• INFORMATION ON THE REGISTRATION OF TRADEMARKS / SERVICE MARKS IN CYPRUS
• INFORMATION ON PATENT REGISTRATION IN CYPRUS
• INFORMATION ON COPYRIGHT IN CYPRUS

Information on copyright in Cyprus

The latest amendments to the Cyprus Copyright Law entered into force in January 1994. These were the result of a considerable effort by mainly the Motion Picture Industry of the U.S. as well as interests in the Audio and Software Industry.

The main amendments are as follows:

1. Criminal Penalties for infringement were increased up to CYP 1500.00 fine and / or up to 2 years imprisonment and for second or subsequent offences up to CYP 2000.00 fine and / or up to 3 years imprisonment.
2. An "anti piracy security sticker" will be introduced and if sale or distribution takes place contrary to these provisions similar penalties will apply.
3. Specific protection is granted to computer programmes which are now classified as literary works.
4. The term of protection for sound recordings has been extended to 50 years
5. The hiring or advertising of infringing copies of a work constitutes a criminal offence.

Cyprus has ratified the following International Conventions:

1. Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
2. Universal Copyright Convention
3. Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms against Unauthorised Dublication of their Phonograms.

In view of the above, as well as the ratification by the USA of the Berne Convention in March 1989, there is currently protection is Cyprus for works first published in the USA or for works whose author resides or has its place of business in the USA.

Assuming a work is protected in Cyprus its author, or licensee may initiate civil or criminal action to protect its rights. In a civil action the court may issue an injunction to restrain the defendant from dealing with the work and has power to issue an interim injunction on an ex-parte application in an aciton as well as to issue an Anton Piller Order to secure evidence in relation to the infringement.

It is a criminal offence for a person to knowingly, inter alia make for sale or hire infringing copies of a work or to sell, let for hire, advertise or by way or trade expose for sale or hire any such copies.