An Analysis of Copyright Protection and Enforcement in the Digital Era in Zambia

Abstract

Copyright protection and enforcement in Zambia is governed by the Copyright and Performance Rights Act Chapter 406 of the laws of Zambia, read together with its Amendment No. 25 of 2010. Copyright law protects the rights of the owner of literary, musical, dramatic and artistic works against those who copy or otherwise take and use the form in which the original work is expressed by the author. With the advancement in technology, the replication and sharing of copyrighted materials without proper authorisation has been made easy. As a result, copyright infringement has become a prevalent issue, challenging the effectiveness of traditional IPR enforcement frameworks which were not designed to address the rapid and widespread dissemination of digital content. It is with this view that the researcher undertakes to analyse copyright law in Zambia as well as the enforcement mechanisms currently in place in order to determine whether they are in line with modern trends in copyright, especially with the ever changing and widespread application of digital technology and the use of digital networks such as the internet which has brought about new challenges in the exercise, management and enforcement of copyright and related rights. This research will discuss the current legal framework of Copyright in Zambia, the effect of the digital age on the protection and enforcement of Copyright, analyse the current enforcement mechanisms for Copyright in Zambia and suggest practical steps for effective enforcement of Copyright and related rights in the digital age in Zambia.