New copyright regulations in effect next month

The Registry General’s Department is advising the public that on February 1st, several copyright regulations and orders in accordance with the Copyright and Designs Act will come into effect.

The public will recall that last December, the Minister of Home Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Michael Fahy, JP, announced in the Senate a raft of amendments to the Act aimed at modernising Bermuda’s intellectual property regime.

At the time of the Minister’s December announcement he said, “I am pleased to report that after almost five years, the Regulations and Orders are now ready to be made and it is my intention to bring them into force within the coming weeks. 

“My objective is to raise awareness so that persons that will be affected by the Copyright regulatory regime can prepare themselves accordingly.”

The following will come into effect on Feb. 1st, 2014:

• Copyright (Customs) Regulations 2014

• Copyright (Education Establishments)  Order 2014

• Copyright (Librarians and Archivists) (Copying of Copyright Material and

Lending of Copies) Regulations 2014

• Copyright and Rights in Performances (Notice of Seizure) Order 2014

• Copyright Tribunal Rules 2014

• Copyright (Subtitling of Television Broadcast and Cable Programmes)(Designated Body) Order 2014

• Copyright (Recording for Archives)(Designated Class and Bodies) Order 2014

• Copyright (Broadcasting Undertaking) Order 2014

• Copyright (International Orgnizations) Order 2014

The Registry General’s Department advised that anyone wishing copies of the Act can visit www.bermudalaws.bm; the Order will also be available for download on that website after it commences on 1st, February 2014.

Members of the public who need further information can email [email protected], or call 297-7662.