In the dim glow of the cinema, a warning flickered on the screen, urging patrons to refrain from capturing images and videos. Ignoring this cautionary note, a significant number of moviegoers persisted in the forbidden act, unaware of the legal ramifications awaiting them.
Within the confines of the UAE, the act of filming or photographing scenes within a movie theater without the explicit permission of the copyright holders has been deemed a criminal offense. Alexander Kukuev, managing partner at Uppercase Legal Advisory, emphasized the gravity of this violation, citing the intricate web of copyright laws established by the UAE Government in 2021 through Federal Law No. 38 of 2021.
According to Kukuev, Articles 39, 40, and 41 of the new legislation prescribe penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, coupled with the potential seizure and destruction of infringing copies. These penalties extend to activities such as reproducing, distributing, and communicating copyrighted works without the explicit consent of the copyright owner.
Quoting Article 30 of the law, Kukuev underscored that the offense of filming or photographing movie scenes without proper authorization is unequivocally considered a copyright violation. Offenders may find themselves facing fines reaching up to Dh100,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to two months.
The stringent copyright laws of the UAE are not isolated but are rooted in international agreements and treaties, including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, of which the UAE has been a member since 2004.
Adding another layer of regulation, UAE cinemas are mandated to strictly enforce age ratings, requiring meticulous inspection of customers’ proof of age and identification documents. While there is no legal liability for underage individuals or their parents, the consequence is a straightforward denial of the opportunity to watch a film in the cinema.
In this cinematic landscape, capturing moments on film comes with a hefty price tag, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to upholding copyright integrity within the realm of entertainment.
