Copyright Law - UAE
The first ever UAE Copyright Law and its Implementing Regulations came into force on 12 April 1993 and 1 September 1994, respectively. This Law was repealed on 14 July 2002 by publication in the Official Gazette of UAE Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 regarding Copyright and Related Rights (hereinafter referred to as the “Law”). As the UAE is a signatory to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) its provisions relating to intellectual property as stated in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), including reciprocity, are applicable to the UAE. Further information on the provisions of the WTO Agreement is available on request.

Copyright Law - Qatar
The State of Qatar (“Qatar”) is a signatory to various international treaties concerning Copyright protection. In 1986, Qatar became a signatory to The Arab Agreement on Copyright Protection. In July 2000 it signed the Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works. In 2005 Qatar became a signatory to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (“WIPO”) Copyright Treaty ( the “WCT”). Through Qatar’s membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Qatar has introduced minimum standards for Copyright protection as stated in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). In 2002, Qatar repealed the then existing Copyright Law (1995) with the enactment of Law No. 7 of 2002, The Law on the Protection of Copyright and Neighboring Rights (the “2002 Copyright Law”) The 2002 Copyright Law established the Office for the Protection of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights (herein after referred to as "The Office”) within the Department of Commercial Affairs in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.