Saturday 07 / November / 2026
Oman’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law, promulgated by Royal Decree 65/2008 and consolidated up to Royal Decree 132/2008, protects original literary, artistic and scientific works and neighbouring rights.
Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, explained that “the law protects original literary, artistic and scientific works, regardless of their value, type, form of expression or purpose. These include written and oral works, computer programmes and databases, musical and dramatic works, audiovisual works, photographs, architectural works, drawings, maps and works of applied and fine art. Protection also extends to derivative works, as well as collections and compilations whose selection or arrangement constitutes an intellectual creation. An original title of a work is also protected.”
He explained that “protection does not extend to ideas, procedures, methods of operation, mathematical concepts, principles, discoveries or data. It also excludes official documents and their official translations, as well as news of the day and current events that are merely press information. However, the compilation or arrangement of such documents or news may be protected if it is distinctive or involves intellectual effort worthy of protection.”
“Authors enjoy perpetual and inalienable moral rights, namely the right to be identified as author in the manner they specify and to prevent any distortion, modification or other derogatory treatment of their work that may prejudice their honour or reputation. They also enjoy exclusive economic rights to reproduce, translate, adapt, sell and rent their works in specified cases, as well as to authorise their public performance, communication to the public and broadcasting. Any assignment or licence of these economic rights must be made through a written contract specifying the rights concerned, purpose, duration and location of the licence,” he said.
He noted that “economic rights are protected for the author’s lifetime and 70 years from the year after death, or 70 years from the year after the death of the last surviving co-author. Audiovisual, collective, anonymous and applied-art works, performances and phonograms are protected for 95 years from the year after first legitimate publication, or 120 years from the year after completion if unpublished within 25 years, while broadcast programmes receive 20 years of protection from the year following their first broadcast.”
He concluded by stating that “the law provides for civil remedies, including cessation orders, seizure and compensation, as well as criminal penalties of imprisonment, fines or both for violations of its provisions.”
* (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
