What is the Copyright Act 98 of 1978?
The Copyright Act, No. 98 of 1978, is a South African law that regulates copyright and related matters. It establishes the legal framework for protecting original works, granting creators exclusive rights over their creations. These rights include the ability to control how their work is used, reproduced, and distributed. The Act applies to various works, including literary, musical, artistic, and dramatic works, as well as sound recordings, films, broadcasts, and computer programs.
The legal framework for copyright in South Africa is primarily governed by the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978) and its amendments. This Act outlines the rules for copyright protection, including what works are protected, the duration of protection, and the rights granted to copyright holders. South Africa is also a signatory to international agreements like the Berne Convention and the TRIPS Agreement, which influence its domestic copyright law
Generally, AI-generated content is not protected by copyright laws in most jurisdictions because copyright traditionally requires human authorship. However, if a human significantly contributes to the creation of the work, even with AI assistance, that human-authored portion may be eligible for copyright protection
Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB)
An Overview:
The Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) in South Africa is a proposed set of changes to the country's copyright law aimed at balancing creators' rights with public access to copyrighted works. It seeks to modernize copyright law, address concerns about fair use and accessibility, and ensure royalty payments are transparent and equitable. The bill has been a subject of debate, with the President referring it to the Constitutional Court for review
Please note that this AI LibGuide does not cover information that deals deeply with Copyright and Intellectual Property Law. Unisa Library has a LibGuide for Copyright and Intellectual Property Law.
South Africa has a Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework, released in August 2024, which serves as the first step towards developing a comprehensive AI strategy. The policy framework focuses on ethical guidelines, privacy, safety, transparency, and fairness, while also outlining strategic pillars for AI development in South Africa. The goal is to leverage AI for economic growth, social equity, and to position South Africa as a leader in AI innovation.