Singapore | Copyright Act, 2021

On November 21, 2021, the Singapore Copyright Act, 2021 came into force. The amendments were made to the existing Copyright Act to enhance protection of copyright in view of the various technological developments.

Key changes are as follows:

• The copyright for all type of works created under commission will be owned by the creator. This includes:

1. 1. portraits;
   2. photographs;
   3. engravings;
   4. sound recordings; and
   5. films.

• Owners of copyright in sound recordings are now able to collect new fees for public broadcasts of their sound recordings.

• Creators and performers have the right to be identified whenever their works or performances are used in public.

• The use of online resources for educational purposes has now been legislated for, in favour of students and schools.
• Prohibiting sales of devices and services used to access copyright infringing works. The sale of internet protocol television (IPTV) boxes (devices that can be used to illegally download and stream media content) is now forbidden.
• Computer analysis of copyrighted works (with the aim of extracting metadata) has now been legislated for, in favour of data miners.
• Copyright protection of unpublished works is now 70 years after the death of the author. This includes literary, dramatic, musical and artistic (LDMA) works.
• Certain exceptions to the Copyright Law can no longer be amended via a contract – for example, the computational data analysis provision listed above.
• The term “fair dealing” has now been replaced with the term “fair use”.
• The work of institutions such as galleries, libraries, archives and museums has been made easier via new exceptions.
• Expiration date for protection of unpublished works
• Facilitating work of galleries, libraries, archives and museums
• Adjusting existing provisions for users who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled
• Materials held by government or public agencies which are provided to the public can be copied and further made available without infringing copyright when used for public interest.

For more details, click HERE

*Tanvi Singh, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.