The Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee Supported the Amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Copyright and Related Rights”

The Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia supported the draft Law of Georgia on Amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Copyright and Related Rights”, prepared by the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”.

The above-mentioned amendments are aimed to strengthen effective struggle against internet piracy and protection of creative industries from the negative economic impact.

According to the draft Law, owners of copyright, owners of related rights and makers of databases are entitled to request from the intermediary service provider, based on a written notification, to delete immediately or restrict access to the copies infringing their rights. Respectively, before the owner of rights appeals to the court, access to alleged infringing copies will be restricted. As a result, this regulation will reduce the economic and moral damage that may be caused to owners of copyright and related rights or makers of databases.

It is noteworthy that the above-mentioned amendments are another step forward in the direction of introduction of modern standards and approaches provided for by EU legislation in Georgian legislation.

As proper protection of copyright and related rights plays a crucial role in stimulating and promoting the creative activities of authors and, in general, in the cultural and economic development of the state, it is a priority for Sakpatenti to create in the country a favourable  environment for development of creativity and innovation. It is also important to balance, on the one hand, the interests of the persons who create new works and, on the other one, the public interest, to ensure high access to these works for the public.

The enactment of the amendments will further strengthen the mechanisms for protecting intellectual property in Georgia and will facilitate both the strengthening of local creative industries and the establishment of an appropriate legal environment for international partnership.