Republic of Türkiye

[TR] Changes in the law on copyright

IRIS 1996-2:1/18

Andrea Schneider

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

The Turkish Law No. 5846 on intellectual and artistic works of 5 December 1951 was last amended on 7 June 1995 by Law No. 4110.

The Law defines "works" as all intellectual and artistic productions which carry their authors' personal characteristics. It distinguishes between scientific, literary, musical, artistic and film works. It extends the protection provided for scientific works to all types of computer programme. It provides for the founding of professional organisations, taking the form of private law corporations, to protect the interests of authors and owners of neighbouring rights, enforce their rights, and collect and distribute fees.

Rights are now protected during the author's lifetime and for 70 years after his death. The Law gives artists resale rights, i.e. the right in certain cases to royalties on the resale of originals. Section 6 of the Law regulates protection of the neighbouring rights of performing artists, audio producers and broadcasting bodies. (Andrea Schneider, Institut für Europäisches Medienrecht - EMR)