Copyrights Law in Bangladesh
Here is a comprehensive overview of Copyright Law in Bangladesh, based on the Copyright Act, 2000 (amended in 2005, 2012, and 2023):
๐ง๐ฉ Copyright Law in Bangladesh
๐ Legal Framework
Primary Law: Copyright Act, 2000 (Act No. XXVIII of 2000), last amended in 2023.
Administered by the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Bangladesh follows international standards and treaties for intellectual property protection.
๐งพ Types of Works Protected
The Act protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium, including:
Literary works โ books, articles, computer programs
Dramatic works โ plays, scripts
Musical works โ compositions with or without lyrics
Artistic works โ paintings, drawings, architecture
Cinematographic films โ movies, documentaries
Sound recordings
Broadcasts โ radio and television
Photographs
Software (explicitly recognized)
โณ Duration of Protection
| Type of Work | Duration |
|---|---|
| Literary, musical, artistic works | Life of the author + 60 years |
| Cinematographic films | 60 years from publication |
| Sound recordings | 60 years from publication |
| Anonymous or pseudonymous works | 60 years from publication |
| Government and public institution works | 60 years from publication |
โ Rights of the Author
1. Economic Rights
Authors have exclusive rights to:
Reproduce the work
Distribute copies
Perform or display publicly
Communicate to the public (e.g., broadcasts)
Translate or adapt the work
2. Moral Rights
Right to claim authorship
Right to object to distortion, mutilation, or modification
๐ก๏ธ Exceptions & Limitations
The law allows "fair dealing" in specific situations, including:
Private or personal use
Teaching and research
Criticism or review
Reporting current events
Use by libraries, archives, and educational institutions
๐๏ธ Registration
Not required for copyright protection (it arises automatically upon creation).
Voluntary registration with the Copyright Office is recommended for legal evidence.
Registration helps in court proceedings if infringement occurs.
โ๏ธ Enforcement & Penalties
Civil Remedies:
Injunctions (stop orders)
Damages and account of profits
Seizure and destruction of infringing goods
Criminal Penalties (for willful infringement):
Fine: Up to BDT 200,000 (~USD 2,000)
Imprisonment: Up to 4 years (depending on the severity)
Enforcement is carried out through civil courts and law enforcement authorities.
๐ International Commitments
Bangladesh is a member of key international IP treaties:
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement (WTO)
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Paris Convention (for industrial property)
๐ Recent Developments
The 2023 amendment introduced stronger enforcement provisions, extended protection periods, and improved digital copyright provisions (especially for online platforms and digital rights management).
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