Section 1
Purpose
The purpose of this Order is to amend Copyright Law No. 3 of 1971 to ensure that
Iraqi copyright law meets current internationally-recognized standards of protection,
and to incorporate the modern standards of the World Trade Organization into Iraqi
law.
Section 2
Amendments to Copyright Law
1) Article 1 of the Copyright Law No. 3 of 1971 (“the Law”) is amended to read as
follows:
“1. This law protects the authors of original literary, artistic and scientific works,
whatever their type, method of expression, importance and purpose.
2. The person in whose name the work is published, whether by mentioning his
name on the work or by any other means, shall be considered the author, unless
there is evidence to the contrary. This provision shall apply to pseudonyms,
provided there is not the least doubt as to the identify of the author.”
2) Article 2 is amended to read as follows: “The protection shall include the works
whose method of expression is in writing, sound, drawing, painting or
movement, and in particular the following:
1. Written works of all types
2. Computer programs, whether in source or object code, which shall be
protected as literary works
3. Works conveyed verbally such as lectures, lessons, speeches, sermons and the
like
4. Works entered under the arts of drawing and painting with lines and colors,
engraving, sculpture and architecture
5. Dramatic works and musical plays
6. Works performed by artistic movements or steps and are materially prepared
for production
7. Musical works, whether accompanied by words or not
8. Photographic and cinematographic works
9. Works prepared for radio and television
10. Charts, drawings and scientific three-dimensional figures
11. Public recitals of the Holy Koran
12. Sound recordings
13. Compilations of data”
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CPA/ORD/ 29 April 2004/83