copyright ghana

8/6/2019 Copyright Ghana

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SectionCopyright

1. Work eligible for copyright2. Ideas, concepts excluded from copyright3. ' Ghana Government and international body copyright4. Folklore protected5. Economic rights of authors6. Moral rights of authors7. Employed authors8. Public benefit works9. Transferofcopyright

10. Obligation of producers11. Notice of protection of rights of producers

I Duration of Copyright12. Duration of copyright in works of individuals13. Duration of copyright in works of bodies corporate14. Duration ofcopyright in anonymous works15. Duration ofcopyright in audio-visual works16. Duration ofcopyright in soundrecording17. Duration ofprotection for expressions of folklore18. Duration ofmoral rights

Permitted uses of Copyright19. Permitted use ofwork protected by copyright20. Reproduction and adaptation of computerprograrns21. Permitted use of protected copyright work by library or archi ve22. Permitted use ofwork or publication of portrait in public interest events23. Ephemeral recordings

Copies of Sound Recordings. Mechanical Reproduction Riglus ( ~ Composers24. Production of copies of sound recordings

Enforcement Provisions25. Security device for sound und audio-visual recording26. Importation ofpre-recorded music and other copyrigh: works27. Levy on devices usedfor reproducing l;upynglll material,


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005

Protection ofPerformers and Broadcasting Organisations28. Performer's rights29. Duration of performer's right30. Performers right to contract31. Moral rights of a performer32. Authorisation relating to broadcast33. Broadcasting organisations34. Programme canying signals35. Limitationoneconomicrightsofperformersandbroadcasting organizations36. Duration of rights of broadcasting organization37. Public performance and use of copyright work

General Provisions38. The public domain39. Registration of works40. Presumption of authorship41. Infringement of copyright and related rights42. Copyright and related rights offences43. Penalty for copyright offence44. Offences related to folklore45. Offences by body of persons46. Compensation to victim of offence and forfeiture47. Civilremedies48. Settlement of disputes49. Collectiveadministrationsocieties50. Copyright monitoringteam51. Establishment of theCopyrightTribunal52. Composition of the Tribunal53. Functions of theTribunal54. Tenure of office of members ofthe Tribunal55. Allowances of members56. Proceedings of theTribunal57. Rules of procedure58. Appeal

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690

National Folklore Board59. National Folklore Board60. Tenure of members of the Board61. Allowances formembers62. Meeting of the Board63. Functions of the Board64. Use of folklore

Administration, the Copyright Office and Miscellaneous Matters65. Establishment of the Copyright Office66. Object of the Copyright Office67. Governing body68. CopyrightAdministrator69. Appointment of staffof the Copyright Office70. Funds of the Copyright Office71. Budget72. Accounts and audit73. Annual report74. Regulations75. Minister's power of delegation76. Interpretation77. Repeal and saving78. Retroactive protection


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Act 690

THE SIX HUNDRED AND NINETIEIH

ACTOF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLICOF GHANAENTITI.ED

THE COPYRIGHTACT,2005AN ACT to replace the Copyright Law, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110); and bring the

provisions oncopyright andtheCopyright Office inconformity withtheConstitution andtoprovidefor relatedpurposes.DATE OF ASSENT: 17thMay, 2005.

ENACTED bythePresident andParliament.Copyright

Work eligible for copyright1. (l) An author, co-author orjoint authorof any of the following works isentitledtothecopyright andprotection affordedtothatworkunderthisAct(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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http:///reader/full/ENTITI.EDhttp:///reader/full/ENTITI.ED


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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 hasbeenfixedin any definite mediumof expressionnow knownor later to be developed with the result that the work can eitherdirectly or with the aid of any machine or device be perceived,reproducedor otherwisecommunicated,and(e) itis (i) created by a citizen ora personwho is ordinarilyresidentin the Republic,

(ii) first published in the Republic and in the case of a workfirst published outside the Republic is subsequentlypublished in the Republic within thirty days of its publi cation outsidethe Republic,or

(iii) a work in respectof whichthe Republichas anobligationunderaninternational treatyto grantprotection.(3) Theeligibility of a workforcopyrightisnotaffected byitsartistic quality,the purposeof the authorin creating it or by the manner or form of its expression.(4) Forthepurposesof thissectiona workis original ifit istheproductofthe

independenteffortof the author.Ideas,concepts excluded from copyright2. Copyrightshallnot extend to ideas, concepts,procedures,methodsor otherthingsofa similarnature.Ghana Government andinternational bodycopyright3. The copyrightof work shallvestin

(a) thePresidenton behalfofandin trustfor thepeopleof theRepublic;or(b) aninternational bodyif theworkismadebyorunderthedirection orcontrolof thePresidenton behalfofand in trustfor the peopleof the Republic or a specifiedinternationalbody.

Folklore protected4. (1) An expressionof folklore is protectedunderthisAct against(a) reproduction,(b) communication to the public by performance, broadcasting,distribution by cableor other means,and(c) adaptation, translation andothertransformation.(2) The rightsof folklore arevestedinthePresidentonbehalfof andintrustfor thepeople of the Republic.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005Economic rights of authors5. The authorofanyprotected copyright workhastheexclusi veeconomic rightinrespect ofthework todoorauthorise thedoing ofanyofthefollowing:(a) thereproduction of theworkin anymanneror form,

(b) thetranslation, adaptation, arrangement oranyothertransformationof the work,(c) thepublic performance, broadcasting andcommunication ofthe worktothe public,(d) the distribution to the publicof originalsor copiesof the workbywayoffirstsalesorotherfirsttransferof ownership, and(e) thecommercial rental tothepublic oforiginals orcopies ofthework.

Moral rights of authors6. (1) In addition to theeconomic rightsreferredto in section5, theauthorofprotected copyright workhasthesolemoralright(a) toclaimauthorship of theworkand in particular to demandthatthenameor pseudonymof the authorbe mentionedwhenany of theactsreferredto in section5 are done in relationto the work,and(b) to object to and seek relief in connection with any distortion,mutilation orothermodification of the workwhere thatactwould

beorisprejudicial tothereputation of theauthoror where theworkis discredited by theact.Employed authors7. In the absence of anycontractto thecontrary, theeconomicrightofa workshall vest inanemployeroraperson whocommissions theworkwhere theemployedorcommissioned authorhascreatedtheworkin thecourseof theemployment orcommission.Public benefit works8. (1) Therights referredto insections 5and6 of thisActshallnotvestin anyperson in respect of the following works,(a) anenactment,

(b) a decision made by a court or tribunal established under anyenactment fortheadministration ofjusticein theRepublic,(c) a report made by a commission of enquiry appointed by theGovernment oranyagency oftheGovernment andpublished by theGovernment, and(d) except where news is disseminated by the private media, news,namely a reportoffresh events orcurrentinformation madeby themedia, whether published in written form, by broadcast, orcommunicated to thepublic byanyothermeans.6


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(2) The President is the trustee for the public of the works specified insubsection (1)otherthanworks authoredby theprivatemedia underparagraph (d)

ofthatsubsection.lransferofcopyright9. (1) Theownerofcopyright maytransfertheeconomic rights in section 5 toanotherperson eitherinwhole orinpartbutthetransfer whether inwholeorinpartshallnotinclude themoral rights referred to in section 6.(2) A contractwhichrequiresthetotal transferof the rightsreferred to insection 6 shallbe limitedinscopeto theuseprovidedforin thatcontract.(3) Copyright maybe transferred byassignment, testamentary disposition or

operation oflaw.(4) An assignment ofcopyright shall be inwriting andsigned bytheownerofthe copyrightor by the personauthorisedby the owner of the copyright for thepurpose.(5) A licencetodoanactthatfallswithincopyright maybeoral,written orinferred fromconduct.(6) In thecaseofjointauthorship of a work,anassignment or a licence fortheworkshallbe subject totheauthorisation of thejoint authors.(7) Whereaworkisofjointauthorship andoneofthejointauthors withholdsconsenttoanassignmentorthegranting of a licence, thematter shall be referred totheCopyrightAdministrator todetermine whether ornotconsent should be grantedinrespectof theassignment or licence andtheconditions forthegrant.(8) Apersondissatisfied withthedecisionof theCopyright Administratormayapplytothe HighCourtforreview.(9) Anassignment, a licence ora testamentary disposition maybe madeorgrantedinrespectof anexisting workor futurework.

Obligation of producers10. (1) The producerofa soundrecording or audiovisual workshallstateonthe label ofthesoundrecording oraudiovisualworkor onitscontainer(a) thenameofthe authorandthoseof themainperformers,(b) thetitleofthework,(c) theyeartheoriginal matrixwascut,(d) the individual orcorporate nameor thedistinguishing markof theproducer, and(e) that the rights accruing to the producer under this Act are

reserved.(2) Choirs,orchestras andcomposersshallbe referredto by theirpropernamesorbythename ofthe leader forthe purpose ofparagraph (a)ofsubsection (1).7


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(3) Copyright protection ofaworkshall notdepend ontheobligationofproducers specified in thissection

Notice of protection of rights of producers11. (1) Anotice shall be printedoncopiesof soundrecordings oraudiovisualworkmade forcommercial purposes which shall include theyearoffirstpublicationofthesoundrecording or audiovisual work.(2) Thenotice shallbeplacedina mannerthatgivesreasonable noticeofclaimof protection oftherights of theproducer.(3) Ifthenotice on thecopiesofthesoundrecording, audiovisual workor

theircontainers doesnotidentify theproduceror licenceebyname,description. ortrade mark, it shall indicate the name of the person who owns the rights of theproducer.(4) If thenotice onthecopiesof thesoundrecording, audiovisual workortheircontainersdonotidentify theprincipal performers, itshall indicate thenameoftheperson whoownstherightsoftheperformers.(5) Non-compliance withtheprovisions ofthis section bya producerdoesnotdeprivetheproducerofcopyright protection. '(6) A person mayuse fixations or reproductions madeingoodfaith beforethecommencementof this Actifmade in accordance withitsprovisions. .

Duration of CopyrightDuration of copyright in individuals12. (1) The rights oftheauthorreferredto insection 5areprotectedduring thelifeoftheauthorand seventy yearsafterthedeath oftheauthorunlessthe. contraryisstatedinthisAct.

(2) Wherea workisjointlyauthored, therightsofthe authorreferredtoinsection 5 areprotected during thelifeof thelastsurvivingauthor andseventy yearsafterthedeathofthatauthor.Duration ofcopyright in bodies corporate13. Wherethe copyrightin a workis ownedby a publiccorporationor otherbodycorporate,the termof protectionshalt be seventy yearsfrom the dateonwhich the workwaseithermadeor firstpublished, whicheverdate isthe later.Duration of copyright in anonymous works14. Wherea workispublished anonymously orundera pseudonym, therightsoftheauthorreferredto in section 5 areprotecteduntiltheexpiration of seventy

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http:///reader/full/theproducerorlicenceebyname,description.orhttp:///reader/full/theproducerorlicenceebyname,description.orhttp:///reader/full/theproducerorlicenceebyname,description.orhttp:///reader/full/theproducerorlicenceebyname,description.or


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690yearsfromthe dateonwhich theworkwaseithermade,firstmade available to thepublic,or firstpublished, whicheverdateis the later, but if theidentity oftheauthoris known orisno longerindoubtbeforetheexpiration of thatperiod,therightsof theauthor shallbe protected during the lifeof the authorand seventy years after thedeathof the author.Duration of copyright in audio-visual works15. In the case of an audio-visual work, the rights of the author referred to insection 5 are protected until the expiration of seventy years from the date of themakingof the work,orwherethe workis madeavailableto the publicduring thatperiod with the consent of the author, until the expiration of seventyyearsfromthe date on which the work was eithermade, firstmade availableto the public,orfirstpublished, whicheverdateis the later.Duration of copyright in sound recording16. In the case of a sound recording, the rights of the author referred to insection 5areprotectedfromthepublication ofthesoundrecording until theexpirationof seventy years after the year of publication or, ifthe sound recording has not

i beenpublishedfromthefixation ofthesoundrecording, until theexpiration ofseventyyearsafterthe yearof fixation.Duration ofprotection for e x p r ~ ' 9 ' l ~ .Qffolklore17. The rights vestedin the P r e s r d e 1 i f ~ b e h a l f of 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;rightsshallbeenforceableby theauthor, duringthelifetimeof the author, andaftertheauthor's death,by the author's successorswhetheror not theeconomicrights,vestedin theauthorundersection5 arestillvestedin the authoror the successor in: titleof theauthor.

Permitted uses of CopyrightPermitted use of work protected by copyright19. (1) Theuseof a literaryorartistic workeitherin theoriginallanguageor intranslation shallnotbe an infringementof therightof theauthorin that work and shallnotrequirethe consentof the ownerof thecopyrightwherethe use involves

(a) the reproduction, translation, adaptation, arrangement or othertransforination oftheworkforexclusive personal useofaperson, iftheuseris anindividualandtheworkhas been madepublic,

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(b) subject tosubsection (2) ofthis section, theinclusion with anindicationofthesource andthe name oftheauthor ofquotations fromtheworkinanother work, including quotations fromarticles innewspapers

or periodicals in the form of press summaries, if the workfromwhich thequotations aretakenhasbeenmade public,(c) subject to subsection (3)(i) the utilisation oftheWaK byway ofillustration inpublications,broadcasts of soundor visual recordings for teaching, totheextentjustified forthepurposes, or(ii) the communication for teaching purposes of the work,broadcast foruseineducational institutions, or(iii) theutilisation oftheworkforprofessional training orpubliceducation,iftheworkhasbeenmadepublic;(d) inthecaseof(i) anarticle published inoneormorenewspapers orperiodicalsoncurrent economic, political orreligious topics, or(ii) a broadcaston current economic, politicalor religioustopics,thereproduction ofthearticlein a newspaperor periodical or thebroadcast orothercommunication tothepublic where astatement

ofthesource is provided unless the articleorbroadcast whenfirstpublished or made was accompanied by an express conditionprohibiting itsusewithout consent,(e) the reproduction or makingavailableto the public by meansofphotographic works, audio-visllal worksor othermeansof communication ofanyworkthatcanbeseenor heard in thecourse ofthereporting offresh events ornewinformation, if(i) theworkis reproduced or madeavailable forthepurposeof reporting by a news mediumof fresh eventsor new

information, and(ii) theuseof the workdoesnotextendbeyond thatjustifiedforthepurpose of keeping the public informed ofcurrentevents,(f) the reproduction of works of a r t ~ r architecture inan audio-visualwork forcinema ortelevision orinabroadcast bytelevision andthecommunication to the public of any of those works of art orarchitecture if those works are(i) permanently located inaplacewhere they canbe viewedbythepublic, or

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(ii) included inanaudio-visual work forcinema ortelevision onlybywayofbackground or asincidental to essential mattersrepresented,

(g) subject to subsection (4), the reproduction in the media or thecommunication to thepublic of(i) political speech deliveredinpublic,

(ii) speech delivered inpublic during legal proceedings, or(iii) lecture,address, sermonor otherworkof a similarnaturedelivered inpublic,

where the use by reproduction or communicationto the public isexclusively for the purpose of reporting fresh events or newinformation.

(2) The permission undersubsection (1)(a) shall notextend toreproduction(a) ofaworkofarchitecture intheformofbuilding orotherconstruction;(b) in the formof reprographyof a whole or of a substantialpart of a~ ofmusicalworkin the formof notation;(c) ofthewhole orofasubstantial partofadatabase indigital form; and(d) of a computerprogram,except as providedin section 16.

(3) Paragraph (b) ofsubsection (1)doesnotapply in respect ofanyparticularquotations unlessthequotations referredto in thatparagrapharecompatible withfairpracticeand the extentof thequotationsdoesnot exceedwhat isjustifiedforthepurposeof theworkin whichthequotations areused.(4) Paragraph (c)ofsubsection (1)doesnotapply inrespect ofanyparticularworkunlessthe use referredto in thatparagraphis compatiblewith fair practiceandthe source of the work usedand the name of the author are indicated in therelevant publication, broadcast or recording.(5) Paragraph (g) ofsubsection (1)doesnotapplyunless the reproductionreferred toin thatparagraph andthenumberofcopiesmadeinthereproduction arelimited to what is required in theparticular circumstances.(6) Despitethe provisions of section 5(a) the temporary reproduction of aworkis not an infringementof copyright if the reproduction is made in order tomakea digitally storedworkperceptible or in theprocessofa digital transmission

(a) bya personwho orentitythat is authorisedforthatpurposeby(j) theownerof thecopyright; or

(ii) operation oflaw; and(b) as an accessory that occurs during the normal operation of the11


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005equipment used andwhich is(i) automatically deleted; and(ii) incapable of beingretrievedforanyotherpurpose than"

those referred tointhissubsection.Reproduction and adaptation ofcomputer PJ."Ograms20. (1) The reproduction, in a singlecopy,or the adaptation of a computerprogram by the lawful owner of a copy of that computer program is not aninfringement ofcopyright ifthereproduction oradaptation isnecessary for(a) the useof thecomputer program withacomputer forthepurposeandextentforwhich thecomputerprogram hasbeenobtained; or(b) archival purpose andforthereplacement ofthelawfully owned copyof the computerprogramin the event that the said copyof thecomputer program is lost,destroyed or rendered unusable.(2) A reproduction or anadaptation of a computerprogramshallnotbeused foranyotherpurpose than those specified insubsection (1)anda reproductionoradaptation shall bedestroyed when thecontinued possession ofthereproductionoradaptation becomes unlawful.

Permitted use ofprotected copyrightwork byHbrary and archive21. (1) A library andarchive withactivities thatarenotforgainmay, withouttheauthorisation oftheauthor orotherownerofcopyright, make a single copyoftheworkby reprographic reproduction.(2) A reprographic reproductionupder subsection (1)maybe made whentheworkreproduced is a published article, othershortworkorshortextractof aworkand wherethe purpose of the reproduction is to satisfythe requestof anindividual.

(3) The library orarchive shall under subsection (1) ascertain thatthecopyis tobe usedsolelyfor the purpose of study, scholarship or privateresearch.(4) The actof reproduction undersubsection (1) shall be an isolated casewhich shall occuron separate andunrelated occasions andshalloccur where(a) thereis nocollective licence l:I,vailable underwhichcopiescanbemade,or .

(b) thecopyis made inorderto preserve or replace acopywhich hasbeen lost,destroyedorrendetedunusableinthe pennanentcoUectionof similarlibraryor archiveif it is impossible to obtainthecopyunder reasonable conditions.(5) Where a library or, archive requires morethana single copyofa workbyreprographic reproduction, thepermission for this shall beobtained fromtheauthor, otherownerofcopyright orfromanappropriatecollective administrationsociety authorised bythepublisher.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(6) Theprovisions ofthissection aresubject totheinterest ofthepublisher,authoror therelevantcollectiveadministration society.

Permitted use of work or publication ofportrait in public interest events22. (1) The accidental or incidentalinclusionof a workin the reportingofanewsbroadcastof fresh eventsorofnewinformation is notaninfringementof therightsoftheauthorinthework.

(2) Thepublication oftheportraitofa person isnotan infringement oftherights of the author or other person having an interest in the portrait where thepublication is relatedto scientific, educational orcultural purposes in general ortofactsoreventsofpublic interestoreventsthathaveoccurredinpublic.Ephemeral recordings23. (1) Whereaworkisbroadcast, thebroadcaster maymakearecording ofthebroadcastwiththebroadcaster's ownfacility andmayproduce copies oftherecord ingforthebroadcasters own use.

(2) Subjecttosubsection (3)ofthissection, thecopies oftherecording shallbe destroyed by the broadcaster within six months after the date on which therecording was made.(3) An authorisedrecording undersubsection (1)of this sectionofexcep tionaldocumentary charactermaybe preservedforpresentation to the National

Archives.(4) The preservationof anauthorisedrecording for presentation to theNationalArchivesdoes not affect the rights of the author in the work that wasbroadcast.(5) Whether a recording of a broadcast is of exceptional documentarycharacterisaquestion offacttobedetermined bythebroadcasteraftertakingintoconsideration the circumstances of the case and in particular the need for theenhancementof thehistorical andcultural aspects oflifeinthecountry.

Copies of Sound Recordings, Mechanical Reproduction Rights ofComposersProductionofcopies ofsound recordings24. (1) Amanufacturer, producerorproduction company ofsound recordings maymakecopiesof anymusicalworkor a similaradaptation, ifcopiesof themusicalworkora similar adaptationof themhavepreviously beenmadein or importedintotheRepublic forthepurposeof retailsaleandthecopiesweremade withthelicence of or imported by the owner of the copyright or authorised collectiveadministration society.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(2) Beforethemaking ofthecopies under subsection (1), themanufacturer,producer orproduction company shall givetheownerofthecopyright orauthorisedcollectiveadministration society notice oftheintention tomake thecopies andthe

address atwhichtheperson intends tomakethem:(3) Themanufacturer, producer orproduction company shall, notlaterthanfifteen daysbefore thesaleofacopymadebythatperson underthissection, sendtotheowner ofthecopyright ortheperson authorised bytheowner forthepurpose,byregistered post, notice oftheperson'sintention to sellordistribute in anyothermanner thecopies made. . . ,(4) Thenotice shall contain

(a) thename andaddress ofthemanufacturer, producer or productioncompany, .' , . , , . .(b) the title of the work towhich the notice relates with sufficientdescription to identify theauthor of theworkanditspublisher,

(c) thetypeofsound recording onwhich themanufacturer, producer, orproduction company intendsto producetheworkandanestimateofthenumberofcopies themanufacturer, producerorproductioncompany initially intends tosell,(d) theordinary selling price oftheCopies the ~ U f a c t u r e r , producer or

production company intends to sell and ~ amount ofroyaltypayable for them, and .I . .. . . . ..(e) theearliestdateonwhichanyOf thecopiesmaybe available forsale. .(5) The manufacturer, producer or production company shall make amechanical royalty payment oneachcopyofasoundrecording totheownerofthecopyrightthroughthe appropriate collectiveadministration societyestablishedunder section 49ofthisActwithin fourteen daysafterthemanufacturer, producer

ortheproduction company hassentthenotice totheownerofthecopyright ortheperson authorised bytheowner.(6) The royalty payable by the, manufacturer, producer or productioncompany orpublisher shallbe anamou1'l.t}\'Ot less than sevenpercentumor suchhigherpercentageas the CopyrightTribunalrnay recommend, of the ordinaryretail priceofeachcopyofthe sound recordirtgmade under thissection.(7) It shall beaninfringementofcopyright if a manufacturerorpllblisherdeals inacopy ofa sound recording madeundeithis section without themechanical

royalty payment.14


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690Enforcement Provisions

Security device for sound and audio-visual recording25. (1) A manufacturer importer or publisher of sound or audio-visualrecording shallontheapproval oftheMinisterpurchase asecuritydevicefromtheInternalRevenue Serviceas maybe required to cover the numberof copyrightworks themanufacturer, importerorpublisherintends to sellordistribute.

(2) The security deviceshallbefixedtoeachcopyof thecopyrightworkmade orpublished bytheapplicant.(3) A person shallnotsellorexhibitforsaleacopyrightworkthatrequiresa securitydevice, without a security deviceaffixedto it.(4) A person who sells or exhibits for sale a copyright work without a

security deviceobtainedfromthe InternalRevenueServiceaffixedto it commitsanoffence andisliable onsummary conviction toa fine ofnotlessthanfive hundredpenalty units.Importationofpre-recorded music and othercopyrightworks26. (1) Anofficerof theCustoms, ExciseandPreventive Service shall, unlesssatisfied thatanimportedsoundrecording orothercopyrightworkis notapiratedproduct, notpermittheimportation of thecopyright workwithout written clearancefromtherightowneroftheworkandtheCopyright Office.Levyon devices used for reproducing copyright materials27. (1) Thereshallbe imposedonanydevicecapableof beingusedto copyacopyrightworkalevyofasumthatshall beprescribed inRegulations madebytheMinister inconsultation with theMinisterresponsible forFinance.

(2) The levy shall be collected by the Customs, Excise and PreventiveService at the timeof importation orproduction.(3) Theprovisions oftheCustoms, Excise andPreventive Service (Manage ment) Law, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 330)asvariously amended shall apply forthepurposeof thecollection ofthelevy.(4) Thelevyshallupon collection bytheCustoms,ExciseandPreventiveServicebe deposited inafundestablished for therightholders by theMinister.(5) The fundshallbe subject to an annualauditby theAuditor-Generalor anauditorappointed by theAuditor-General.(6) The Auditor-General or an auditorappointedby theAuditor-Generalshall submit theaudit report to theMinister andtheappointed collective administrationsociety established undersection 49 of thisAct.(7) TheMinisterinconsultation withtheexecutiveofficers of theappropriate collectiveadministration society shall causethedistribution ofthe levy tothe, right holders.

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Act 6.90 Copyright Act, 2005(8) Anyexception, quantumand modalities forthedistribution ofthelevyshall beprovidedforin Regulations madeunder this Act.(9) A personshallnot importany devicecapableof copying protected

materials without payment ofthelevy.(10) A person whoimports adevice without payment ofthe levy commitsanoffence andisliable onsummary conviction toa fine ofnotless than two hundredandfifty penalty units orimprisonment foratermnotexeeedingtwelve months.Protection ofPerformers and Broadcasting Organisations

Performers rights28. (1) A person shall notwithout theauthorization ofaperformer(a) broadcast or communicate .a performance of the pe.rformerdirectly orindirectly tothepublic except(i) where the broadcastorcommunication tothepublic ismadefrom apreviously authorised fixation, or .(ii) where thetransmission.is onethathasbeenauthorisedbythe broadcasting organisation that transmits the firstperformance,(b) arrange the fixationof a performance not previouslyfixed on aphysical medium, . ';

(c) exercise therightofreproductionofthefixation in anymannerorform,(d) provide the firstpublicdistribution of theoriginal C>r acopy of afixation ofa performance,(e) provide or obtaina rentalofthe originalor a copy of theperformance forthepurposeofdirectorfndirectcommercial advantage,irrespectiveoftheownership ()f theoriginal orcopyrented, or (f) make available tothepublicafixedperfonnance bywire orwirelessmeans, in a waythatmembers of thepublic mayaccessit from aplace andatatimeindividually chosen bythem.

(2) A performer hasthe e x c l u s i v e ~ ~ t t Q authorise orprohibit ._(a) the rebroadcasting, rental.knd distribution of a fixation of theperformance,(b) thefixation of t h e ~ a n c e , (c) thereproduction of a f i ~ t i O J l > Q f t h e performance; or(d) thecommunication to thepllbJicoftheperformaneeexcept wheretheperformance hasbeefilawt'ully fixedon audiovisualor audiorecording media which maybe broadcast without theconsent oftheperformer, ifthe recordings havebeenpublished; subjectto thepayment of equitable remuneration to the performer.

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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 ofthe performer may use the performance or authorise others to use it shall bedetermined by reference to the nature of the contract of employment or serviceunless agreed otherwise.

(4) The consent of the elected representative of a group participating inchoral, orchestral or stage performance shall satisfy the conditions of subsection (2)and where the group has no representative, the consent of the performers belongingto the group shall be expressed by the consent of the leader of the group.Duration ofperformer'sright29. The rights of a performer in respect of the performance are protected for aperiod of seventy years starting from the end of the calendar year in which theperformance 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'srighttocontract30. Subject to sections 5 and 28 (3) a provision in this Act shall not preclude theright of a performer to enter into a contract with any person on such terms andconditions, as the performer considers appropriate for the use of the performanceby another person.Moral rightsofa performer31. A performer has the right independent of the economic rights of the ownerand even after the transfer of those rights,

(a) to requiretobe identifiedwiththe performer's liveoral performancesandperformances fixed in phonograms; and

(b) to object to any distortion, multilation or other modification of apersonal performance which would be prejudicial to the reputationof the performer.

Authorisation relatingto broadcast32. In the absence of any law or contract to the contrary, the provisions ofsection 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 solelyto enable the broadcasting of the performance.17


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005Broadcasting organisations33.A broadcasting organisationhastheexclusiveright to 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 signals34. Abroadcastingorganisation hastherightin relation toitsprogramme carryingsignals, to prevent the distribution in the Republic or from the Republicof anysignalsby anydistributorforwhom the signalswerenot intended.Limitation oneconomic rights of performers andbroadcasting organisations35. The provisionsof sections 28 and 33 of thisAct shall not apply where theacts referred to areconcerned with

(a) privateuse,(b) thereporting of currentevents,whichinvolvestheuseof onlyshortexcerptsof a performance, sound recording, audio visual work orbroadcast,(c) teaching or scientific research,(d) quotations in the form of short excerpts of a performance, sound

recording, audio-visual workorbroadcast, which arecompatiblewithfair practiceand arejustified by the informative purpose of thosequotations, and(e) cases where, under permitted users of copyright in sections 19to23 a work can be used without the authorisation of the author orotherowner of the copyright.

Durationof rights of broadcastingorganisation36. The rightsof a broadcastingorganisationreferredto in sections33, and34areprotected until theexpiration of forty yearsfromthedateofmakingthebroadcastor the signal.Publicperformance anduseofcopyright work37. (1) Where inany public place bymeans ofbroadcasting,cinematography, jukeboxor other apparatus,a soundrecording or audio visualwork is usedthe authorisedperformerandproducerof thesoundrecordingor audio visual workshallbeentitledto royaltyin accordancewith thisAct.

(2) An owner of copyright is entitled to collect royalties for the liveperformanceof the copyright work or for the public performance of the recordedcopyrightwork.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690General Provisions

Thepublicdomain38. (1) Thefollowing worksbelongto thepublicdomain(a) workswithexpired terms of protection,(b) worksby authorswho have renouncedtheirrights, and(c) foreignworksthat do notenjoyprotectionin theRepublic.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this sectionrenunciation by an author or the author's successor in title of the author's rightsprovidedunder section5 shallbe by writing andmadepublic,but the renunciationshall notconflictwithanyprevious contractual obligation relating to the work.(3) Subject to the payment of a fee that may bespecifiedbytheMinisteraworkthathas fallen intothepublic domain maybeusedwithout anyrestriction.

(4) ThereshallbeestablishedbytheMinistera fundfor thedepositofanymoney that accruesfrom the payment of fees under subsection(3).(5) Thefundshall beestablishedwiththeapproval oftheAccountant-Generalandshallbe forthebenefitof institutions thatpromotethe arts,authors,performers,producers of soundrecording, translators andtheartsin general, exceptthat separatehead accounts shallbe assignedto the respectivearts.(6) Thefund shallbe managed by theCopyrightAdministratorin consultation withtheMinister.

Registrationof works39. (1) The Copyright Administrator appointed under section 68 shall openandmaintain registersin which shallbe registeredassociationsof authors,worksand productions.(2) Thepurposesof registrationare

(a) to maintain a record of works,(b) topublicisetherightsof theowners,and(c) to giveevidenceof theownershipandauthentication of intellectualproperty.(3) A publisherofworkin theRepublic maysubmit theworkforregistrationbytheCopyrightAdministratorafteritspublication andtwocopies of thebesteditionmay be deposited at the Copyright Office.

(4) Copyright protection of a work shall not be dependent on the registrationof the work.Presumption of authorship40. (1) An individual whosenameis indicatedas theauthoron any workshall.be presumed to be the author of the work in the absence of any proof to thecontrary.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(2) Thisprovision shallalsoapplywherethenameusedisa pseudonym ifthepseudonym doesnotleaveanydoubt asto theidentityof theauthor.(3) Thepresumption of authorship alsoapplies to workscreatedbymore

thanoneauthor.Infringementofcopyright and related rights41. (1) Subjectto thisActthe doingof allactcontraryto

(a) therightsof an authorundersections5 and6,(b) therightsof a performerundersections28, 30 and31(c) therightsof broadcasting organisations undersections 33and34constitutes aninfringementofcopyright orrelated right, asthecasemaybe,andtherightownermayseekreliefin a civilaction undersection 44.Copyright andrelated rightsoffences42. (1) A personwho

(a) reproduces, duplicates, extracts, imitates or imports intothecountry,exceptforthat person's privateuse,anywork,(b) causes tobereproduced, duplicated, extracted, imitatedor importedintothecountryexceptforthe person'sprivateuseany work,(c) distributes or permitsorcauses tobedistributedin the countrybywayof saleor otherwiseany work,(d) exhibits or permitsor causestobeexhibitedin publicany work,(e) removes oralters anyelectronic rights management information,(f) distributes, importsfor distribution, broadcasts, communicates ormakes available tothepublic, works, performances, copiesoffixedperformancesor soundrecordingsknowingthatelectronic rightmanagement information has been removed or altered withoutauthority, or(g) manufactures, imports,distributes, exports,sells,rents, possessesfor commercial purposes, offers to the public, advertises,communicates or otherwise provides any device, product orcomponent that is designed or adapted to remove, alter or addelectronic rights management information, or(h) circumvents any technological protection measureappliedby therightholderto theprotectedwork,or ,(i) manufactures, imports, distributes, exports,sells,rents,possessesfor commercial purposes, offers to the public, advertises,communicatesor otherwiseprovides without authoritydevices,

components, services or other means, designed, adapted, orpromoted tocircumventsucha measure, or20


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(j) rentsor lendsto thepublicany workwhere thepersonperforming theactkneworhad reasonable grounds toknowthattheaction induces, enables, facilitates orconceals aninfringementofanycopyright

or relatedrightprotectedunderthisAct withoutthelicenceorauthorisation oftheperson whoserightsareprotected underthisActor theagentof thatpersonwhoserights areprotected, infringes theprotected rights andcommits anoffence punishableundersection43ofthisAct. .Penalty for copyright offence43. Apersonwhoinfringes arightprotectedunderthisActcommits anoffenceandis liable on summary conviction toafineofnotmorethanonethousandpenaltyunits andnotlessthanfivehundred penalty units ortoa termof imprisonment ofnotmore thanthree yearsor to both;andinthecaseof acontinuingoffencetoafurtherfineofnotlessthantwenty-five penalty units andnotmorethanonehundred penaltyunitsforeachday duringwhichtheoffencecontinues..Offences related to folklore44. (1) A person shall not sell,offer orexposefor sale or distributionin theRepublic copiesof(a) worksoffolkloremadein oroutsidethe Republic, or(b) translations, adaptations, arrangements of folklore madeoutside theRepublicwithout thepermission in writing oftheNational FolkloreBoard.(2) A personwhocontravenes thissection commitsanoffence andis liableon summaryconvictionto a fineofnotmore thanone thousandpenaltyunitsandnotlessthanonehundred andfifty penalty unitsor toa termof imprisonmentofnotmorethan three yearsor toboth;andinthecaseof acontinuing offenceto a furtherfineofnotlessthantwenty-five penalty unitsforeachdayduring whichtheoffencecontinues.Offences by body of persons45. (1) Where anoffenceiscommittedbya bodyof personsunderthisAct

(a) in the case of a body corporate other than a partnership, everydirectoror secretary of thebodycorporateshallalsobe deemedtohavecommittedtheoffence, and(b)' in thecaseof apartnership,every partner shall alsobe deemedtohavecommitted the ~ f f ~ n c e . (2) A personshallnot be consideredto havecommittedan offenceunderthissectionifthe personprovesto thesatisfaction of the courtthat theoffenceinrespectof whichthe personis charged w ~ committedby someotherpersonandwaswithoutthe consentor connivanceof the personcharged andthat thepersonchargedexercised thediligence required-to prevent the commission of thatoffencethatthatpersonoughtto haveexercised havingregardto thecircumstances.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005Compensation to victim of offence and forfeiture46. Inaddition toanypunishment imposed bythecourtin respect ofanoffenceunder this Act, thecourtmayorder

(a) that the sumsofmoney arising outof theoffencebepaidto theperson entitled under thisActtothosesums, and(b) that the reproduction, duplication, eXtract, imitation andothermaterialinvolved intheinfringement, andtheimplementordevice used intheinfringement beforfeited anddisposedofas thecourtmaydirecthaving regard tothe circumstances relating totheinfringement.

Civil remedies47. (1) Aperson whose rights under thisActarein imminent danger ofbeinginfringed orare being infringed upon may iJ}itiate civil proceedings intheHigh Court(a) for an injunction to prevent the infringement or prohibit thecontinuation ofthe infringement,(b) in respect of imported goodsor goods ready for export, for anorder requiring theCustoms, Excise andPreventive Service to detainthegoods, or(c) fortherecovery ofdamages fortheinfringement.

(2) Onanexparte application, theCourt may make anorder inchambers forthe inspection or removal fromthedefendant's premises ofcopyright infringingmaterials which constituteevidenceofinfringement bythedefendant.(3) Thegrant ofan injunction under subsection (1)of this section shall notaffect theclaim fordamages inrespect of loss sustained bytheapplicant asaresultoftheinfringementoftheapplicant's rights under thisAct.

(4) Aperson whosustains damage from aninfringementofthatperson'srights underthisActmay institute civilproceedings againsttheperson responsible forthe infringement whether ornottheperson hasbeen successfully prosecutedunder this Act.{5}. Wherethe Customs, ExciseandPreventive Service (CEPS) detaingoods under subsection (l)(b)

(a) theright holder ortheperson upon whose application theorder wasmade shall provide totheCEPS a sufficiently detaileddescriptionofthegoods tomake themreadily recognisable bytheCEPS;(b) theCEPS shall release thegoods to theirowner ifwithin ten workingdaysitisnot informed-by theperson uponwhose application theorderwasmadethat _(i) proceedings leading toadecision onthemerits ofthecase

havebeen initiated byapartyotherthan theownerofthedetained goods, or22


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(ii) an extensionof the order for the detentionof the goodshadbeengrantedbytheappropriate authority.(6) A right holder may apply directly to the CEPS for the detention of

goods uponthe grounds statedinsubsection (1)(b); andsubsection (5) shall applyto suchan application asappropriate exceptthatbeforetheapplication isgranted,the applicant shall provide sufficient information to satisfy theCEPS thatthere isaninfringementor imminent infringement of therights holder'scopyright or relatedright. (7) Uponreceiptof anapplication undersubsection (6),theCEPSshallwithin fourteen days, inform theapplicant of(a) thedecision of theCEPSontheapplication; and(b) wheretheapplication isgranted, theperiodof thedetention of the

goods.Settlementofdisputes48. (l) Where any dispute arises between any parties under this Act or inrelation toanycopyright orclaimunderthisAct, theparties involved in thedisputemayseekto negotiate a settlement of thedispute.(2) Wherenegotiation under subsection (1)fails, a report maybe madebyeither or both parties to the CopyrightAdministrator who shall mediate for asettlement.(3) A partydissatisfied with adecision tosubmittomediation made undersubsection (2)mayseekredress fromacourt ofcompetentJurisdiction.CoDeetiveadministration societies49. (1) Authors,producers, performersand publishersmayformcollectiveadministration societies forthepromotion andprotectionoftheirinterest.(2) A collective administration societymayacting ontheauthority of theownerofa rightcollect anddistribute royalties andotherremuneration accruing totheowner.(3) TheMinistermaybylegislative instrumentmakeRegulations for theformation, operation andadministration of societies.Copyright monitoring team50. (1) Thereisby thisActestablished a copyrightmonitoring teamreferredtoas''themonitoring team".(2) Themonitoring teamshall comprise anumberof policeofficers,fiverepresentativesof Copyright owners andtwoofficers oftheCopyright Office thattheCopyrightOffice mayrequire.

(3) Themonitoring teamshall(a) monitor copyright works,(b) investigate casesinrespect ofcopyright,23


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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 beseconded to theCopyrightOfficeforperiodsarid ontermsthatthe MinisterofJUstice andtheMinister ofInterior maydetermine on theadvice of theCopyrightAdministrator andtheInspector General ofPolice.Establishment oftheCopyrightTribunal51. There is establisheda CopyrightTribunal referredto in this Act as the"Tribunal".Composition of the Tribunal .

52. TheTribunal shall comprise threepersons, oneofwhom shall bea lawyer ofatleasttenyears standing whoshall bethechairperson.Functionsof theTribunal53. TheTribunal shall(a) hearanddetermine(i) a matterreferred toitpursuant toaprovision relating toalicensing scheme, and

(ii) anapplication to settle theroyalty orother sumpayable forrental ofasoundrecording, filmorcomputer programme;(b) keep.under review the prescribedrate of royalty payable. to aperfonnerinconnection with anadaptation ofan()riginalrecmting ofa perfonnance;and(c) make recommendations to theMinisterontherateofroyalties orotherpaymentspayablein respectof theuseor presentation in anational cultural event, of any work ~ performance in whichcopyright orotherrights subsist. .(2) In relation toits functions under.subsection (l)(b) theTribunal mayon

itsowninitiative andshall,ona requestmadeinwritingby theMinister, enquireinto theappropriateness ofanyrate fixed andmake recofllIllendations to theMinisterwithrespect totherateasthe T r i b t 1 n a l ~ Q n s i d e r s appropriate. .' .Tenure ofofficeofmembers ofthe Tribunal

54. (I) Amember ofthe Tribunal shallbeappointed bytheMinisterandshallhold officefor a period of not morethan 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 office bynoticc!itlwriting totheMinister; or

24
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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(b) bynotice inwriting fromtheMinister to themember toberemovedfromoffice onaccount of

(i) bankruptcy,(ii) having made an arrangement with creditors or, havingexecuted a trust deed for creditors or entered into acomposition contract, or(iii) beingincapacitated byphysical ormental illness.

(3) If a memberof theTribunalis by reasonof illness,absenceorother,reasonable causeunable toperform theduties of office, eithergenerally orinrelationto particular proceedings, theMinister mayappoint another person to dischargetheduties of thememberorinrelation tothoseproceedings foraperiodnotexceedingsixmonths atonetime, andaperson soappointed shall have during theperiod oftheappointment, orin relation totheproceedings inquestion, the samepowers as themember in whose place the person is appointed.Allowances ofmembers55. AmemberoftheThbunal shall receive remuneration that1heMinisterdetennines.Proceedingsof theTribunal56. (1) Wherepartof anyproceedings beforetheTribunal hasbeenheardanda memberof theTribunal is unable to continue, theTribunalshall remaindulyconstituted for thepurpose of thoseproceedings so longastwomembers remain.

(2) I f thechairperson is unable to continue, thechairperson shall(a) appointone of theremaining members toactaschairperson, and(b) where necessaryappointa suitablyqualifiedperson to attend theproceedings andadvise themembers onanyquestions of lawarising.

(3) A person is"suitably qualified" forthepurposes of subsection (2)iftheperson iseligibleforappointment as,chairperson of theTribunal.(4) The Tribunal shall sit at a place and time to be determined by thechairperson or thememberfor thetimebeingactingas thechairperson.

Rules of procedure57. (1) The Ministershallmakeregulations to governthe proceedings oftheCopyright Tribunal.(2) Regulations madeundersubsection (1)may

(a) empowertheTribunal nottoentertainarepresentative organisationunlesstheTribunal is satisfiedthat the organisation is reasonablyrepresentative oftheclassof thepersonsit claimstorepresent;

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(b) provide forthemanner inwhichtheparties toanyproceedings istobe determined and enable the Tribunal to join as a party toproceedings anypersonororganisation thattheTribunal is satisfiedhasa substantial interest inthematter; and(c) require theTribunal to givetheparties toproceedings anopportunityto state their case, in writing or orally as the Regulationsmayprovide.

Appeal58. (1) Anappeal lies onanypoint oflawarising from adecision of theTribunaltotheHighCourt. .

(2) TheTribunal may, bywayofcasestated, refera question' oflawtotheHigh Court foritsopinion.(3) The decisionof the HigK Court, whetheron an appeal or on a casestated, shall be binding ontheTribunal.

National Folklore BoardNatiomll Folklore Board

59. (1) Thereisestablished bythisActa National Folklore Boardreferredtoin thisActas ''theBoard".(2) TheBoardshall consist of(a) achairperson,(b) theCopyright.Administrator,(c) aperson nominated bytheNational Commission onCulture; and(d) sixotherpersonswhoshanbeappointed by the President in consultation withtheCouncil ofState.

Tenure of members oftheBoard60. (1) Themembers oftheBoard shallholdoffice forfouryears andareeligiblefor re-appointment ontheexpiryof thepet;ic;x:l.

(2) Amember oftheBoardmay resjgn from office inwriting addressedtothePresident through theChairperson. .(3) Where theoffice of amember otherthan anex-officio memberbecomesvacantbeforetheexpiryof thetermof the memberor if for anyother reason themember isunable toperform thefunctions ofoffice, theChairperson shallnotifythePresident whoshall, acting inconsultation withtheCouncil ofState, appoint anotherperson tocomplete the unexpiredtermofoffice.(4) Aperson appointedto complete theunexpired termof a membermayafterserving the unexpired termbeappointedamemberoftheBoard.

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690Allowances for members61. Members of theBoardshall bepaidallowances determined bytheMinisterinconsultation withtheMinister responsible forFinance.Meetings of the Board62. (1) TheBoardshall meettoconductbusiness attimesandat places thatthechairperson may determineexcept that theBoardshall meet at leastonceeverythree months. .

(2) TheBoardshallregulate theprocedure of itsmeetings.Functions of the Board63. TheBoard shall(a) administer, monitorandregisterexpressions of folklore on behalfof theRepublic,(b) maintain a register ofexpressions offolklore attheCopyright Office,(e) preserve and monitor the use of expressions of folkore in theRepublic,

(d) provide members of the public with information and advice onmatters relating to folklore,(e) promote activities which will increase public awareness on theactivities of theBoard, and(j) promote activities for the dissemination of expressions of folklore within theRepublic andabroad.Use of folklore64. (1) A person who intends to use folklore for any purpose other than aspermittedunder section 19ofthisAct,shall apply totheBoardforpermission intheprescribed form andthepersonshallpaya fee thattheBoardmaydetermine.

(2) There shall be established by the Minister with the approval of theAccountant-General a fund for the deposit of any fees that may be charged inrespect of the useoffolklore.(3) ThefundshallbemanagedbytheBoardandshallbeused(a) for thepreservation andpromotion of folklore, and(b) for thepromotion ofindigenous arts.

Administration, the Copyright Office and Miscellaneous MattersEstablishmentof the Copyright Office65. (1) Thereisestablished bythisActtheCopyright Office.

(2) The Copyright Office shall consist of the Copyright Administratorappointed under section 68 ofthisActandotherofficers employedfortheCopyrightOffice.

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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(3) Theheadquarters oftheCopyrightOfficeshallbeinAccra.(4) Theremaybeopened regional branches of theCopyrightOffice insuchregions as the Minister acting on the advice of the Legal Service Board maydetermine.

O b j ~ t a n d functionsof the Copyright Office66. (1) TheCopyrightOffice isresponsible for theadministration ofcopyright.(2) In pursuance of itsobjecttheCopyrightOfficeshall(a) implement copyrightandcopyrightrelatedlawsandregulations andprovide forcopyright administration;

(b) investigate andredress casesofinfringementofcopyright, andsettledisputes of copyright wherethosedisputeshavenot beenreservedforsettlement bytheCopyrightTribunal;(c) beresponsible fortheadministration ofexternal copyrightrelations;

(d) administer copyrights of whichtheStateis theowner;(e) carryoutotherduties in relation tocopyrightadministration.

Governingbody .67. Thegoverning bodyoftheCopyrightOffice shallbetheLegal ServiceBoard.CopyrightAdministrator ..68. (l) The chief executive of the ~ o p y r i g h t Office shall be the CopyrightAdministratorwhoshall be appointed bythePresident in accordance withtheadviceof the Legal Service Board given in consultation with the Public ServicesCommission.

(2) TheCopyrightAdministratorshallholdofficeon termsandconditionsspecified in the letterof appointment of theCopyrightAdministrator.(3) The CopyrightAdministratorshall be responsibleforthe day-to-dayadministration oftheCopyrightOfficesubjectto directivesthattheLegalService

Boardmaygive.(4) TheCopyrightAdministratOrmaydelega.re anyoftheduties ofthe o ~ c e . Appointmentof statTof the Copyright Office69. (1) The Copyright Office shall haveotherofficers andemployees thatarenecessaryfor the properandeffectiveperformance of its functions." '(2) The staffoftheCopyright Officeshallperformsuchfunctions thattheCopyrightAdministrator mayassignto them.

(3) ThePresident shall appoint thestaffandemployees oftheCopyrightOfficein accordancewith article195of theConstitution ontermsandconditions thatthePresideritmaydetermine.28


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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690(4) The LegalServiceBoardmayengagetheservicesofconsultants andadvisers as it considers necessary upon the recommendation of the Copyright

. Administrator.(5) Publicofficers maybe transferred or seconded to theCopyright Officeor mayotherwiseberequiredtogiveassistance to it.Funds of the Copyright Oftice70. Thefundsfortheoperation oftheCopyright Officeshall include(a) moneyapproved by Parliament fortheOffice,(b) donations,(c) gifts,and

(d) money received from anyothersource approved bytheMinisterforFinance.Budget71. TheCopyrightOfficeshaJI submitto theMinisterresponsible forFinancethrough the Minister at the end of each financial year detailedestimatesof the .budgetfortheCopyright Office fortheensuingyear.Accounts and audit72. (1) TheCopyright Officeshallkeepbooksof accountandproperrecordsin relation to them andthebooksandrecordsof theCopyrightOfficeshallbeinsuchformas theAuditor-General mayapprove.

(2) The accountbooksand recordsof theCopyrightOfficeshall,withinthree months afterthefinancial yearbe audited bytheAuditor-General oranauditorapprovedbytheAuditor-General andareportontheauditshallbesubmitted to theBoard. ...

(3) The financial year of the Copyright Office shall be the same as thefinancial yearoftheGovernment.Annual report73. (I) TheCopyrightOffice shall aftertheexpiration ofeachfinancial yearbutwithin sixmonthsaftertheendoftheyear, submit totheMinister through theLegalService Boardan annual reportcoveringtheactivitiesof theCopyright Officeforthe yearto whichthereportrelates.

(2) Theannual report submitted undersubsection (1)shall include thereportof theAuditor-General.(3) TheMinister shall, within twomonths after thereceiptoftheannual report

submit the report toParliament with such statement astheMinister considers necessary.(4) TheCopyrightOffice shall alsosubmit totheMinisterotherreport thattheMinister mayinwriting request.29


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005Regulations

74 .TheMinister mayby legislative instrument make regulations(a) fortheregistration anddeposit of works,(b) inconsultation with theMinister responsible forFinance forthelevypayable on technical devices usedforcopying copyright materials,(c) fortheform andscope ofcontracts andlicences relatingto publishing,performance, soundrecording andaudio-visual productions, and(d) generally forcarrying intoeffect theprovisions ofthisAct.Minister'spowerotdelegation'75. TheMinister may delegate anypower oftheMinister under this ActinwritingtotheCopyrightAdministrator orany o ~ e r ~ u b l i c officer.

Interpretation76. In thisActunless thecontext otherwise requires"artisticwork' means irrespectiveof artisticquality anyofthefollowing 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 handicraft or produced on anindustrial scale;" audio-visual work"meansa work: thatconsistsof a seriesof relatedimageswhichimpartthe impression of motion,with or withoutaccompanying sounds, susceptible ofbeing made visible, .andwhereaccompanied by sounds susceptible ofbeingmadeaudible;"author" means a person who creates a work, and itltlleca.se of

c i n e m a t o ~ r a p h i c w ( ) r ~ o r , ~ o u n d recording m e a n ~ theperson bywhom thearrangemet1tS for the making oftheworkorrecording is. undertaken; , .,... ."Board" means theNatiorialFolklore Board;"broadcasting" means the t r a n s m i t t i n ~ f o r reception bythegeneral public. over a distance by means of radio, television, electromagneticemissions, light beams, wire, cableorothermeans;"choreographic work"includesforms ofdanee, whetherornotindramatic

form;"collective Iicence"means atieence issued byacollective administrationbody under which copies of aprotected work canbe made;30
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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690" communication to the public" means the transmission, other thanbroadcasting,by wireor without wire, of the imagesor soundsor

bothof a work, a performance or a sound recordingin sucha waythatthe imagesor soundscan be perceivedby personsoutside thenormal circle of a family and its closest social acquaintances at aplace or places so distant from the place where the transmissionoriginates thatwithout thetransmission, theimagesor soundswouldnot be perceivableirrespectiveof whether thepersoncan receiveimagesor soundsat the sameplace andtime, or at differentplacesor timesindividually chosen bythem;"copy"meansa reproduction ofa workin a writtenform,or in theformofa recording or film, orinanymannerorform,butanobjectshallnotbe takentobe acopyof anarchitectural workunlesstheobjectis a buildingor a model;"derivative work"means a workresulting fromadaptation, translation orother transformationof an original work in so far as it constitutesan independent creation;"device" includes audio or visual cassettes, compact discs, CDRom's, VCR's, photocopymachinesand anyotherdeviceusedtocopycopyright materials;

"fixation" means theembodiment ofsounds, images orimagesandsoundsorofrepresentations made fromthemfromwhichthesounds, imagesor images and soundscan be perceived,reproducedor communi catedthrougha device;"folklore" means theliterary, artistic andscientific expressions belongingto the culturalheritageof Ghanawhich arecreated,preservedanddevelopedby ethniccommunitiesof Ghana or by an unidentifiedGhanaian author,and includes kente and adinkra designs, wherethe author of the designs are not known, and any similar workdesignatedunderthisAct to be worksof folklore;"literary work"includes

(a) novels,storiesor poeticalworks;(b) plays, stage directions, film scenarios or broadcastingscripts;(c) textbooks, treaties, histories, biographies, essays orarticles;(d) encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, time tables,anthologies, databases or compilation of data or othermaterial, whether inmachine readable form, which byreasonof the selection or arrangement of contents constitutesintellectual creations;31


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(e)(j)(g)

letters, reports ormemoranda;lectures, addresses or sermons; andcomputer programmes whatever maybethemode orformofexpression;"mechanical right"meansthe rightof theauthorto reproduce literary,dramatic or musicalworks in theformof soundrecordings andaudio-visual worksproducedmechanically and includeselectroacoustic andelectronic procedures the rights of whichare usuallyadministered byauthors, societies orother appropriate organisations;."Minister" means theMinisterresponsible forJustice;"musical work" includes anymusical workitrespective ofitsmusical quality

andwords composed formusical accompaniment;" owner"meansthepersonto whomthecopyrightin a workbelongsandincludes theheirofan author oranassignee in whole orinpartofacopyright;"performance"means the presentationof a work by suchaction asdancing, playing, reciting, singing,delivering, declaimingorprojectingto listeners or spectators;"performer" means the a c t o r . d t \ ~ f . e , ; r , musician, singerandotherpersonswhoact, sing, deliver. declaim, playinorotherwise perform literaryorartistic worksorexpressions of folklore;"producer" meansapersonor anentitythat(a) finances ororganises(i) stage performances; or(ii) productions; or(b) undertakes thefirstfixation ofaudio-visual workorsoundrecording"public performance" means(a) in thecaseof a workotherthananaudiovisual work,the

recitation, playing, dancing, acting orotherwise performingthe work, either directly or by means of any device orprocess;(b) inthecaseofanaudiovisual work, theshowing of imagesin sequence and the making of accompanying soundsaudible; and(c) in the case of a sound recording, making the recordedsounds audibleat a placeor atplaceswherepersons outsidethenormalcircleofthe family and its closest acquaintances are or can be present,irrespective ofwhether theyareorcanbepresent atthesameplaceandtime, oratdifferent places or times, andwhere theperformance

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Copyright Act, 2005 Act 690canbe perceived without theneedforbroadcasting orcommunicationto thepublic within themeaningof thedefinitions of ''broadcasting''and"communication tothe public";"publicplace" means anybuilding, placeorconveyance towhich forthetimebeingthe public areentitledorpermitted tohaveaccess, eitherwithout anycondition orupon condition ofmaking anypayment, andincludes theatres, hotels, cinemas, concerthalls, dancehalls,bars,clubs, sports grounds, holiday resorts, circuses, restaurants andcommercial banking andindustrial establishments;"publisher" meansapersonwho undertakes the" publication ofa workby theissueof copies to thepublic usually forsaleor in thecaseofa soundrecordingor audio-visual worka publisheris thepersonwho issues duplicates ofthe soundrecording or audiovisual work;

"programme-carrying signals" meanselectronically generated carrierstransmitting liveorrecorded material consistingof images, soundsorboth, intheiroriginal formoranyform recognisably derived fromtheoriginal, inextra-terrestrial space;"soundrecording" means workthatresults fromthefixation ofa seriesof musical, spoken orothersound, orof a representation of soundsbutdoes notinclude sounds accompanying amotion picture orotheraudio-visual workregardless ofthenatureofthematerial objects inwhichthosesounds areembodied;"systematic instructional activities" means themethodical presentation ofinformation foreducational purposes;"workofjointauthorship" means a workcreatedbytwoormoreauthorsincollaboration, inwhich the individual contributions are indistinguishable fromeachother.Repeal and saving77. (1) The CopyrightLaw, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110) is herebyrepealed.

(2) Therights, assets, properties, obligations andliabilities oftheCopyrightOfficeunderthe repealedenactmentareby thisAct transferredto the CopyrightOffice established underthisAct.(3) The repeal ofthe CopyrightLaw, 1985 (P.N.D.C.L. 110)shall notaffectanycopyright orotherrights thatwerevested inanyperson byvirtue ofthatLaw and those rights shallcontinueto be enforceable as if they wereconferredunderthisAct.(4) Anyappointment madeundertherepealedenactment andvalidat thecommencement of thisActshallremain validas if madeunderthecorresponding

provision ofthisActuntil terminated orotherwise dealtwith under thisAct.33


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Act 690 Copyright Act, 2005(5) Theemployees oftheCopyright Office inexistence immediately before

the cominginto forceof thisAct areherebytransferredto the CopyrightOfficeestablished underthisAct.Retroactive protection78. The provisions of this Act applies to works, performances and soundrecordings which weremadepriortothedateofthecomingintoeffectofthisAct,iftheterm ofproteetion hadnotexpired under theCopyrightLaw, 1985, (P.N.D.C.L.110)orunder thelegislation of thecountryoforigin ofthe works, performances orsoundrecordings thatareto beprotected underaninternational treaty towhichtheRepublic isparty.

Date of Gazette notification: 3rd June, 2005.

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