shall,subjectto subsection (1), holdandvacate office inaccordance withtheterms of.appointment, andmay

\ (a) resign from officebynoticc!itlwriting totheMinister; or

24

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(b) bynotice inwriting fromtheMinister to themember toberemoved fromoffice onaccount of

(i) bankruptcy, (ii) having made an arrangement with creditors or, having

executed a trust deed for creditors or entered into a composition contract, or

(iii) beingincapacitated byphysical ormental illness. (3) If a memberof theTribunal is by reason of illness, absenceor other

,reasonable causeunable toperformtheduties ofoffice, eithergenerally orinrelation to particularproceedings, theMinistermayappoint another person to dischargethe duties of thememberorin relation to thoseproceedings foraperiodnotexceeding sixmonths atonetime, andaperson soappointed shall haveduring theperiodofthe appointment, orin relation totheproceedings in question, the same powers as the member in whose place the person is appointed.

Allowances ofmembers 55. AmemberoftheThbunal shall receive remuneration that1heMinisterdetennines.

Proceedings of the Tribunal 56. (1) Wherepartofanyproceedings beforetheTribunal hasbeenheardand

a memberof the Tribunal is unable to continue, the Tribunal shall remain duly constituted for thepurpose of thoseproceedings so longastwomembers remain.

(2) Ifthechairperson is unable to continue, thechairperson shall (a) appointoneof theremaining members to actaschairperson, and (b) where necessaryappointa suitablyqualifiedperson to attend the

proceedings andadvise themembers onanyquestions of lawarising. (3) A person is"suitably qualified" forthepurposes ofsubsection (2)ifthe

person iseligibleforappointment as,chairperson of theTribunal. (4) The Tribunal shall sit at a place and time to be determined by the

chairperson or thememberfor thetimebeingactingas thechairperson.

Rules of procedure 57. (1) The Ministershallmakeregulations to governthe proceedings ofthe

CopyrightTribunal. (2) Regulations madeundersubsection (1)may

(a) empowertheTribunal nottoentertaina representative organisation unlesstheTribunal is satisfiedthat the organisation is reasonably representative oftheclassof thepersonsit claimsto represent;

25

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(b) provide forthemanner inwhichtheparties toanyproceedings is to be determined and enable the Tribunal to join as a party to proceedings anypersonororganisation thattheTribunal is satisfied hasa substantial interest inthematter; and

(c) require theTribunal to givetheparties toproceedings anopportunity to state their case, in writing or orally as the Regulationsmay provide.

Appeal 58. (1) Anappeal lies onanypointoflawarising from adecision of theTribunal

to theHighCourt. . (2) TheTribunal may, bywayofcasestated, referaquestion' of lawtothe

High Court foritsopinion. (3) The decisionof the HigKCourt, whetheron an appeal or on a case

stated, shall bebinding ontheTribunal.

National Folklore Board

Natiomll Folklore Board 59. (1) Thereisestablished bythisActa National Folklore Boardreferredto

in thisActas ''theBoard". (2) TheBoardshall consist of

(a) achairperson, (b) theCopyright.Administrator, (c) aperson nominatedbytheNational Commission onCulture; and (d) sixotherpersons

whoshanbeappointed bythe President inconsultation withtheCouncil ofState.

Tenure of members of theBoard 60. (1) ThemembersoftheBoardshallholdoffice forfouryears andareeligible

forre-appointment ontheexpiryof thepet;ic;x:l. (2) AmemberoftheBoardmayresjgn from office inwriting addressed to

thePresident through theChairperson. . (3) Where theofficeof amemberotherthan anex-officiomemberbecomes

vacantbeforetheexpiryof the termof the memberor if for anyotherreason the memberisunable toperformthefunctions ofoffice, theChairperson shallnotifythe Presidentwhoshall, acting inconsultation withtheCouncil ofState, appoint another person tocomplete the unexpired termofoffice.

(4) Aperson appointedto complete theunexpired termof a membermay afterserving theunexpired termbeappointedamemberof theBoard.

26

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

Allowances for members 61. Members oftheBoardshall bepaidallowances determined bytheMinister

inconsultation withtheMinister responsible forFinance.

Meetings of the Board 62. (1) TheBoardshall meettoconduct business at timesandatplaces thatthe

chairperson may determineexcept that the Boardshall meet at least onceevery three months. .

(2) The Boardshallregulate theprocedure of itsmeetings.

Functions of the Board 63. TheBoardshall

(a) administer, monitorandregisterexpressions of folklore on behalf of theRepublic,

(b) maintain aregisterofexpressions offolklore attheCopyright Office, (e) preserve and monitor the use of expressions of folkore in the

Republic, (d) provide members of the public with information and adviceon

matters relating tofolklore, (e) promote activities which will increase public awareness on the

activities of theBoard, and (j) promote activities for the dissemination of expressions of folk­

lore within theRepublic andabroad.

Use of folklore 64. (1) A person who intends to use folklore for any purpose other than as

permittedunder section 19of thisAct,shall apply totheBoardforpermission inthe prescribed formandthepersonshallpaya fee thattheBoardmaydetermine.

(2) There shall be established by the Minister with the approval of the Accountant-General a fund for the deposit of any fees that may be charged in respect of the useoffolklore.

(3) Thefund shallbe managedby theBoardand shallbe used (a) for thepreservation andpromotion of folklore, and (b) for thepromotion ofindigenous arts.

Administration, the Copyright Office and Miscellaneous Matters

Establishment of the Copyright Office 65. (1) Thereisestablished bythisActtheCopyright Office.

(2) The Copyright Office shall consist of the Copyright Administrator appointed under section 68 ofthisActandotherofficers employed fortheCopyright Office.

27

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(3) The headquarters of theCopyrightOfficeshallbeinAccra. (4) Theremaybeopened regionalbranches of theCopyrightOffice insuch

regions as the Minister acting on the advice of the Legal Service Board may determine.

Obj~tand functionsof the Copyright Office 66. (1) TheCopyrightOffice isresponsible fortheadministration ofcopyright.

(2) In pursuance of itsobjecttheCopyrightOfficeshall (a) implementcopyrightandcopyrightrelatedlawsandregulations and

provide forcopyright administration; (b) investigate andredress casesofinfringementofcopyright, andsettle

disputes of copyright wherethosedisputeshavenot beenreserved forsettlementbytheCopyrightTribunal;

(c) beresponsible fortheadministration ofexternal copyrightrelations; (d) administer copyrights of whichthe Stateis theowner; (e) carryoutotherduties inrelation tocopyrightadministration.

Governing body . 67. ThegoverningbodyoftheCopyrightOffice shallbetheLegal ServiceBoard.

CopyrightAdministrator .. 68. (l) The chief executive of the ~opyright Office shall be the Copyright

Administratorwhoshall be appointedbythePresident inaccordance withtheadvice of the Legal Service Board given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.

(2) TheCopyrightAdministrator shallholdofficeon termsandconditions specified inthe letterofappointmentof theCopyrightAdministrator.

(3) The CopyrightAdministratorshall beresponsiblefor the day-to-day administration of theCopyrightOfficesubjectto directivesthattheLegalService Boardmaygive.

(4) TheCopyrightAdministratOrmaydelega.re anyoftheduties oftheo~ce. AppointmentofstatTof the Copyright Office

69. (1) The Copyright Office shall haveotherofficers andemployees thatare necessaryfor theproperandeffective performance of its functions.

" '

(2) The staffof theCopyright Officeshallperformsuchfunctions that the CopyrightAdministrator mayassignto them.

(3) ThePresident shall appoint thestaffandemployeesoftheCopyrightOffice in accordancewith article195of theConstitution ontermsandconditions that the Presideritmaydetermine.

28

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

(4) The LegalServiceBoardmayengagethe servicesofconsultants and advisers as it considers necessary upon the recommendation of the Copyright

. Administrator. (5) Publicofficers maybe transferred or seconded totheCopyright Office

or mayotherwiseberequiredtogiveassistance to it.

Funds of the Copyright Oftice 70. Thefundsfortheoperation oftheCopyright Officeshall include

(a) moneyapproved byParliament fortheOffice, (b) donations, (c) gifts,and (d) money receivedfrom anyothersource approved bytheMinister for

Finance. Budget

71. TheCopyrightOfficeshaJI submitto theMinisterresponsible forFinance through the Minister at the end of each financial year detailedestimatesof the . budgetfortheCopyright Office for theensuingyear.

Accounts and audit 72. (1) The Copyright Officeshallkeepbooksof accountandproperrecords

in relation to them and the booksandrecordsof the CopyrightOfficeshallbein suchformas theAuditor-General mayapprove.

(2) The accountbooksand recordsof the CopyrightOfficeshall,within three months afterthefinancial yearbe audited bytheAuditor-General oranauditor approved bytheAuditor-General andareportontheauditshallbesubmitted to the Board. ...

(3) The financial year of the Copyright Office shall be the same as the financial yearoftheGovernment.

Annual report 73. (I) TheCopyrightOffice shall aftertheexpiration ofeachfinancial yearbut

within sixmonths aftertheendoftheyear, submit to theMinister through theLegal Service Boardan annual reportcoveringtheactivitiesof theCopyright Officefor the yearto whichthe reportrelates.

(2) Theannual report submittedundersubsection (1)shall include thereport of theAuditor-General.

(3) TheMinistershall, within twomonths afterthereceiptoftheannual report submitthe report to Parliamentwith such statementastheMinisterconsiders necessary.

(4) TheCopyrightOffice shall alsosubmit to theMinisterotherreport that theMinistermayinwriting request.

29

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Regulations 74• .TheMinistermaybylegislative instrumentmake regulations

(a) fortheregistration anddeposit ofworks, (b) inconsultation with theMinister responsible forFinance forthelevy

payable ontechnical devices usedforcopying copyright materials, (c) fortheform andscope ofcontractsandlicencesrelatingto publishing,

performance, soundrecording andaudio-visual productions, and (d) generally forcarrying intoeffect theprovisions ofthisAct.

Minister'spowerotdelegation' 75. TheMinister may delegate anypoweroftheMinisterunderthisActinwriting

totheCopyrightAdministratororanyo~er ~ublic officer.

Interpretation 76. In thisActunless thecontext otherwise requires

"artisticwork' means irrespectiveof artisticquality anyofthe following works: .. .

(a) Painting,drawing, etching,lithograph, woodcut, engraving, print, fashion design andwooddesign;

(b) photography notcomprised inanaudiovisual film; . (c) map,plan ordiagram; (d) sculpture; . (e) workofarchitecture intheform ofbuilding ormodel;or (f) workofappliedart, whether handicraftorproduced onan

industrial scale; " audio-visual work"meansa work: thatconsistsof a seriesof related

imageswhich impart the impression of motion,with or without accompanying sounds, susceptibleofbeing made visible,.andwhere accompanied bysounds susceptible ofbeingmadeaudible;

"author" means a person who creates a work, and itltlleca.se of cinemato~raphic w()r~or,~ound recordingmean~ theperson by whom thearrangemet1tS for the making ofthework orrecording is

. undertaken; , .,... . "Board" means theNatiorialFolklore Board; "broadcasting" meansthetransmittin~for reception bythegeneral public

. over a distanceby means of radio, television, electromagnetic emissions, light beams, wire, cableorothermeans;

"choreographic work"includesformsofdanee, whetherornotindramatic form;

"collectiveIicence"means atieence issued byacollective administration body under which copiesof aprotectedwork canbe made;

30

Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

" communication to the public" means the transmission, other than broadcasting,by wireor withoutwire, of the imagesor soundsor both of a work, a performance or a soundrecordingin such a way that the imagesor soundscan be perceivedby personsoutside the normal circle of a family and its closest social acquaintances at a place or places so distant from the place where the transmission originates thatwithout thetransmission, the imagesor soundswould not be perceivableirrespectiveof whetherthe personcan receive imagesor soundsat the sameplace andtime, or at differentplaces or timesindividually chosen bythem;

"copy"meansa reproduction of a workin a writtenform,or in theform of a recording or film, or inanymanneror form,but anobjectshall notbe takento be acopyof anarchitectural workunlessthe object is a buildingor a model;

"derivative work"means aworkresulting fromadaptation, translation or other transformationof an original work in so far as it constitutes an independent creation;

"device" includes audio or visual cassettes, compact discs, CD­ Rom's, VCR's, photocopymachinesand any otherdeviceusedto copycopyright materials;

"fixation" means theembodimentofsounds, images orimagesandsounds orofrepresentations made fromthemfromwhichthesounds, images or images and soundscan be perceived,reproducedor communi­ catedthrougha device;

"folklore" means theliterary, artistic andscientific expressions belonging to the culturalheritageof Ghanawhich arecreated,preservedand developedby ethniccommunitiesof Ghana or by an unidentified Ghanaian author,and includes kente and adinkra designs, where the author of the designs are not known, and any similar work designatedunderthisAct to be worksof folklore;

"literary work"includes (a) novels,storiesor poeticalworks; (b) plays, stage directions, film scenarios or broadcasting

scripts; (c) textbooks, treaties, histories, biographies, essays or

articles; (d) encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, time tables,

anthologies, databases or compilation of data or other material, whetherinmachine readable form, which byreason of the selection or arrangement of contents constitutes intellectual creations;

31

Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(e) (j) (g)

letters, reports ormemoranda; lectures, addresses or sermons; and computerprogrammes whatevermaybethemode orform ofexpression;

"mechanical right"meanstherightof theauthorto reproduce literary, dramatic or musicalworks in the form of sound recordingsand audio-visual worksproduced mechanically andincludeselectro­ acoustic andelectronic procedures therights ofwhichareusually administeredbyauthors, societies orotherappropriateorganisations;

."Minister" means theMinister responsible forJustice; "musicalwork" includesanymusicalworkitrespectiveofitsmusical quality

andwords composed formusical accompaniment; " owner"meanstheperson to whomthecopyrightin a workbelongs

andincludes theheirofanauthororanassignee in whole orinpart ofacopyright;

"performance"means the presentationof a work by such action as dancing, playing, reciting, singing,delivering, declaimingor projecting to listeners or spectators;

"performer" means theactor.dt\~f.e,;r, musician, singerandotherpersons whoact, sing, deliver. declaim, playinorotherwise perform literary orartistic worksorexpressions of folklore;

"producer" meansa personor anentitythat (a) finances ororganises

(i) stage performances; or (ii) productions; or

(b) undertakes thefirstfixation ofaudio-visual workorsound recording

"public performance" means (a) in thecaseof a workotherthan anaudiovisual work,the

recitation, playing, dancing, acting orotherwise performing the work, either directly or by means of any device or process;

(b) inthecaseofanaudiovisual work, theshowing ofimages in sequence and the making of accompanying sounds audible; and

(c) in the case of a sound recording, making the recorded sounds audible

at a placeor atplaceswherepersons outsidethenormalcircleof the family and its closest acquaintances are or can be present, irrespective ofwhether theyareorcanbepresent at thesameplace andtime, oratdifferent places ortimes, andwhere theperformance

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

canbe perceivedwithout theneedforbroadcasting orcommunication to thepublic within themeaningof thedefinitions of ''broadcasting'' and"communication tothe public";

"public place" means anybuilding, placeorconveyance towhich forthe timebeingthepublic areentitledorpermitted tohaveaccess, either without anycondition orupon condition ofmaking anypayment, and includes theatres, hotels, cinemas, concerthalls, dancehalls,bars, clubs, sports grounds, holiday resorts, circuses, restaurants and commercial banking andindustrial establishments;

"publisher" meansapersonwho undertakes the" publication ofa work by theissueof copies to thepublic usually forsaleor in thecaseof a soundrecordingor audio-visual work a publisheris the person whoissues duplicates ofthe soundrecording or audiovisual work;

"programme-carrying signals" meanselectronically generated carriers transmitting liveorrecorded material consisting of images, sounds orboth, intheiroriginal formoranyform recognisably derived from theoriginal, inextra-terrestrial space;

"soundrecording" means workthatresults fromthefixation ofa series of musical, spoken orothersound, orof a representation of sounds butdoes notinclude sounds accompanying amotion picture orother audio-visual workregardless ofthenatureofthematerial objects in whichthosesounds areembodied;

"systematic instructional activities" means themethodical presentation of information foreducational purposes;

"workofjointauthorship" means a workcreatedbytwoormoreauthors incollaboration, inwhich the individual contributions areindistin­ guishable fromeachother.

Repeal and saving 77. (1) The CopyrightLaw, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110) is herebyrepealed.

(2) Therights, assets, properties, obligations andliabilities oftheCopyright Officeunderthe repealedenactmentareby thisAct transferredto the Copyright Office established underthisAct.

(3) The repeal ofthe CopyrightLaw, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110)shall not affectanycopyright orotherrights thatwerevested inanyperson byvirtue of that Law and those rights shall continueto be enforceable as if they wereconferred underthisAct.

(4) Any appointment madeunderthe repealedenactment and validat the commencement of thisActshallremain validas if madeunderthecorresponding provision ofthisActuntil terminated orotherwise dealtwithunder thisAct.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

(5) Theemployees oftheCopyright Office inexistence immediately before the cominginto forceof thisAct areherebytransferredto the CopyrightOffice established underthisAct.

Retroactive protection 78. The provisions of this Act applies to works, performances and sound

recordings which weremadepriorto thedateofthecomingintoeffectof thisAct, iftheterm ofproteetion hadnotexpiredunder theCopyrightLaw, 1985, (P.N.D.C.L. 110)orunder thelegislation of thecountryoforigin ofthe works, performances or soundrecordings thatareto beprotected underaninternational treaty towhichthe Republic isparty.

Date of Gazette notification: 3rd June, 2005.


Legislation Relates to (2 text(s)) Relates to (2 text(s)) Is amended by (1 text(s)) Is amended by (1 text(s))
Historical Versions Repeals (1 text(s)) Repeals (1 text(s))
No data available.

WIPO Lex No. GH012