RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE IP/Q/ZAF/1
4October 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3971)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights
REVIEW OFLEGISLATION ONCOPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS
South Africa1
Thepresent document reproduces theintroductory statement made bythedelegation of
South Africa inthereview oflegislation oncopyright andrelated rights attheCouncil 'smeeting of
22to25July19962,thequestions puttoitandtheresponses given.
_______________
I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
Thelawofcopyright inSouth Africa isgoverned bytheCopyright Act,98of1978, as
amended ("the Copyright Act"). Administrative matters related totheoperation oftheActare
contained intheCopyright regulations of1978.
South Africa hasacceded totheBrussels textoftheBerne Convention on1August 1951
insofar assubstantive lawisconcerned andtotheParis textofthatConvention on24March 1975
insofar asadministrative provisions areconcerned. TheCopyright Act1978 isgenerally inlinewith
thesubstantive provisions ofthe1971 textoftheBerne Convention.
TheCopyright Actwaslastamended in1992. There isatpresent further amending
legislation before Parliament, namely theGeneral Intellectual Property LawAmendment Bill,1996.
TheBillisexpected tocome intoforce before theendof1996andisintended toamend theCopyright
Actsoastobring theActcompletely inlinewiththeTRIPS Agreement.
TheCopyright Actprovides thatthefollowing works, iftheyareoriginal, shallbeeligible
forcopyrights:
- Literary Works
- Musical Works
- Artistic Works
- Cinematograph Films
- Sound Recordings
- Broadcasts
- Programme-Carrying Signals
1South Africa 'snotification oflawsandregulations intheareaofcopyright andrelated rights under Article
63.2 oftheAgreement hasbeen circulated indocuments IP/N/1/ZAF/1 andIP/N/1/ZAF/C/1 and2.
2Theminutes ofthemeeting have been circulated indocument IP/C/M/8.IP/Q/ZAF/1
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- Published Editions
- Computer Programs
Inaccordance withtheBerne Convention, South Africa grants national treatment tothe
countries listed inSchedule 1toGeneral Notice No.136of1989. Thelisthasrecently beenupdated
inGovernment Gazette No.1290 of15December 1995, andwillberevised from timetotimeto
ensure thatallnewWTO Members whoarenotalready listed byvirtue oftheirmembership ofthe
Berne Convention areincluded.
Letmenowgiveabriefoverview oftheprovisions oftheSouth African Copyright Act:
Thetermofcopyright protection isgenerally 50years calculated withreference tothelifeof
theauthor, orincertain cases, calculated withreference totheyearinwhich thework wasmade
available tothepublic withtheconsent oftheowner ofthecopyright ortheyearinwhich thework
wasmade.
Sections 6to11BoftheCopyright Actprovide fortheexclusive rights thatvestincopyright
owners, while sections 12to19BoftheActprovide forvarious exceptions from theprotection of
copyright works.
TheActprotects themoral rights ofauthors insection 20,andtheownership ofcopyright
andtheassignment andlicensing ofcopyright aredealtwithinsections 21and22oftheAct.
Insofar asinfringement ofcopyright isconcerned, theActmakes provision foractsofdirect
infringement (thatis,theunauthorised exercise ofanyoftheexclusive rights granted tocopyright
owners) andindirect infringement (that is,actswhich contribute towards orfacilitate direct
infringement).
Certain actsofinfringement arealsocriminal offenses byvirtue ofsection 27oftheAct.
Therights ofperformers arenotdealtwithintheCopyright Act.ThePerformers 'Protection
Act,11of1967 provides protection forperformances inSouth Africa andelsewhere, subject tothe
principle ofreciprocity.
Finally, theRegistration ofCopyright inCinematograph FilsActof1977 provides forthe
registration ofcopyright incinematograph films onavoluntary basis. Again, regulations provide for
administrative andprocedural aspects related totheregistration offilms.
Alllawsandregulations mentioned havebeennotified totheWTO (documents IP/N/1/ZAF/1
andIP/N/1/ZAF/C/1 and2).
II. REPLIES TOQUESTIONS POSED BYTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND
THEIR MEMBER STATES
1. Areallsignatory countries ’works afforded protection onanational treatment basis (Article 3
oftheTRIPS Agreement)? More particularly:
1.1 Have allsignatory countries been listed inSchedule 1toGeneral Notice
No.126/1999?IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page3
1.2 Isnational treatment afforded toallMembers inrespect ofsound recordings?3
Theworks eligible forprotection under theCopyright Act1978 areliterary works, musical
works, artistic works, cinematograph films, sound recordings (phonograms), broadcasts, programme-
carrying signals, published editions andcomputer programs.
Interms ofSections 3(1)and4(1)oftheCopyright Act,works firstpublished inSouth Africa
orworks made available byqualified persons (being persons whoarecitizens of,oraredomiciled
orresident inSouth Africa, inthecaseofindividuals, orbodies corporate organised andexisting
under thelawsofSouth Africa, inthecaseofjuristic persons) enjoy copyright.
Interms ofSection 37oftheAct,therelevant Minister hasmade regulations interms of
which theActapplies alsotoworks originating from scheduled countries (being countries listed in
Schedule 1totheregulations, which arecontained inGeneral Notice No.136of1989). More
particularly, theMinister hasprovided thefollowing:
- inrelation toliterary, musical orartistic works, cinematograph films, sound
recordings, published editions andcomputer programs firstpublished inscheduled
countries, theactwillapply inthesame wayasitapplies tothose types ofworks first
published inSouth Africa;
- theActwillapply topersons whoarecitizens oforaredomiciled orresident ina
scheduled country inthesame wayasitapplies topersons whoarecitizens ofor
domiciled orresident inSouth Africa;
- theActwillapply alsotobodies incorporated under thelawsofascheduled country
asitapplies inrelation tobodies incorporated under thelawsofSouth Africa.
Thelistofscheduled countries waslastrevised inGovernment Notice 1290 inthe
Government Gazette 16867 of15December 1995. Thelistisreproduced intheAnnex.
Thelisthasagain recently beenrevised andisnowawaiting publication intheGovernment
Gazette. Thelistwillberevised fromtimetotimetoensure thatallnewWTO Members whomay
notbelisted areincluded.
Subject towhatfollows, thiseffectively means thatworks emanating fromscheduled countries
areprotected inexactly thesame wayunder theCopyright Actasareworks emanating from South
Africa. Exceptions apply inthecaseofbroadcasts, sound recordings andpublished editions.
Theprotection granted interms oftheregulations toforeign sound recordings andpublished
editions issubject tothequalification thatworks ofthisnature originating fromaforeign country will
onlyenjoy protection inSouth Africa totheextent thatprotection inthenature of,orrelated to,
copyright isgranted inthatcountry tosuchworks firstpublished inSouth Africa ormade byaSouth
African qualified person, andsuchworks donotenjoy anywider protection inSouth Africa thanis
enjoyed bySouth African works intheircountry oforigin. Byconsequence therighttoenforce a
particular restricted actonlyexists totheextent thatthelawofthecountry oforigin provides forthat
restricted actinitsownlaw.
Inorder toqualify forprotection under thePerformers 'Protection Act,aperformance must
3Thefollowing reply alsocovers ECquestion 8andUSquestion 1.IP/Q/ZAF/1
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takeplace, bebroadcast live,orbefirstrecorded inSouth Africa oracountry which isaparty tothe
Rome Convention andwhich grants reciprocal rights toperformers inrespect oftheirperformances
inSouth Africa (Section 4oftheAct). Steps havebeenundertaken toextend thescope ofSection 4
oftheActtoinclude allWTO Members notparties totheRome Convention.
Regarding thequestion (bytheUS)regarding national treatment with respect tothe
distribution oflevies forprivate copying, thefollowing: Section 12(1) oftheCopyright Actreadwith
Sections 15(4), 16,17,18,19Aand19Bexempts from infringement any"fairdealing" withawork
forpurposes ofprivate study, personal private use,criticism orreview ofawork orreporting current
events. Thisissubject totheproviso thatnodealing forpurposes ofresearch orprivate study or
usewith acinematograph film, sound recording orcomputer program isexempted. Further
exemptions from infringement inthecaseofprivate copying arecontained inChapter 1ofthe
Copyright Regulations 1978, readtogether withSection 13oftheCopyright Act. Where private
copying doesnotfallwithin anyoftheaforementioned exemptions andisunauthorized, infringement
ofcopyright occurs. Alicence istherefore required forprivate copying inthese instances. There
isnoorganized licensing scheme forprivate copying inplace norarethere anycollecting agencies
operating inthisfieldinSouth Africa. Accordingly nolevies (other thannegotiated licence fees)are
collected ordistributed forprivate copying inSouth Africa atthepresent time. Thequestion of
national treatment inrespect ofsuchlevies doestherefore notarise.
2. Arecomputer programs protected “asliterary works ”(Article 10oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
Ifnot,howaretheyprotected andisthescope ofprotection thesame?4
Computer programs, which prior totheamendment oftheCopyright Actin1992 were a
species ofliterary work, currently enjoy protection under theCopyright Act1978, inthesame way
asliterary works butconstitute aseparate category ofworks. Interms ofSection 43(a)(ii) ofthe
Copyright Act,thisprinciple does notapply however toanycomputer programs made prior to
September 1965.
Theterm"computer program" isdefined tomean: "asetofinstructions fixed orstored in
anymanner andwhich, when useddirectly orindirectly inacomputer, direct itsoperation tobring
about aresult". A"computer program" isbydefinition excluded from being a"literary work".
Thismeans thatonceawork fallswithin thedefinition of"computer program" itceases tobe(insofar
asitmayhavebeen) aliterary work.
Atpresent thefollowing actsarecomprised inthecopyright inacomputer program:
(a) reproducing thecomputer program inanymanner orform;
(b) publishing thecomputer program ifitwashitherto unpublished;
(c) making anadaptation ofthecomputer program;
(d) reproducing orpublishing anadaptation oftheprogram;
(e) letting oroffering orexposing forhirebywayoftrade, directly orindirectly, acopy
ofthecomputer program.
4Thefollowing reply alsocovers USquestion 5.IP/Q/ZAF/1
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ABilltoamend theCopyright Actpresently pending before thelegislature willaddthe
following restricted actstotheabove-mentioned list:
(a) broadcasting thecomputer program;
(b) causing thecomputer program tobetransmitted inadiffusion service, unless such
service transmits alawful broadcast including thecomputer program, andisoperated
bytheoriginal broadcaster;
(c) doing, inrelation toanadaptation ofacomputer program, anyoftheother restricted
acts.
Once theaforegoing amendment ismade totheCopyright Act,theprotection enjoyed by
computer programs willbebroader thanthatenjoyed byaliterary work andwillincorporate allthe
restricted actsapplicable toaliterary work.
3. Towhat extent arecomputer databases protected ascompilations (Article 10oftheTRIPS
Agreement)?
Literary works arecapable ofprotection under theCopyright Act. Thedefinition ofa
"literary work" includes "tables andcompilations". Provided theymeetalltherequirements forthe
subsistence ofcopyright, databases arecapable ofprotection asliterary works byvirtue oftheirbeing
compilations.
Oneoftherequirements forthesubsistence ofcopyright inaliterary work isthatthework
iswritten down, recorded orotherwise reduced tomaterial form(Section 2(2)oftheCopyright Act).
Adatabase stored inacomputer would satisfy thisrequirement andistherefore protected.
4. Doallworks forwhich theterms arenotcalculated withreference tothelifeofanatural
person enjoy protection forthetermrequired byArticle 12oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Yes. Sections 3(2)(b) -(f)oftheCopyright Actprovide for50years ofprotection fromthe
endoftheyearinwhich:
- cinematograph films, photographs andcomputer programs aremade available tothe
public withtheconsent oftheowner ofthecopyright or,failing suchanevent within
50years from themaking ofthework, 50years from theendoftheyearinwhich
theworks aremade;
- sound recordings arefirstpublished;
- broadcasts firsttakeplace;
- programme-carrying signals arefirstemitted toasatellite;
- published editions arefirstpublished
5. Does reproducing abroadcast ascontemplated inSection 10(a) oftheCopyright Act,1978,
cover allforms ofmaking fixations ofabroadcast (Article 14(3) oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
Yes. Section 10(a) oftheCopyright Actgrants totheowner ofthecopyright inabroadcast
theexclusive right toreproduce, directly orindirectly, thebroadcast inanymanner orform,IP/Q/ZAF/1
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including, inthecaseofatelevision broadcast, making astillphotograph fromthebroadcast. This
includes themaking ofacinematograph film, asound recording orother material fixation ofa
broadcast.
6. Isatelevision broadcast protected against thecommunication tothepublic ofafixation
thereof (Article 14(3) oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
TheCopyright Actdoesnotprovide forarightof"communication tothepublic" inrespect
ofthefixations oftelevision broadcasts. TheActgrants theright ofreproduction asreferred to
above, rebroadcasting andtransmission inadiffusion service inrespect ofbroadcasts.
7. Areperformances ofperformers protected forthetermrequired inArticle 14(5) oftheTRIPS
Agreement?5
The20yeartermofprotection provided forinSection 7ofthePerformers 'Protection Act
doesnotcomply withTRIPS Article 14.5. However aBillamending theActinthisrespect is
currently pending before thelegislature. Theamended Section 7willreadasfollows:
"The prohibition against theuseofaperformance asprovided forinSection 5shall
commence upon thedaywhen theperformance firsttookplace or,ifincorporated ina
phonogram, when itwasfirstfixed onsuchphonogram, andshallcontinue foraperiod of
50years calculated from theendofthecalendar yearinwhich theperformance tookplace
orwasincorporated inthephonogram, asthecasemaybe."
8. Areperformances made inallWTO Members orbyperformers whoarenationals ofallWTO
Members protected (Article 3oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
Seereply toquestion 1.
9. Does theCopyright Act,1978, comply withArticles 1to21oftheParis textoftheBerne
Convention asrequired byArticle 9(1)oftheTRIPS Agreement? More particularly:
9.1 Does Section 12(7) read together withSection 18comply withtheprovisions of
Article 10bis(1) Berne Convention?
Yes,saveforthereference inArticle 10bis(1)Berne to"thecommunication tothepublic by
wire". Section 12(7) allows forthereproduction inthepress andthebroadcasting oftheworks
referred to.
9.2 Has anyprovision been made fortheapplication ofArticle 10bis(2) Berne
Convention?
Yes. Sections 12(1) and15(4) oftheCopyright Actprovide thatcopyright inliterary and
artistic works shallnotbeinfringed byanyfairdealing withsuchworks forthepurposes ofreporting
current events inanewspaper, magazine orsimilar periodical, orbymeans ofbroadcasting orin
cinematograph film. Inthecaseofreporting current events inanewspaper, magazine orsimilar
periodical, theActprovides thatthesource shallbementioned, aswellasthename oftheauthor if
itappears onthework concerned.
5Thefollowing reply alsocovers USquestion 9.IP/Q/ZAF/1
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9.3 Isprovision made forthe“droit desuite”referred toinArticle 14ter Berne
Convention?
TheCopyright Actmakes noprovision forthe"droit desuite" referred toinArticle 14terof
theBerne Convention.
III. REPLY TOQUESTION POSED BYSWITZERLAND
1. Article 28deals withtherestriction ofimportation ofcopies. Article 55oftheTRIPS
Agreement provides forprecise timelimits forsuspension (10working daysrenewable foranother 10
working daysbutnomore). Theperiod ofrestriction ofimportation inArticle 28oftheCopyright
Actistobespecified inthenotice totheCommissioner forCustoms andExcise. Nofigure isgiven.
Canoneconstrue thatthetimelimits asrequired byTRIPS Article 55willapply eventhough the
Copyright Actdoesnotexpressly mention them?
Thewhole question ofSection 4oftheTRIPS Agreement isdealt withintheCounterfeit
Goods Billwhich ispending before thelegislature andwhich isexpected topassintolawbefore the
endofthisyear. Thetimeperiods required byArticle 55TRIPS areprescribed intheCounterfeit
Goods BillandSection 28oftheCopyright Actmust infuture bereadtogether withtherelevant
provisions oftheCounterfeit Goods Act,onceithasbecome law. TheCounterfeit Goods Billdeals
inter aliawiththerestriction oftheimportation ofarticles which infringe copyright orregistered
trademarks.
Accordingly, theperiod specified inthenotice totheCommissioner forCustoms andExcise
would bethatoftheTRIPS Agreement.
IV. REPLIES TOQUESTIONS POSED BYTHE UNITED STATES
1. Please explain whether andhowSouth African lawprovides protection forworks, phonograms
andperformances fromother WTO Members, andwhether andhowitdoessoonthebasis ofnational
treatment, asrequired byTRIPS Article 3(generally, withrespect toallcopyrights andneighbouring
rights) andArticle 9.1(incorporating Berne Article 5(1)). Inparticular, please explain hownational
treatment isafforded withrespect tothedistribution oflevies forprivate copying under therelevant
provisions ofSouth African law.
Seereply toECquestion 1.
[Follow-up questions]
(a) Intheanswer tothisquestion, South Africa indicates thatforeign sound recordings are
protected under South African lawonlytotheextent thatthelawoftheircountry oforigin protects
South African sound recordings. Please explain howthiscondition ofreciprocity isconsistent with
TRIPS Article 3,which requires national treatment forallWTO Members withrespect totherights
provided forphonograms under theTRIPS Agreement .
Theposition regarding sound recordings isnotconsistent withTRIPS Article 3andwillbe
rectified. Suchrectification canbeachieved bywayofanamendment totheexisting regulations and
canbeaccomplished before theendoftheyear.
(b) What istheexpected timetable forextending thescope ofSection 4ofthePerformers '
Protection Acttoinclude allWTO Members? Willtheextension provide protection toallperformances
ofperformers whoarenationals ofWTO Members?IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page8
Theextension ofthescope ofSection 4ofthePerformers 'Protection Acttoinclude allWTO
Members must bebrought about byanamendment totheActitself. Itisenvisaged thatsuchan
amendment willtakeplace in1997 andwillhaveretroactive effect.
2. Does South Africa apply the“ruleoftheshorter term”tophonograms andperformances from
other WTO Members? Ifso,please explain howyoujustify suchaction under TRIPS Article 4.
Thetermofprotection inthecaseofasound recording orphonogram is50years from the
dateonwhich thesound recording isfirstpublished (Section 3(2)(c) oftheCopyright Act). This
termapplies irrespective ofthecountry oforigin ofthesound recording. Bythesame token theterm
ofprotection granted toperformers inrespect oftheirperformances under thePerformers 'Protection
Actis20years calculated fromtheendofthecalender yearinwhich theperformance tookplace or,
iftheperformance wasincorporated inasound recording, theyearinwhich itwassoincorporated
(Section 7ofthePerformers 'Protection Act). Here toothetermisthesame forforeign andSouth
African performances. Accordingly, South Africa doesnotapply the"rule oftheshorter term" to
phonograms andperformances from other WTO Members.
(Seeinthisregard alsoouranswer toUnited States question 9andEuropean Communities
question 7).
3. Please explain whether andhowSouth Africa protects against boththedirect andindirect
reproduction ofphonograms asrequired byTRIPS Article 14.2, including bydigital transmission in
thecontext ofinteractive services.
Interms ofSection 9(a)oftheCopyright Acttheexclusive right ofmaking, directly or
indirectly, arecord embodying thesound recording isconferred inrespect ofasound recording.
Theterm"record" isdefined inSection 1oftheActtomean "anydisc,tape,perforated rollorother
device inoronwhich sounds areembodied soastobecapable ofbeing automatically reproduced
therefrom orperformed".
ABilltoamend theCopyright Actiscurrently pending andinterms ofthisBillthedefinition
of"record" willbeamended toreadasfollows: "Any disc,tape, perforated rollorother device in
oronwhich sounds, ordataorsignals representing sounds, areembodied orrepresented soastobe
capable ofbeing automatically reproduced orperformed therefrom".
Itissubmitted thatthese provisions areincompliance withArticle 14.2ofTRIPS.
[Follow-up question]
Does thereproduction right forsound recordings contained inSection 9(a)oftheSouth
African Copyright Actcover reproductions made bydigital transmission inthecontext ofinteractive
services?
There issome doubt whether interms oftheexisting definition of"record" reproductions
made bydigital transmission inthecontext ofinteractive services arecovered. However, oncethe
definition of"record" hasbeenamended asenvisaged intheIntellectual Property LawAmendment
Billtheanswer isintheaffirmative. Areproduction made bydigital transmission asspecified will
beadiscorother device onwhich dataorsignals representing sounds areembodied etc.
4. Please explain whether andhowSouth Africa provides fullretroactive protection toworks,
phonograms andperformances from other WTO Members, asrequired byBerne Article 18,as
incorporated through Article 9.1ofTRIPS, andTRIPS Article 14.6, andgivethedatebacktowhichIP/Q/ZAF/1
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protection extends astoeachofthese categories ofsubject matter. Please explain inparticular the
effect through theoperation ofSection 43(a)(ii) oftheCopyright Actinthisregard.
Section 43(a) oftheCopyright Actmakes thatActapplicable toallworks (including foreign
works) whether theywere made prior to1979 orthereafter. Thisgeneral principle issubject to
certain conditions ofwhich onlyoneisrelevant tothepresent enquiry, namely thatsetforth in
paragraph (a)(ii).
Paragraph (a)(ii) qualifies theretroactivity oftheActbystating thattheprovisions oftheAct
cannot create copyright inanytype ofwork inwhich copyright could notsubsist prior to
11September 1965 (thedateonwhich theCopyright Act1965, thepredecessor ofthecurrent Act,
came intooperation). Prior to11September 1965published editions werenoteligible forcopyright.
Theprovision doesnorpreclude aparticular work fromenjoying copyright retroactively eventhough
itmight nothavehistorically enjoyed suchprotection prior toSeptember 1965.
Inessence, onceaforeign country hasbeenproclaimed asacountry towhich South African
copyright extends, allworks eligible forcopyright emanating fromthatcountry willenjoy protection
nomatter when theywere made inexactly thesame wayasSouth African works.
Acopyofarecent judgement oftheAppellate Division oftheSouth African Supreme Court
inAppleton &Another vHarnischfeger Corporation &Another 1995(2)SA247(A)dealing with
theretroactivity oftheCopyright Act1978, inregard toUnited States works isannexed hereto.6
Theretroactivity ofSouth African copyright lawisaverycomplex issue andamore detailed
exposition ofitcanbefound inPart3ofDean "Handbook ofSouth African Copyright Law" and
inthatauthor 'sdoctoral thesis entitled "The Application oftheCopyright Act,1978, toWorks
made prior to1979" .Thecourt intheHarnischfeger caseincidently recognised these as
authoritative sources initsinterpretation ofSection 43(a).
Section 14ofthePerformers 'Protection Actspecifically provides thattheActshallnotapply
toperformances which tookplace before itscommencement, i.e.30December 1967. Performances
prior tothatdatethusdonotenjoy theprotection ofthestatutory performers right. Thisapplies
equally toworks ofSouth African andforeign origin.
[Follow-up questions]
(a) Arethere anytypes ofworks other thanpublished editions which would beprotected by
copyright under thecurrent South African Copyright Actbutwhich maybeexcluded fromprotection
bytheoperation ofSection 43(a)(ii)? Ifso,please specify allsuchtypes ofworks.
Such works could be"works ofatechnical nature", "published editions" and"computer
programs" (seeDean "Handbook ofSouth African Copyright Law" at3-44to3-51).
(b) Does South Africa intend toamend thePerformers 'Protection Acttoapply itretroactively to
performances which tookplace before itscommencement, asrequired byBerne Article 18as
incorporated through TRIPS Article 14.6? Ifso,whatistheexpected timetable?
TheBilltoamend thePerformers 'Protection Actcurrently pending before thelegislature will
amend Section 14oftheActsoastomake sub-section (2)provide thattheActwillapply to
6Thecopy ofthejudgement isavailable intheWTO Secretariat forconsultation byinterested delegations.IP/Q/ZAF/1
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performances which tookplace before thecommencement oftheActinthesame wayasitapplies
toperformances which tookplace afterthecommencement oftheAct. ThisBillisexpected topass
intolawbefore theendoftheyear.
(c) Theanswer tothisquestion seems toindicate thatSouth African copyright lawgrants full
retroactive protection toexisting works, subject onlytothequalification inSection 43(a)(ii). Please
explain thenwhytheanswer alsostates that"theretroactivity ofSouth African lawisaverycomplex
issue".
Thecomplexity oftheretroactive provisions oftheSouth African Copyright Actbrought
about bySection 43isduetoseveral factors. Interpreting Section 43(a)(ii) could require having
recourse tocopyright legislation dating from 1916 andevenearlier andthissame legislation hasa
bearing ontheinterpretation ofSection 43(a)(ii) oftheActinterms ofwhich thecontinuation ofold
copyright isregulated. Thecomplexity isamply illustrated bythejudgement inAppleton v
Harnischfeger (referred tointheanswer). Inshort, indealing withthecopyright inworks made
priorto1965onemusthaveregard totheprovisions ofrepealed copyright lawsandtotheinteraction
oflawswiththeprovisions oftheCopyright Actof1978. Thispoint willalsobedealtwithfurther
indealing withthefollow-up questions toquestion 5.
5. Please explain howtheexclusion ofcomputer programs from thedefinition ofa“literary
work”under South African lawcomplies withTRIPS Article 10.1, andinwhat ways thescope of
copyright protection differs forsuchworks.
Seereply toECquestion 2.
[Follow-up questions]
(a) Please explain theapplication ofSection 43(a)(ii) oftheSouth African Copyright Actto
computer programs, andinparticular whether existing computer programs fromWTO Members are
protected, andgoing backtowhatdate.
Nomatter when computer programs were made theyenjoy protection under South African
copyright law. Computer programs made prior to1965 areprotected asliterary works (i.e. asa
species ofliterary work). Computer programs made subsequent toSeptember 1965 andprior to
1January 1979 enjoy protection asaspecies ofliterary work andasa"computer program" (i.e.the
suigeneris category ofwork). Acomputer program made after1January 1979onlyenjoys copyright
protection acomputer program andnotasliterary work. Theaforegoing applies equally tocomputer
programs ofSouth African origin andtocomputer programs offoreign origin.
(b) Please explain whyacomputer program is"bydefinition excluded frombeing aliterary work"
under South African law.
Theexclusion ofa"computer program" from thedefinition of"literary work" wasbrought
about in1992when thesuigeneris category ofcopyrightable work, namely "computer program" was
created. Asexplained above, theeffect ofthiswastobring about asituation thatallcomputer
programs made subsequent to1January 1979wereprotected as"computer programs". Theobjective
wastomake "computer programs" and"literary works" mutually exclusive categories ofworks.
Theterm"computer program" isdefined inSection 1oftheCopyright Acttomean "aset
ofinstructions fixed orstored inanymanner andwhich, when used directly orindirectly ina
computer, directs itsoperation tobring about aresult". Thepreparatory workings made inthecourse
ofcreating acomputer program arenotexcluded from thedefinition of"literary work", andthusIP/Q/ZAF/1
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qualify asliterary works. Only oncethework iscapable ofdescription asasetofinstructions fixed
orstored inanymanner andwhich when useddirectly orindirectly inacomputer directs itsoperation
tobring about aresult hasa"computer program" come intobeing andisthework thusexcluded from
being aliterary work.
Factors which influenced thecreation ofthesuigeneris category ofcopyrightable work
"computer program" were thedifficulty ofproving authorship ofacomputer program asaliterary
work forpurposes oflitigation, thenature ofsome oftheinfringing acts, thenecessity tomake
provision forthemaking ofback-up copies andthepracticalities ofinstituting copyright infringement
litigation together withtheburden ofproof under South African litigation procedure.
(c) Please explain inwhatsense theprotection forcomputer programs willbebroader thanthat
forliterary works under theproposed amendment totheSouth African Copyright Act.
Therestricted actsinrespect ofacomputer program provided forinSection 11B(e) ofthe
Copyright Act, namely "letting, oroffering orexposing forhirebywayoftrade, directly or
indirectly, acopyofacomputer program" doesnotapply toliterary works. These restricted actsare
ofgreat importance inregard tothecommercial exploitation ofcomputer programs anditwas
considered desirable thatcomputer programs should enjoy thisform ofprotection which wasnot
available tothem while theywere treated asaspecies ofliterary work.
(d) Please explain what istheexpected timetable fortheamendment. Isitincluded inthe
amendment related toTRIPS compliance which isexpected tobeenacted bytheendoftheyear?
Theamendment totherestricted actsrelating tocomputer programs isincluded intheBill
regarding TRIPS compliance which isexpected tobeenacted before theendofthisyear.
6. Please explain whether andhowadaptations ofworks areprotected asoriginal works as
required byBerne Article 2(3), asincorporated byTRIPS Article 9.1.
Thebasic requirement forthesubsistence ofcopyright inawork isthatitmust beoriginal
(Section 2(1)oftheCopyright Act). "Originality" doesnotmean thatthework mustbeinanyway
unique orinventive butmerely thatitshould betheproduct oftheauthor 'sownlabours and
endeavours. Awork canbeoriginal notwithstanding thatithasbeencopied from aprevious work
provided sufficient skillandeffort have been embodied increating thesubsequent work. An
adaptation, such asatranslation, isthusclearly capable ofbeing "original". Inthisregard
Section 2(3)oftheCopyright Actisrelevant. TheSection reads asfollows:
"Awork shallnotbeineligible forcopyright byreason onlythatthemaking ofthework, or
thedoing ofanyactsinrelation tothework, involved infringement ofcopyright insome
other work".
7. Please explain howthegeneral exceptions toadaptations andtranslations ofSections 12(9)
and12(11) oftheCopyright Actcomply withBerne Article 9(2)andTRIPS Article 13,which require
limitations andexceptions toexclusive rights tobelimited tocertain special cases which donot
conflict withanormal exploitation ofthework anddonotunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate
interests oftherightholder.
Sections 12(1) -(7)oftheCopyright Actareexceptions tocopyright infringement derived
fromArticles 2bis(2),9(2),10(1), 10(2), 10bis(1)and13(1) oftheBerne Convention. They describe
situations which areintheview ofthelegislature such thattheydonotconflict withanormal
exploitation ofthework anddonotunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate interests oftheauthor. InIP/Q/ZAF/1
Page12
Section 12(1) there istheadded qualification thatthework mustbea"fairdealing". Thisprovision
enables thecourt toexercise afurther discretion toensure thattheconduct inquestion doesnot
conflict withthenormal exploitation ofthework orunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate interests
oftheauthor.
Section 12(9) merely clarifies thattheaforegoing exceptions apply toanadaptation ofawork
inthesame wayastheyapply tothework itself. Section 12(11) gives effect tothesame principle.
Itissubmitted thatSections 12(9) and12(11) arenotatvariance withthecitedprovisions of
Berne andTRIPS.
8. Please explain theprovisions oftheThird Schedule totheDesigns Actasreferred toby
Section 43oftheCopyright Act,andhowthelimitations toexclusive rights inthisSection comply with
Berne Article 9(2)andTRIPS Article 13,which require limitations andexceptions toexclusive rights
tobelimited tocertain special cases which donotconflict withanormal exploitation oftheworkand
donotunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate interests oftherightholder.
Theoriginal titleoftheso-called "Designs Act1916" wasthe"Patents, Designs, Trade Marks
andCopyright Act1916". Thiswasacompendious statute dealing withallthespecies ofintellectual
property law. Inthe1960s separate statutes dealing witheachofthespecies werepassed. Aseach
oftheseparate statutes wasadopted thesubject matter ofthatstatute wasdeleted fromthetitleofthe
1916 Act. Bythetimeitwasfinally repealed itdealt onlywithdesigns andwasthusatthattime
referred toasthe"Designs Act".
TheThird Schedule tothe1916Actwasareproduction oftheBritish Copyright Actof1911,
theso-called "Imperial Copyright Act". Insofar asitrelated tocopyright, the1916Actprovided that
theBritish Actof1911 (embodied intheThird Schedule) would apply inSouth Africa, subject to
some minor variations.
Prior to1965cinematograph films wereprotected asdramatic works (bytheBritish Copyright
Actof1911). From 11September 1965cinematograph films wereprotected asasuigeneris species
ofwork butthisprotection quaspecies wasnotretrospective under thatAct. Consequently, when
theCopyright Act1978came intooperation therewereinexistence pre-1965 films treated asdramatic
works andpost-1965 films treated ascinematograph films. In1978, thelegislature decided that,
contrary tothegeneral principle ofnotcreating copyright intypes ofworks which werenoteligible
tocopyright prior to1965 (Section 43(a)(ii), pre-1965 films (protected asdramatic works) would
retrospectively beprotected ascinematograph films. Newcopyrights were inthiswaycreated in
subject matter which already enjoyed copyright asdramatic works. Inother words from1979 these
films enjoy parallel copyrights intwodifferent categories. Asthisstateofaffairs could giveriseto
practical difficulties thequalifications inSection 43(c) were introduced soastogiveprecedence to
thecinematograph filmcopyright overthedramatic work copyright. Ingeneral thetwoparallel
copyrights areinpractice owned bythesame person.
Itissubmitted thatthere arenolimitations toexclusive rights inSection 43which conflict
withthenormal exploitation ofthework andunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate interests ofthe
rightholder.
9. Please explain how the20year term ofprotection provided toperformers intheir
performances complies withTRIPS Article 14.5, which requires theprovision ofatermofprotection
ofnotlessthan50years.
Seereply toECquestion 7.IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page13
10. Please explain themeaning andeffect ofthephrase “arecord ofsuchasound-track orina
record derived directly orindirectly fromsuchasound-track ”asitappears inSection 16(2) ofthe
Copyright Act.
Thedefinition of"cinematograph film" inSection 1oftheCopyright Actstates thata
cinematograph film"includes thesounds embodied inasound-track associated withthefilm".
"Sound-track" inthiscontext means thatpartofacinematograph filmwhich incorporates sounds
heard when thefilmisexhibited. However, itiscustomary atthepresent timeforrecords ofmusic
andother sounds embodied inthesound-track ofafilmtobedistributed intheaudio market inthe
form ofdiscs, tapes, etc.("records").
Section 16(2) ineffect provides thatwhen asoundtrack record isused (i.e.broadcast,
performed inpublic andthelike)suchusecannot constitute aninfringement ofthecopyright inthe
cinematograph film. This provision takes cognisance ofthesituation inthemarketplace and
recognises thatasound-track record isaseparate commercial commodity tothefilmandisindeed
aseparate work forpurposes ofcopyright. Obviously themaking ofthesoundtrack record will
impact uponthecopyright inthecinematograph filmbutoncetherecord hasbeenmade andreleased
itsfurther usehasnobearing onthecopyright inthecinematograph film.
11. Please explain whether theexception inSection 19B(2) permits themaking ofmultiple copies
ofawork aswellashowthephrase “reasonably necessary ”hasbeeninterpreted.
Section 19B(2) doespermit themaking ofmultiple copies provided thecopying assuchas
wellasthequantities ofcopies are"reasonably necessary ...forback-up purposes". There hasbeen
nojudicial interpretation todateoftheterm"reasonably necessary" butitcanbeexpected thatitwill
beinterpreted inasimilar manner totheinterpretation oftheterm"fairdealing" inSection 12(1).
Although thistermhasnotbeenjudicially interpreted inSouth Africa asyet,itiswidely accepted that
ourcourts willbeguided byUnited States jurisprudence onthequestion of"fairuse".IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page14
ANNEX
NOTICE 1290 OF1995
DEPARTMENT OFTRADE AND INDUSTRY
COPYRIGHT ACT, 1978
(ACT No.98OF1978)
APPLICATION OFTHE COPYRIGHT ACT OFSOUTH AFRICA TOOTHER COUNTRIES
I,Trevor Andrew Manuel, Minister ofTrade andIndustry, hereby provide, byvirtue ofthe
powers vested inmebysection 37(1) oftheCopyright Act,1978 (ActNo.98of1978), asamended,
thattheprovisions oftheabove-mentioned Actshall apply inthecaseofthecountries specified
hereunder.
Thisnotice shalltakeeffect onpublication.
SCHEDULE
BERNE CONVENTION COUNTRIES
State Date ofaccessionLatest ActoftheConvention towhich State
isparty anddate onwhich State became
party tothatAct
Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia andHerzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China6March 1994
10June 1967
14April 1928
1October 1920
10July1973
30July1983
5December 1887
3January 1961
4November 1993
6March 1992
9February 1992
5December 1921
19August 1963
21September 1964
10April 1928
3September 1977
25November 1971
5June 1970
15October 1992Paris: 6March 1994
Brussels: 10June 1967
Paris, Articles 22to38:8October 1980
Paris: 1March 1978
Paris: 21August 1982
Brussels: 10July1973
Paris, Articles 22to38:8January 1977
Paris: 30July1983
Brussels: 1August 1951
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:12February 1975
Paris: 12March 1975
Paris: 4November 1993
Paris: 6March 1992
Paris: 20April 1975
Paris: 4December 1974
Paris: 24January 1976
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:10November 1973
Rome: 1August 1931
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:7July1970
Paris: 3September 1977
Brussels: 25November 1971
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:25November 1971
Paris: 10July1975
Paris: 15October 1992IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page15
State Date ofaccessionLatest ActoftheConvention towhich State
isparty anddate onwhich State became
party tothatAct
Colombia
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
ElSalvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Holy Sea
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya7March 1988
8May 1962
10June 1978
1January 1962
8October 1991
24February 1964
1January 1993
1July1903
9October 1991
7June 1977
19February 1994
26October 1994
1December 1971
1April 1928
5December 1887
26March 1962
7March 1993
16May 1995
5December 1887
11October 1991
9November 1920
20November 1980
22July1991
25October 1994
11January 1996
12September 1935
25January 1990
14February 1922
7September 1947
1April 1928
5October 1927
24March 1950
5December 1887
1January 1994
15July1899
11June 1993
11August 1995
30September 1947
28September 1989
8March 1989
28September 1976Paris: 7March 1988
Paris: 5December 1975
Paris: 10June 1978
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:4May 1974
Paris: 8October 1991
Paris: 27July1983
Paris: 1January 1993
Paris: 30June 1979
Paris: 9October 1991
Paris: 7June 1977
Paris: 19February 1994
Paris: 26October 1994
Brussels: 1December 1971
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:15March 1972
Paris: 1November 1986
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:15December 1972
Paris: 10June 1975
Paris: 7March 1993
Paris: 16May 1995
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:22January 1974
Paris: 11October 1991
Paris: 8March 1976
Paris: 20November 1980
Paris: 22July1991
Paris: 25October 1994
Paris: 11January 1996
Paris: April 241975
Paris: 25January 1990
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:15December 1972
Rome: 7September 1947
Paris, Articles 22to38:28December 1984
Paris, Articles 1to21:6May 1984
Paris, Articles 22to38:10January 1975
Brussels: 5July1959
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:21December 1970
Brussels: 1August 1951
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:29January or
26February 1970
Paris: 14November 1979
Paris: 1January 1994
Paris: 24April 1975
Paris: 11June 1993
Paris: 11August 1995
Rome: 30September 1947
Paris: 28September 1989
Paris: 8March 1989
Paris: 28September 1976IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page16
State Date ofaccessionLatest ActoftheConvention towhich State
isparty anddate onwhich State became
party tothatAct
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic ofMoldova
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts andNevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent andthe
Grenadines
Senegal
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain30July1931
14December 1994
20June 1888
1January 1966
12October 1991
1October 1990
19March 1962
21September 1964
6February 1973
10May 1989
11June 1967
30May 1889
16June 1917
21March 1990
1November 1912
24April 1928
2May 1962
14September 1993
13April 1896
5July1948
2January 1992
20August 1988
1August 1951
28January 1920
29March 1911
2November 1995
1January 1927
13March 1995
1March 1984
9April 1995
24August 1993
29August 1995
25August 1962
1January 1993
25June 1991
3October 1928
5December 1887Brussels: 1August 1951
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:25May 1972
Paris: 14December 1994
Paris: 20April 1975
Brussels: 1January 1966
Paris: 12October 1991
Paris: 1October 1990
Paris: 5December 1977
Rome: 21September 1964
Paris, Articles 22to38:12December 1977
Paris: 21September 1976
Paris: 10May 1989
Paris: 17December 1974
Paris: 23November 1974
Paris: 17May 1987
Paris: 24December 1993
Paris, Articles 1to21:30January 1986
Paris, Articles 22to38:10January 1975
Rome: 4December 1947
Paris: 21May 1975
Paris: 14September 1993
Paris, Articles 1to21:11October 1995
Paris, Articles 22to38:13June 1974
Rome: 5July1948
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:29January or
26February 1970
Paris: 2January 1992
Paris: 20August 1988
Brussels: 1August 1951
Paris, Articles 22to38:16July1980
Paris, Articles 1to21:22October 1994
Paris, Articles 22to38:4August 1990
Paris: 12January 1979
Paris: 2November 1995
Rome: 6August 1936
Stockholm, Articles 22to38:29January or
26February 1970
Paris: 13March 1995
Paris: 1March 1984
Paris: 9April 1995
Paris: 24August 1993
Paris: 29August 1995
Paris: 12August 1975
Paris: 1January 1993
Paris: 25June 1991
Brussels: 1August 1951
Paris, Articles 22to38:24March 1975
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:19February 1974IP/Q/ZAF/1
Page17
State Date ofaccessionLatest ActoftheConvention towhich State
isparty anddate onwhich State became
party tothatAct
SriLanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Theformer Yugoslav
Republic ofMacedonia
Togo
Trinidad andTobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United Republic of
Tanzania
United States ofAmerica
Uruguay
Venezuela
Yugoslavia
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe20July1959
23February 1971
1August 1904
5December 1887
17July1931
8September 1991
30April 1975
16August 1988
5December 1887
1January 1952
25October 1995
5December 1887
25July1994
1March 1989
10July1967
30December 1982
17June 1930
8October 1963
2January 1992
18April 1980Rome: 20July1959
Paris, Articles 22to38:23September 1978
Paris: 23February 1977
Paris, Articles 1to21:10October 1974
Paris, Articles 22to38:20September 1973
Paris: 25September 1993
Paris, Articles 1to21:2September 1995
Paris, Articles 22to38:29December 1980
Paris: 8September 1991
Paris: 30April 1975
Paris: 16August 1988
Paris: 16August 1975
Paris: 1January 1996
Paris: 25October 1995
Paris: 2January 1990
Paris: 25July1994
Paris: 1March 1989
Paris: 28December 1979
Paris: 30December 1982
Paris: 2September 1975
Paris: 31January 1975
Paris: 2January 1992
Rome: 18April 1990
Paris, Articles 22to38:30December 1981