What are the copyright limitations in South Africa?
Subject to exceptions (depending on the category of work), works in South Africa are protected for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years from the end of the year in which the author dies..
What is Copyright Act fair use South Africa?
The fair use / dealing copyright section allows a user to copy, for their own study or research or private use, as much of the work as they need to meet their reasonable needs, without seeking permission from the copyright owner or paying compensation..
What is the Copyright Act in South Africa?
Copyright Law in South Africa is governed by the Copyright Act of 1978 and its amendments.
CIPC and DTI oversee copyright in the country.
As a member of the Berne Convention and TRIPS Agreement, copyright works protected in South Africa are also protected in other member states of the above..
What is the meaning of copyright in South Africa?
Copyright is a set of exclusive legal rights given to the author or creator of an original work – that includes the right to copy, distribute, adapt, perform and display the work in public.
The work itself does not necessarily have to be unique..
Who owns copyright in South Africa?
The author or creator of the work is the owner of the copyright, unless the person is in employment, and the work is created in the course and scope of the employment, in which case the employer holds the copyright..
- The Courts have the power to award additional damages where there has been a flagrant breach of copyright.
The Copyright Act also makes provision for criminal penalties - a fine (a maximum of R5 000 per infringement) and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years for a first conviction.
