Background of the study
Copyright policies and laws in Libya were introduced by King Idris in March 16th 1968 at his palace. The copyright laws stipulate the works protected by copyright, rights of the authors, protection duration, rights transfer, scope of protection and the remedies and penalties. Copyrights are the rules that protect authors, artists, designers or innovators of original work from copying or commercial use. The concept of copyright has received enormous study recently due to the high importance dedicated to originality of research and the need cultivate innovativeness among writers, artists or business owners.
Research problem
The requirement is that the copyright rules ensure no piracy or commercial use of a person’s idea without his/her permission. In Libya laws on Copyright protection are not comprehensive as stated by Otman and Karlberg (2007, p. 86), this has led to the occurrence of copyright violation and piracy of trademarks. A motivating factor to study this research problem is the need to understand the issues facing copyright in Libya and channels to ensure one’s original idea is well protected and natured.
Purpose of the study
This study aims at studying copyright issues in Libya and provides recommendations to help solve the situation. Copyright issues in Libya have led to reduced innovation and lose of investors due to low profits.
Significance of the study
It is hoped that this research will be useful in the extension of knowledge on copyright issues in Libya. Policy makers, traders and foreign investors will also find the study useful in knowing areas to improve to ensure reduced copyright issues. The study will also benefit innovators to know the channels to follow to ensure their copyright materials are well protected.
Literature review
This chapter discusses the literature related to the understanding of the issues of copyright in Libya. Particular focus is given on the understanding of the issues of copyright in Libya that lead to piracy and copyright violation. Ibp USA (2007, p. 150) details the various copyright laws in Libya, the authors and works covered by copyright. Otman and Karlberg (2007, p. 86) believe that the copyright laws in Libya are not comprehensive enough to cover the artists, innovators and formulators of new ideas as well as authors. Atbach (1996, p. 606), details need to revise the rules and policies governing copyright in Libya and states the last time the revision was done as 1976. Zelezny (2010, p. 322) details the various characteristics that a piece of art, writing or an innovation must have to be copyrighted and protected for the owners to fully benefit.
Landes and Posner (2003, p. 65) investigate on the economic changes and customer behaviour that has happened hence necessitate the need for copyright as a show of quality. These past researches depict the situation and the need for correction as the laws made in 1968 and corrected in 1976 are incomprehensive leading to copyright issues (Otman and Karlberg, 2007, p. 86). However, these previous researches do not specifically enumerate the laws to be repealed, changed or corrected. They also do not give measures to be taken to correct copyright issues in Libya. This study will determine the areas of the laws to be revised through studying the issues affecting copyright in Libya. This study will offer recommendations for policy changes to improve copyright protection in Libya.
Methodology
Research Design
This study will be conducted through historical research design which will entail exploring, explaining and understanding past historical data on copyright issues in Libya. This data will enable the researcher grasp the real issues that affect copyright in Libya and make appropriate conclusions about causes, trends and effects of the past copyright practices. This will be fundamental in explaining the present and predicting and control of the future of copyright in Libya.
Data Collection
The main data collection techniques that will be used in the research include interviews, document analysis and questionnaire. Data collection technique selection has been guided by the nature of data to be collected, the time to be available for the project and the objective of the study. Interviews will mainly be used to collect the opinions, views and perceptions of authors, artists, business people and politicians affected by copyright rules in Libya. Document analysis will help in collecting data on cases of copyright infringement and related issues. Questionnaires shall be used to get proposed amendments by the authors, artists and business people to the laws and policies to streamline copyright issues in Libya.
Research Procedure
Issue of questionnaires and conducting of interviews shall be done by research assistants after seeking permission from concerned authorities. The researcher will conduct the interview of the Libyan Minister for Culture, the ministry that deals with copyright issues, and conduct document analysis to get the main facts on copyright issues in Libya.
Ethical Consideration
The study, as a way to gain further knowledge on copyright issues in Libya, will also ensure human dignity is upheld. It will be the researcher’s aim to ensure the respondents, interviewees and participants in this study shall have full knowledge of the study, its purpose and the extent of privacy through informed consent. The other factor that I will employ to ensure ethical study is ensuring correspondent privacy and confidentiality in the study.
Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes of the research are the salient issues that affect copyright in Libya as conclusively evidenced by the collected data.
Conclusion
In summary, the stated hypothesis is new and will be extremely beneficial in understanding copyright issues in Libya. The study will be beneficial in advancing knowledge on copyright issues in Libya through data collection, research and analysis. This will aid in solving copyright issues in Libya.
References
Altbach, P 1996, International Book Publishing: An Encyclopedia, Routledge, New York.
Ibp, USA 2007, Middle East and Arabic Countries Copyright Law Handbook, Int’l Business Publications, Michigan.
Karlberg, E & Otman, W 2007, The Libyan Economy: Economic Diversification and International Repositioning, Springer, New York.
Landes, W & Posner, R 2003, The Economic Structure of Intellectual Property Law, Harvard University, Press Cambridge.
Zelezny, J 2010, Communications Law: Liberties, Restraints, and the Modern Media, Cengage Learning, New York.