WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
ORGANIZACION MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights IPIN/lIMUS/C/l 
17 July 2002 
(02-3963) 
Original: English/ 
anglaisl 
ingles 
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
MAURITIUS 
The present document reproduces the text! of the following laws and regulations, notified by Mauritius in 
addition to its initial notification under Article 63.2 of the Agreement, by a communication from its Permanent 
Mission dated 3 July 2001: 
Copyright Act 1997, Act No. 12 of 1997. The Act repeals the Copyright Act 1996 
Reprint of Section 32 of the Copyright Act 1997, published as Act No. 12 of1997 
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriete 
intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce 
PRlNCIPALES LOIS ET REGLEMENTATIONS CONSACREES A LA 
PROPRlETE INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIEES AU TITRE 
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
MAURICE Page 
2 
31 
Le present document contient le texte1 des lois et reglementations ci-apres, notifiees par Maurice au moyen 
d'une communication de sa Mission permanente, datee du 3 juillet 2001, qui s'ajoutent sa notification initiale au titre 
de I'article 63:2 de l'Accord: 
Page 
Loi de 1997 sur le droit d'auteur, Loi n° 12 de 1997. La Loi abroge la Loi sur le droit d'auteur 2 
de 1996. 
Reimpression de I'article 32 de la Loi de 1997 sur le droit d'auteur, publiee en tant que Loi n° 12 31 
de 1997. 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio 
PRlNCIPALES LE YES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDlCADOS A LA PROPIEDAD 
INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD DEL pARRAFO 2 DEL 
ARTiCULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
MAURICIO 
En el presente documento se reproduce et texto1 de las siguientes leyes y reglamentos que Mauricio notifico 
ademas de su notificacion inicial de conformidad con 10 dispuesto en el parrafo 2 del articulo 63 del Acuerdo por una 
comunicacion de su Mision permanente, de fecha 3 de julio de 2001: 
Pagina 
Ley de Derecho de Autor de 1997, Ley N° 12 de 1997. Esta Ley deroga la Ley de Derecho de Autor 2 
de 1996 
Reimpresion de la Seccion 32 de la Ley de Derecho de Autor de 1997, publicada como Ley N° 12 31 
de 1997 
1 In English only.!En anglais seulement.!En ingh!s solamente. IP /Nil IMUS/CIl 
Page 2 
THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1997 
Act No. 12 of 1997 
28th July 1997 I assent 
C. UTEEM 
President of the Repubiic 
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
Section 
PARTI-PREL~ARY 
I. Short tirle 
2. Interpretation 
PART II -PROTECTION OF WORKS 
J. Protection of works 
4. Economic rights. 
5. Moral rights 
6. Alienation of works 
7. Ownership of rights 
8. Contracts for commissioned works 
PART III -FEATURES OF ECONOMIC RlGHTS 
9. Transfer of economic rights 
10. Agreements regarding furure works 
11. Non-use of economic rights 
l2. Duration of economic rights 
PART IV -LIMITATIONS ON ECONOMIC RlGHTS 
13. Private reproduction for personal purposes 
14. Quotation 
15. Reproduction for teaching 
16. Reprographic reproduction by libraries and archives 
17 Reproduction, broadcasting and other communication to the public for informall..1l,), 
purposes 
) 8. Reproduction and adaptation of computer programmes 
19. Importation for personal purposes 
20. Distribution of copies of works 
21. Public lending 
22. Display of works IP/NI1 lMUS/C/l 
Page 3 
PART V -BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS, 
PERFORMERS AND PRODUCERS 
23, Rights of broadcasting organisations 
24. Acts requiring authorisation of perfonners 
25, Gram of authorisati on by performers . 
26, Acts requiring authorisation of producers of sound recordings 
27. Obligations of producers 
28, Notice of protection 
29. Equitable remuneration for llse of sound recordings 
30, Limitation on protection 
PART VI -APPLICATION OF ACT 
3 J. Scope of protection 
PART VII -THE SOCIETY 
32 The Society llnd ilS management 
33 Appointment of staff 
34. Fun<.:tions ot"thc Society 
35. Membership of the Society 
36. General Fund 
37. PubliCation of accounts 
38. Execution of documents 
39. Exemptions 
40. Ruh:s 
PART VID -JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 
4 I. Civil remedies 
42. Presumptions 
43. Vain threats 
44, Offences 
PART IX-NUSCELLANEOUS 
45. Regulations 
46. Transitional provisions 
47. Repeal 
48. Commencement IPIN/l/MUS/C/] 
Page 4 
et 
To make better provision for the protection of intellectual propE!rty 
and for connected matters 
ENACTED by the Parliament of Mauritius, as follows­
PART I -PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title. 
This Act may be cited as the Copyrighr Act 1997 
2. Interpretation. 
(1) In this Act-
"acknowledgement", in relation to a work, means the identification of the 
work-
by its title or other description: and 
unless the work is anonymous or the author of tht! v.ork 
has agreed not to be identified, by its author: 
"artistic, literary or scientific work"-
(a) means a production in the artistic. literary or 
scientific domain; 
(b) includes-
(i) a book, pamphlet or other writing; 
(ii) an illustration or a map, p tan or sketch: 
Wi) a lecture, sermon or any other addrc:ss ef 
a similar nature: 
(iv) a dramatic or dramatico-musical work: 
(v) a musical work; 
(vi) a choreographic work or pantomime; 
(vii) an aOdiovisual work; 
(viii) a sound recording; 
(ix) a work of fine art, such as a drawing or 
painting, a work of architecture or 
sculpture, an engraving or lithography; 
(x) a photographic work; 
(xi) a work of applied art, whether piOduced 
by handicraft or on an industrial s.cale; 
(xii) a computer program~ IP/N/lIMUS/C/l 
Page 5 
(e) does not include-
(i) any idea, procedure, 'system, method of 
operation, concept, princ ipie, discovery or mere 
data? even if it is or they' are expressed, 
described, explained, illustrated or embodied in 
a work; 
(i i) an official text of a legislative, administrative or 
legal nature or an official translation thereof; 
"audiovisual work"-
(aJ means a work consisting of a series of related images 
and accompanying sounds, if any, wh ich are intended 
to be shown by any appropriate device; 
(b) includes a cinematograph or other film; 
"author"-
(a) means the person who has intellectually created a work; 
(b) includes-
(i) in the case of an al.}diovisual work or a sound 
recording, the producer; 
Cii) in the case of a computer programme, the person 
who has created the programme; 
(iii) in the case of a photograph, the person 
responsible for its composition; 
"Berne Convention" means the Convention for the Protection of Literary 
and Artistic Works sigfl.ed in Berne; 
"Board" means the Board referred to in section 32~ 
"broad cast"-
(a) means a transmission by wireless telegraphy of images, 
sounds or other information which--
(i) is capabJe of being la~fully received by the 
public; and. 
(ii) is transmitted for presentation to the public; 
(b) includes a transmission referred to in paragraph (.1) 
made via satellite; 
"broadcasting organisation" means the Mauritius Broadcasting 
Corporation or such other organisation as may be prescribed~ 
"Chainnan" means the Chainnan of the Board; IPlNl1lMUS/C/l 
Page 6 
"communicate"-
(a) means to undertake a process required to make a wcrk 
available other than a distribution of a copy; 
(b) includes to perform, display or broadcast; 
"communicate by cable" means to communicate a work to the public 
over wire or other paths provided by a material substance; 
"computer" means an electronic or similar device which has 
information processing capabilities; 
"computer program" means a set of instructions, expressed in words, 
codes, schemes or in any other form, which is capable, when incorporated 
in a machine-readable medium, of causing a computer to perform or achieve 
a particular task or result~ 
"copy" includes a reproduction of a work in­
(a) a 'WTitten fonn; 
(b) the fonn of a recording; or 
(e) any other material fonn; 
"copyright" means an economic right subsisting in a work; 
"copyright owner"-
(a) means the original owner of the copyright; 
(b) includes any person deriving title from the 
original owner; 
"derivative work"· 
(a) means a translation, adaptation, arrangement or other 
alteration of a pre-existing artistic, literary or scientific 
work; 
includes-
(i) a collection or compilation of pre-existing works, 
of expressions of folklore or of mere facts or 
data; 
(ii) an anthology, an encyclopaedia or a data base; 
or 
(iii) any other work. which. by reason of selection 
and arrangement of its contents, is original; 
"display" means to show-
(aj a copy of a work directly, or by means of a fi Irn, slide, 
television image or otherwise on screen, or by means 
of any other device or process; 
(b) in the case of audiovisual work, individual images 
nonsequentially; "ecof).)r;'lic ri2:ht" means a right :>pccificd in section 4: 
-~ ~ 
"equitable remuneration" means-
(aJ such remuneration as may be prescribed; or IP/N/lIMUS/C/l 
Page 7 
(0) where no such remuneration has been prescribed, such 
remuneration as may, in default of agr~ement between 
the relevant parties, be determined by the Society; 
"exclusive licence" means a licence to the exclusion of all other 
persons, including the copyright owner~ 
"expressions of fol~lore"-
(aJ means productions of characteristic elements of the 
traditional artistic heritage developed and 
maintained by a community-or by individuals reflecting 
the traditional artistic expectations or a communjty~ 
includes folk tales, folk poetry, folk song~ 
instrumental folk music, folk dances and plays 
artistic fonns or rituals and productions of folk art; 
"first published" means-
(aJ first published in Mauritius; or 
first published outside Mauritius and published In 
Mauritius not later than 30 days thereafter; 
"infringing copy"-
(a) means a copy of a work which infringes copyright 
subsisting in the \l,Jork; 
incL.ldes a counterfeit copy: 
'~Iicence" means a written authorisation granted by a copyright owner 
to another person to exploit tl:e copyright for a limited period~ 
"Minister" means the Minister to whom responsibility for the sub 
"ject of Copyright is assigned; . 
"moral right" means a right specified in section 5; 
"original work"-
(a) means a work which is the product of a person's skill 
or labour; 
(b) . does not include a work which is essentially a copy of 
another work; 
"perform" means to present a work or expressions of folklore by a 
personal rendition; IPlNllIMUS/C/l 
Page 8 
"photographic work" includes a work expressed by a process analogous 
to photography~ 
"producer" means the person who has taken the initiative and financial 
responsibility for the making of an audiovisual work or a sound recording; 
"published work" means a work which, with the express authorisation 
of the copyright owner and, depending on the nature of the work, is 
reproduced and made avai lable to the public in such copi es as to satisfy its 
reasonable requirements; 
"reproduce ". 
(aJ 
(h) means to make one or more copies of a work in any 
material form; 
includes-
(i) to make a sound or visual recording of an 
audiovisual work; 
(ii) to store a work in any manner by electronic 
means~ 
"reprographic reproduction" means the making of facsimile copies of 
the original or a copy of a work by means other than printing, such as 
photocopying, whether or not they are reduced or enlarged in scale; 
"Society" means the Mauritius Society of Authors referred to in 
section 32; 
"sound recording"-
raj means the first fixation of a sequence of sounds capable 
of being perceived aurally and of being reproduced 
by any appropriate device; 
(h) does not include the sound track associated with an 
audiovisual work~ 
"Universal Convention" means the Universal Copyright Convention~ 
"work" means an artistic, literary or scientific work, or a derivative 
work, which is protected in accord~nce with section 3; 
«work of applied art" means a two-dimensional or three 
-dimensional artistic creation with utilitarian functions or incorporated in a 
useful article, produced by handicraft or on an industrial scale; 
"useful article" means an article havina an intrinsic utilitarian to> 
function, that is not merely to portray the appearance of the article or to 
convey infonnation; lP/Nil IMUS/CI I 
Page 9 
'''work of joint ownership" means a work jointly created by 2 or 
more authors in which the individual contribution of each aurbor cannot be 
readily assessed. . 
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a reference to a display, 
performance, broadcast or communication to the public includes a display, 
performance, broadcast or communication-
(a) at a place open to the public or when a substantial 
number of persons outside the normal circle of a 
family and its close social acqua intances is 
present; or 
(b) to a place referred to in paragraph (a) or to the 
public by means of any device or process, 
irrespective of the time or place at which any 
member of the public receivesthe display 
performance, broadcast or communication. 
PART II -PROTECTION OF WORKS 
3. Protection of works 
(1) Subject to this Act, the author of an artistic, literary or scientific 
work or of a derivative work shall, irrespective of the quality of the work 
and the purpose for which the work may have been created, be entitled to 
protection for his work where it is-
(a) an original work; and 
(b) written down, recorded, fixed or otherwise reduced 
to any material form. 
(2) Subsection (1) shall not, in the case of a derivative work, 
affect the protection attaching to a pre-existing work used for making the 
derivative work. 
(3) The protection of an author's work referred to in subsection 
(1) shal1 not be subject to any formality. 
(4) The protection afforded by subsection (1) to the author of an 
artistic, literary or scientific work shall not be affected by any right 
accruing to a broadcaster or a performer under this Act. IPINIIIMUS/CI 1 
Page 10 
4. Economic rights 
(1) Subject to Part rv, the copyright owner of a work -shall, in 
relation to the whole or a substantial part of the work, have the exclusive 
right to carry out or authorise any of the following acts-
(a) reproduction of the work; 
(b) 
(e) 
(ei) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
(h) distribution to the public of the original and each copy 
of the work by sale, rental or otherwise; 
public perfonnance of the work; 
communication of the work to the public; 
broadcasting the work; 
importation of copies of the work, even where the 
imported copies were made with the authorisation of 
the author or other owner of the copyright; 
translation of the work; or 
adaptation, arrangement or other transformation of 
the work; 
(2) (a) Where an original work of fine art is sold by the pur­
chaser thereof at a public auction or through a profes­
sional art dealer, the author shall be entitled to a share 
of the resale price if that price is higher than the amount 
that had been originally paid by the purchaser. 
The share referred to in paragraph (a) shall be-
(a) determi!!ed by the Society; 
(h) collected from the auctioneer or dealer, as the 
case may be, and distributed, by the Society. 
5. Moral rights 
( 1 ) An author shall, whether or not he has transferred his economic 
rights, have the right to-
l a) claim authorship of his work, except where the work is 
included, incidentally or accidentally, in reporting 
current events by means of broadcasting; 
(0) remain anon}111ous or use a pseudonym; 
re) object to any distortion, mutilation or other alteration 
of his work where such an act is, or would bc, , 
prejudicial to his honour or reputation. 
(2) The rights referred to in subsection (1) shall be protected untii 
the expiry of the period specified in section 16 for the protection of the 
economic rights relating to the work. . 
A moral right shall be unassignable 6. Alienation of works IP /NI I IMUS/CIl 
Page I I 
Subject to section 22, where an author alienates the original or a copy 
of his wor~ he shall not, unless the contract of alienation otherwise provides, 
be deemed to have transferred any economic right, granted a licence or 
waived the exercise of any moral right. 
7. Ownership of rights 
(1) Subject to this section, the author of a work shall own the 
economic and moral rights relating to the work. 
(a) T he physical person whose name is indicated on a 
work in the usual manner as the author shaH, in 
the absence of proof to the contrary, be presumed 
to be the author of the work, even if the name is a 
pseudonym, where the pseudonym leaves no doubt 
as to the identity of the author. 
(b) In other cases of anonymous or pseudonymous works. 
the publisher whose name appears on the work shall, 
in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to 
represent the aut.~or, a.'"ld in this capacity he shall be 
entitled to prtect and enforce the author's rights, un 
less the author reveals his identity and estab lishes his 
claim to author ship of the work. 
(e) The person whose name, or the name of which, 
appears on an audiovisual work in the usual 
manner shall. in the absence of proof to the 
contrary, be presumed to be the maker of the work. 
(3) The authors of a work of joint authorship shall be the 
co-owners of the economic and moral rights relating to the work .. 
(4) The author of an independent part of a work of joint authorship 
shall, while being a co-author in respect of the work of joint authorship, be 
considered to be the author of his contribution where it can be performed, 
reproduced or otherwise used separately. 
(5) Where a work is--
(a) made in the course of the author's employment: or 
(b) commissioned by another person and the employer or 
person who has conunissioned the work has undertaken 
to pay an agreed sum for the creation of the work., the 
economic rights relating to the work shall, subject to 
any agreement berween the parties excluding or limiting 
the transfer, be deemed to be assigned to the author'S 
employer or to the person who has commissioned 
the work, as the case may be. IP/N/1/MUS/C/1 
Page 12 
(6) The producer of an audiovisual work shall own the economic 
rights relating to the work other than the rights in any musical work 
included therein. 
8. Contracts for commissioned works 
(1) Where a contract has been entered into on the commissioning 
of a work to be created, the person who has commissioned the work shall, 
within 3 months from the date on which the work is delivered to him, make 
a written declaration indicating his acceptance of the work. 
(2) Where no declaration is made within the time specified in 
subsection (I), the work shall be deemed to have been accepted by the 
person who has commissioned it. 
(3) A person who has commissioned a work may, within the time 
specified in subsection (1), or such further tLT!le as may be agreed between 
the parties, return the work to the author with a written request for such 
corrections or amendments as may be felt necessary. 
( 4) Where an author refuses to comply with a request tor a correctIon 
or amendment, or if the corrected or amended work does not satisfy the 
stipulated purpose, the person who commissioned the work may terminate 
the contract but shall pay to the author an equitable remaneration in return 
for the work done by the author. 
PART III -FEATIJRES OF ECONOMlC RIGHTS 
9. Transfer of economic rights 
(1) Copyright shall be transmissible as movable property. 
(2) Subject to section 7(5), no assignment of an econo'mic right shall be 
valid unless it is made in writing. 
(3) The assignment of an economic right in a. work shall not 
imply the assignment of any other economic right therein. 
(4) Where an assignment of an economic right is governed by a 
written agreement. the scope of the assignment shall be limited to the 
specific use of the economic right mentioned in the agreement. 
(5) Where the ownership of a copy of a work is assigned, the 
economic rights relating to the work shall, unless the contrary is proved. 
not be deemed to be assigned. 
(6) Where an agreement for the assignment of an economic right 
fails to mention the time for which the assignment shall operate, the as­
signment shall tenninate after 10 years. fPlNll/MUS/CIl 
Page 13 
. (7) .Where an agreement for the assignment of an econom.:C right 
fad.s to mentl~n any country in which the assignment may have effect, the 
asslgnment shall only operate in Mauritius. 
(8) Where an agreement for the assignment of an eCQAomic right 
fails to specify the ways and means of exploitation of the right, the assignee 
shal I be entitled to exploit the right by such ways and mean~ as are necessary 
for tbepurpose envisaged by the parties when the assignmellt was granted. 
(9) Nothing in· this section shall prevent the copyright owner of a 
work from granting a licence, whether exclusive or not, to another person. 
10, Agreement regarding future works 
(I) Where an author undertakes in writing to grant a licence or to 
assign the economic rights concerning future works which are not 
specified in detail, either party may on giving not less than one month's 
notjce, tenninate the agreement not earlier than 3 years after it was signed 
or such shorter period as may have been agreed. 
(2) The right oftennination referred to in subsection (1) may not 
be waived in advance. 
11. Non-use of economic rights 
(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a person to whom an economic 
right in a work has been assigned, or an exclusive licensee does not exercise 
his right, or does so only inadequately, and the author's legitimate interests 
are prejudiced by such failure, the author may revoke the assignment or 
exclusive licence. 
(2) A revocation in accordance with subsection (l) shall not be 
effected where the non-exercise or inadequate exercise ofa right is primarily 
due to circumstances which the author can be expected to remedy-
(3) The right to revoke an assignment or a licence in accordance 
with subsection (1) shall not be exercised earlier than 3 years from the date 
of assignment or licence, or, if the work is supplied subsequently, from the 
date of delivery of the work. 
(4) The right of revocation referred to in subsection (1) may not 
be waived in advance. 
12. Duration of economic rights 
(1) Subject to this section, the economic rights relatjng to the work 
of an author shall be protected during his lifetime and for 50 years 
thereafter. 
(2) The economic rights relating to a work of joint authorship shall 
be protected during the lifetime of the last. surviving author and for 50 
years thereafter. IP/N/lIMUS/C/l 
Page 14 
(3) (a) Subject to paragraph Cb), where a work is published 
anonymously or under a pseudonym, the economic 
rights relating to the work shall be protected until the 
expiry of 50 years from the date on which the work was 
first published. 
(b) Where, before the expiry of the period of 50 years 
specified in paragraph (a), the author's identity is 
revealed or is no longer in doubt, the economic rights 
relating to the work shall be protected during the lifetime 
of the author and for 50 years thereafter. 
(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), where the economic rights 
relating to a work specified in section 7(5) are deemed to be assigned 
under that section, they shaH be protected until the expiry of 50 years 
from the date on which the work was created or first published, as the case 
may be. 
(5) The economic rights relating to an audiovisual work shal! be 
protected until ~he ex.piry of--
(a) 50 years from the making of the work; or 
(b) where the work is broadcast or communicated to the 
publ ic during the period specified in paragrap.h 
(a) with the express authorisation of its maker, 50 years 
from the end ofrhe year during which the authorisation 
was gran ted. 
(6) The economic rights relating to a photographic work or a work 
of applied art shaH be protected until the expiry of25 years from the mak­
ing of the work. 
(7) Every period specified in this section shall extend to the end 
of the year in which it would otherwise expire. 
PART IV -LIMITATIONS ON ECONOMIC RIGHTS 
13. Private reproduction for personal purposes 
(1) ·Subject to this section, the private reproduction of a published 
work in a single copy, where the reproduction is made by a physical person 
exclusively for his own personaJ purposes, shall be permitted, without the 
authorisation of the author of, or other owner of the copyright in~ rlle work.. 
(2) The permission referred to in subsection (1) shall not extend 
to the reproduction-
(i) ofa work of architecture in the form ofa building or 
other construction; 
(ji) where the reproduction is a reprographic reproduction, 
of an entire book, of a musical work in graphic form, 
or of the original, or a copy made and signed by the 
author, of a work of fine art; IP/N/1/MUS/C/l 
Page 15 
(iii) of a data base; or 
(iv) of a computer progra'rn, except as provided 10 
section 18, 
(3) (aJ Where a reproduction made under subsection (1) 
concerns an audiovisual work or a work,embodied in a sound recording, 
the author or other owner of copyright shall be entitled to equitable 
remuneration 10 be paid to, and distributed by, the Society. 
(b) The equitable remuneration shall be paid-
14. Qno'tation (i) by the manufacturer of the equipment or 
material supports nonnaIly used for private 
reproduction for personal purposes of the work, 
ex.cept where such equipment is, or such 
material supports are, exported; or 
(ii) by those who import such equipment or material 
supports, except where the importation is by a 
private person for his personal purposes. 
(I) The reproduction of a short part of a published work, in the 
fonn of a quotation, in another work, shall be permitted without 
the authorisation of the author of, or ot.~er owner of the copyright in, the 
work from which the quotation is taken, where the reproduction is 
compatible with fair practice and its extent does not exceed the extent 
justified by the purpose. 
(2) The quotation shall be accompanied by the indication of its 
source and the name of the author if his name appears in lhe work from 
which the quotation is taken. 
15. Reproduction for teaching 
(1) The following acts shall be permitted without the authorisation 
of the author of, or other owner of the copyright in, the work-
(a) the reproduction of a short part of a published work, 
by way of illustration, in writings or sound or visual 
recording for teaching, where the reproduction is 
compatible with fair practice, and its extent does 
not exceed the extent justified by the purpose; 
(b) the reprographic reproduction~ for face-to-face teaching 
in educational institutions whose activities do not serve 
direct or indirect commercial gain, to the extent justified 
by the purpose, ofa published article or other short work 
or short extract of a writing, with or without illustrations, 
where-
(i) the act of reproduction is an isolated one 
occurring. ifrepeated, on separate and unrelated 
occas ions; and IPIN/l/MUS/C/l 
Page 16 
(ii) there is no licence available, offered by a 
collective administration organisation in a way 
that the educational institution is aware or should 
be aware of the availability of the licence, under 
which such reproduction can be made. 
(2) On any copy made under subsection (1), its source and the 
name of the author shall be indicated as far as practicabie. 
16. Reprograpbic reproduction by libraries and archives 
Any library or archive whose activities do not serve direct o'r indirect gain 
may, without the authorisation of the author of, or other owner of ~opyright 
in, the wor~ make a single copy of the work by reprographic reproduction 
where--
(a) the work reproduced is' a pubi i$hed article or other short 
work or short extract of a writing, wlth or without 
ilIustratioris,and where the purpose of the reproduction is 
to satisfy the request of a physical person, jf-
(i) the library or archive is satisfied that the copy will be 
used solely for the purpose of study, scholarship or 
private research; 
the act of reproduction is an isolated case occun-ing, if 
repeated. on separate and unrelated occasions; and 
(iii) there is no licence available, offered by a collective 
administration organisation in a w~y that the library or 
archive is aware or should be aware of the availability 
of the licence, under which such copies can be made; or 
(b) the making of such copy is in order to preserve and, if 
necessary in the event that it is lost, destroyed or rendered 
unusable, replace·a copy or to replace, in the permanent 
collection of another similar library or archive. a copy which 
has been lost, destroyed or rendered unusable, if-
(i) it is impossible to obtain such a copy under reasonable 
condilions; and 
the act of reprographic reprod uction is an isolated case 
occurrmg., if repeated, on separate and unrelated 
occasions. IP!N1l IMUS/CIl 
Page 17 
.17. Reproduction, broadcasting and other communication to the 
public for inforrnatory purpose~ 
The following acts shall be permitted, without the authorisation of 
the author of, or other owner of copyright in, subject to the obligation to 
indicate, as far as practicable, the source and the name.ofthe author-
(a) the reproduction in a newspaper orperiodical, the broadcasting 
or other communication to the public, of an article published 
in a newspaper or periodical on current economic, political or 
religiou~ topics or a broadcast work of the same character, 
unless the right to authorise reproduction, broadcasting or other 
communication to the public is expressly reserved by the author 
or other owner of copyright. on the copies, or in connection 
with the broadcasting or other communication to the public, 
of the work; 
(b) the reproduction and the broadcasting or other communic alion 
to the public, for the purpose of reporting current events, 
of short excerpts of a work seen or heard in the course of 
such an event. to the extent justified by the said purpose; 
(e) the reproduction in a newspaper or periodical, the broadcasting 
or other communication to the public ofa political speech, a 
lecture. address, sermon or other 'work of similar nature 
delivered in public, or a speech delivered'. during legal 
proceedings, to the extent justified by the pu~pose of 
providing current information. 
18. Reproduction and adaptation of computer programs 
(1) The reproduction in one copy or the adaptation of a compu[er 
program. shall be permitted, without the authorisation ofthe aurhor of. or 
other owner of copyright in, a computer program, by the lawful owner of 
that computer program, where the copy or adaptation is necessary-
(a) for the use of the computer program, in cOI~jur.ction with 
a computer for the purpose, and to the extent, for which 
the computer program has been obtained; 
(b) for archival purposes. and, for the replacement of the 
lawfully owned copy of the computer program in the 
event that the lawfully obtained copy of the computer 
program is lost, destroyed or rendered unusable. 
(2) No copy or adaptation referred to in subsection (I) shail be 
used for any purpose other than the ones determined in subsection (I), and 
any such copy or adaptation shall be destroyed in the event that continucJ 
possession of the copy of the computer program ceases to be lawful. 
19. Importation for personal purposes 
The importation of a copy of a work, by a physical person, for his 
personal purposes, shall be permitted without the authorisation of the 
author of, or other owner of copyright in. the work. IP/N/IIMUS/CIl 
Page 18 
20. Distribution of. copies of works 
(I) Where a work has been published by means of th~ sale of 
copies to the public,such copies may, without the author's authorisation 
and without payment of remuneration, be redistributed by means of sale. 
(2) Therigh~ of rental shall not apply to rentals of computer 
programs, where the computer program is not the essential object of the 
rental. 
21. Public lending 
(1) A library or archive whose activittes do not, directly: or 
ind~tly, serve commercial gain may, without the author's authorisation 
but subje,et to subsection (2), lend to a member of the public a copy of a 
work." other than a computer program, which is included' in a book, 
periodical or other printed article which is part of the permanent collection 
of the library or archive. 
(2) Every library or archive referred to in subsection (1) shall pay 
an equitable remuneration to the Society which shall distribute it to the 
author entitled thereto. 
22. Display of works 
The public display of originals qr copies of works shall be permitted 
without the authorisatjon of the author, where-
(aJ the display is not made by means of a film, slide, television 
jrnageor otherwise on screen or by means of any other device 
or process; and 
(b) the work has been published7 or the original or the copy 
displayed has been soid, given away or otherwise 
transferred to another person by the author. 
PART V -BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS, 
PERFORMERS AND PRODUCERS 
23. Rights of broadcasting organisations 
(1) Sub~tto subsection (2), every broadcasting organisation shall 
have the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit-
(aJ the rebroadcasting of its broadcasts; 
(b) 
(c) the fixation of its broadcasts; or 
the reproductjon of the fixation of its broadcasts 
where--
(i) 
(ii) the fixation used to make the reproduction was 
made without its authorisation; or 
the broadcast, which was, ,fixed in,. accordance 
with its authorisation, is reproduced for a purpose 
other than that for which the authorisation was 
granted. fP/N/I/MUS/C/l 
Page 19 
C=) The protection referred to in subsection (I ') shall subsisT uD:il 
the expiry of 20 years from t.~e end of the year in ',:\,hich the bro::dcn.st took 
T11-::t,.-.,p c""'t:; ........ '-o<-· 
24. Acts requiring authorisation of performe~ 
(1) Subject to subsection (4), no person shall, without the 
authorisation of the perforrner-
(a) broadcast a performance or distribute it by cable, except 
where the broadcast or distribution-
(i) is made from 3 fiution of the perfonnance; or 
(ii) is a broadcast or distribution of a performance 
made or authorised by the person who initially 
broadcast the perfonnance; 
(b) communicate a perfonnance to the public, except where 
the communication is made from-
(i) a fix.ation of the performance~ or 
(ii) a broadcast or distributio:1 by cable of the 
performance; 
(e) fix an unfixed programme; 
(d) reproduce a fixation of a performance where-
(i) the performance was initially fixed without the 
performer's authorisation; 
(H) the reproduction is made for a purpose which 
is different from that for which the perfonner 
gave his a~thorisation; or 
(iii) the reproduction is made for a purpose which 
is different from that for which it was. originally 
fixed. 
(2) In the absence of any agreement to the contrary, or of 
circumstances of employment from which the contrary would 
ordinarily be inferred-
an authorisation to broadcast or distribute a performance 
by cable shall not imply an authorisation to--
(i) licence another person to broadcast or distribute 
the performance by cable; 
(ii) fix the performance; 
(iii) reproduce a fixation; and 
an authorisation to fix a performance or to reproduce a 
fixation shall not imply an authorisation to broadcast 
or distribute the performance by cable from the fix.ation 
or any reproduction of that fixation. IP!N1l IMUS/CI1 
Page 20 
(3) ~here a performer has authorised the incorporation of his 
performance In an audiovisual fixation, subsection (I) shall have no 
further application. 
(~) _ The protection referred to in subsection (l) shall sub~ist until 
the expIry of 50 years from the end of the year in which the performance 
took place. 
(5) Nothing in this section shall prevent a performer from 
agreeing in writing terms and conditions that are more favourable in 
respect of any use of his performance. 
25. Grant of authorisation by performers 
(1) An authorisation under secti.on 24 may be given by a 
performer or by a duly appointed representative to whom the 
perfonner- has delegated his power in writing. 
(2) An authorisation given by a perfonner claiming th3.t he has 
retained any right specified in section 24, or by a person 
claiming to be the duly appointed representative of a performer, 
shall be valid unless the recipient knew, or had good reason fO 
believe. that the claim or appointment, as the case may be, was not a 
valid one. 
26. Acts requiring the authorisation of producers of sound 
recordings _ 
(1) Subject to section 30, a producer of a sound recording shaH 
have the exclusive right to carry out or to authorise any of the following 
acts-
(a) direct or indirect reproduction of [he sound recording; 
(b) importation of copies of the sound recording, even where 
the imported copies were made with the authorisation 
of the producer; 
(e) adaptation or other transformation of the sound 
recording; 
(d) rental or public lending of a copy of the sound 
recording, irrespective of the ownership ofrhe copy 
rented or lent. 27. ObHgations of producenl IPlNlIIMUS/C/l 
Page 21 
(I) Every producer of a sound recording shall state on the label of 
the recording or on its oontainer-. 
(a) the names of the author and of the main performer; 
(b) the title of the work; 
the name or distinguishing mark of the producer; 
and 
that the rights accruing to the prodl!cer under this Act 
are reserved. 
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1 )(a), a choir or an 
orchestra shall be referred to by its name and that of its leader, if any. 
28. Notice of protection 
(I) Where a copy of a sound recording is made for commercial 
purposes, there shall be printed on the label or on its container a notice 
consisting of--
(a) the symbol P; and 
(b) the year in which the sound recording was first pub 
lished, 
placed in such manner as to give reasonable notice of a claim to protection 
of the rights of the pro~ucer. 
(2) Where the label of a copy of a sound recording or its 
container do not identify the producer by its name, descriprion or trade 
mark, the notice referred to in subsection (1) shall also include the name of 
the owner of the copyright in the recording. . 
(3) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall be prima facie 
evidence of the facts stated thereon for the purposes of any 
proceedings brought under this Act ~ith respect to the rights of the producer. 
(4) No person shall deal in, or have in his possession. a copy of a 
sound recording referred to in subsection (1) unless a mark or stamp of th~ 
Society is affixed to its iabel or container. 
29. Equitable remuneration for use of sound recordings 
(I) Where a sound recording published for commercial purposes, 
or a reproduction of such sound recording, is used directly for broadcasting 
or other communication to the public,.or is publicly performed, a single 
equitable remuneration for the perfonner and the producer of the sound 
recording shall be paid by the user to the producer. 
(2) Unless otherwise agreed between the performers and the 
producer, half of the amount received by the producer under suPsection (1) 
shall be paid by the producer to the performer. IPINIlIMUS/CIl 
Page 22 
(3) The right to an equitable remuneration under this section shall 
subsist from the publication of the sound recording until the expiry of 50 
years from the end ofrhe year of publication or, if the sound recording has 
not been published, until the expiry of 50 years from the end of the year of 
fixation. 
30. Limitation on protection 
Sections 23, 24,26 and 29 shall not apply where the acts referred to 
in those sections are related to-
(aj the use by a physical person exclusively for his own 
personal purposes; 
(b) using a short exceIpt for reporting current events to the 
extent justified by the purpose of providing current 
information; 
(e) use solely for the pu~se of face to face teaching or 
for scientific research; . 
(d) cases where, under Part IV, a work can be used without 
the authorisation of the author of, or the other own.er of 
copyright in. the work. 
PART VI -APPLICATION OF ACT 
31. Scope of protection 
(I) The protection referred to in section 3 shall apply to--
(a) a work whose author is a citizen of, or has his 
habitual residence in. Mauritius or another country party 
to the Berne Convention; 
(b) a work which was first published-
(e) (i) in Mauritius; or 
(ii) in another country and published in Mauritius 
not later than 30 days thereafter; 
an audiovisual work whose producer has his 
headquarters or habitual residence: in Mauritius; 
(d) a work of architecture erected in Mauritius and any 
other artistic work incorporated in such a work of 
arch itecture. 
(2) The protection referred to in section 26 shall apply to a per-
fonner who--
(a) 
(b) is a citizen of Mauritius; 
is not a citizen of Mauritius but whose performance-
0) takes place in Mauritius; 
(ii) is incorporated in a sound recording that is 
protected under this Act; or 
(iii) has not been fixed in a sound recording but is 
carried by a broadcast qualifying for protection 
under this Act. IP/N/1/MUS/CIl 
Page 23 
(3) The protection referred to in section 29 shall anplv to a souild 
~~~g- . . 
the producer of which is a citizen of Mauritius; 
in the case of which the first fixation of the sound was 
made in Mauritius; or 
which was first published in Mauritius. 
(4) The protection referred to in section 23 shall apply to a 
broadcast-
of a broadcasting organisation the headquarters of which 
are situated in Mauritius; or 
transmitted from transmitters situated in !t..1auritius. 
(5) The protection referred to in the sections specified i.n 
subsections (1) to (3) shall apply to performers and to producers of sound 
recordings who, and to works and broadcasting organisations which, are to 
be protected by virtue of, and in accordance with. any international con­
vention or other international agreement to which Mauritius is party. 
PART VII -THE SOCIETY 
32. The Society and its management 
(I) The Society established by the Copyright Act 1986 under the name 
of the Mauritius Society of Authors shall continue to exist as a body corporate 
and be deemed to have been established by this Act. 
(3) The Board shall consist of--
ra) a Chainnan, who shall be a barrister-at-Iaw of not less 
than 10 years' standing and who has knowledge of, and 
competence in, copyright matters; 
rb) a member of the Society and who shal! be an author or 
composer of a work with wide experience and 
knowledge in copyright matters; 
re) a representative of the Prime Minister's Office; 
(d) a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade; 
(e) a representative of the Ministry of Industry and 
Commerce; 
(f) a representative of the Ministry of Telecommunica-
tions and Information Technology; 
(g) a representative of the Ministry of Finance; 
(h) a representative of the Ministry of Arts and Culture; 
(i) 7 persons to be elected from among the members of 
the Society in such manner as the Society may decide. IPINIl IMUS/CIl 
Page 24 
(4) The Chainnan and the other members specified in subsectiQl 
3 (b) shall be appointed by the Minister. 
(5) The members of the Board specified in subsection (3 ) (c) (0 (i) 
shall hold office for 3 years but shall be eligible for re-appointme~~ or re­
election, as the case may be, for a further period of 3 years. 
(6) At every meeting of the Board,the Chairman ar.J 6 other 
members shall constitute a quorum. 
(7) Every member ofthe Board shall be paid by thf Society such 
remuneration or allowance as the Board may determine. 
33. Appointment of staff 
{l) The Board shall'appoint on such terms and conditions as it 
thinks fit-
(aJ a Director who shall be responsibl.: for the execution 
of the policy of the Board and act in accordance with JOlch directions as he 
may receive from the Board; 
(h) such other staff as may be necessary for the proper 
dis charge of the functions of the Society. 
(2) The staff referred to in subsection (l)(b) shall beunder the 
administrative control of the Director. 
34. FUDctiOD5 of the Society 
( 1 ) The Society shall-
detennine the criteria for, and classes of, membership 
of the Society; 
(b) represent and defend the interests of its members in 
Mauritius and abroad; 
(e) contribute by all appropriate means to the promotion of 
national creativity in the artistic, literary and scientific 
fields; 
administer within Mauritius on an exclusive basis 
such economic rights of its members as it may 
detennine; 
(e) negotiate with any users of a work-
(i) the conditions of, and th fees to be paid for, the 
authorisation to be given to do an act covered by 
any economic rights referred to in paragraph (d); 
(i i) the amount of equitable remuneration where the 
right to such remuneration is administered by 
the Society; 
(f) grant any authorisation which it is pennitted to give 
under this Act; 
(g) collect copyright fees fro&:: the users of a work on be 
half of its members and distribute those fees among 
those members; (h) make reciprocal agreements with foreign societies of 
authors for the issue of exclusive authorisation in 
respect of their members' works and for the collection 
and distribution of copyright fees deriving from those 
works; IP/NIlIMUS/CIl 
Page 25 
(i) endeavour to obtain the transfer of membership of Mauritian authors 
who are members of foreign societies of authors and safeguard in 
favour of Mauritian authors whose membership has been transferred 
all tile advantages which may have accrued to them before the 
transfer; 
(j) help in the preparation of standard forms of contract for the benefit 
and use of its members: 
(k) foster such harmony and understanding between authors and the 
users of their works as are necessary for the protection of the 
authors' economic rights; 
(1) provide its members with information or advice on all matters 
relating to copyright; 
(m) establish and administer a Provident Fund and a Benevolent Fund 
for its members and their heirs; 
(n) do any further activities which it has been authorised to do by any 
authors whose economic rights or rights to equitable remuneration it 
administers. 
(2) The Board may set up such technical committees as it deems fit in the 
discharge of its functions under subsection (1) 
35. Membership of the SOciety 
(1) A copyright owner or exclusive licensee may apply to the Board for 
membership of the Society. 
(2) Tfie Board may, on receipt of an application under subsection (I), request 
the applicant to furnish such particulars as it may require for the purpose of 
determining whether the application ought to be granted or not. 
(3) The Board may refuse the application or grant it on such terms and 
conditions and on payment of such membership fee as it thinks fit to 
Impose. 
36. General Fund 
(1) The Board shall establish a General Fund--
(a) into which any money received by the Society shall be paid; IP/N/1/MUS/C/1 
Page 26 
b) out of which all payments required to be made by the Society shall 
be effected. 
(2) The Board may, in the discharge of its functions and in accordance with the 
terms and conditions upon which its funds may have been obtained or 
derived, charge to the General Fund all remunerations, allowances, salaries, 
fees, gratuitiesl working expenses and other charges properly arising. 
(3) The Board shall manage, utilise, or invest the assets and the funds of the 
Society in such manner as for such purposes as in its opinion will best 
promote the interests of the Society. 
37. Publication of accounts 
(1) The Board shall, not later than 30 September in every year, publish in the 
Gazette an audited statement of its accounts in respect of the preceding 
financial year ending on 30 June. 
(2) For the purposes of subsection (I) the Board shall appoint an auditor on 
such tenns and conditions as it thinks fir. 
38. Execution of documents 
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every cheque or other document shal1 be deemed 
to be executed by or on behalf of the Society where it is signed by the 
Chairman and the Director. 
(2) The Board may, where the Chairman or the Director is unable to do so, 
designate a member of the Board to sign a cheque or other document. 
39. Exemptions 
40. (1) Article 910 of the Code Napoleon shall n6t apply to the Society. 
(2) The Society shall not be liable to the payment of income tax. 
(3) No registration duty shall-be payable in respect of any document signed or 
executed by the Society or under which it is the sol beneficiary. 
Rules 
(1) The Board may make such rules as it thinks fit in order io implement the 
objects of the Society. 
(2) Any rules made under subsection (I) shall nor be-
(a) laid before the Assembly; 
(b) approved by a Minister. P ART VIII· JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 
41. Civil remedies IP /NI lIMUS/CIl 
Page 27 
(1) An action by a copyright owner or an exclusive licensee for an 
infringement of copyright shall be commenced by plaint with summons 
before the Supreme Court. 
(2) In an action under subsection (I), the Supreme Court may, notwithstanding 
any other enactment, grant such remedies, by way of damages, injunction, 
forfeiture of any infringing copy and of any apparatus, article or thing used 
for the making the infringing copy or otherwise, as the Supreme Court 
thinks fir. 
(3) Where a person-
(a) has an infringing copy of a work in his possession, custody or 
control; or 
(h) has in his possession, custody or control an article specifically 
designed or adapted for making copies of a work entitled to 
protection under this Act. 
the copyright owner may apply to a Judge in Chambers for an order that the 
infringing copy or article be delivered up to him or to such other person as 
the Judge in Chambers may direct. 
42. Presumptions 
In any action for an alleged infringement of copyright-
(a) it shall be presumed. unless the defendant puts it in issue, that-
(i) copyright subsists in the work to which the action relates; 
(iD the plaintiff is the copyright owner if he claims so to be: 
(iii) the person whose name is indicated on an audiovisual work 
in the usual manner as producer is the producer of the work: 
(b) it shall be presumed. unless the contrary is proved. that the person 
named as author of a published work, if it was his true name or a 
name by. which he was commonly known, is the author of the work; 
(e) where it is proved or admitted that the author of a work is dead or a 
work was pub] ished anonymously or under a pseUdonym, it shall be 
presumed, unless thee contrary is proved. that-IP /NIl IMUS/CI 1 
Page 28 
43. Vain threats (j) the work is an original work; 
(ii) any al1egation by the plaintiff that the publication was a first 
publication and occurred in a specified country on a specific 
date is true; 
(iii) in the case of a work which was published anonymously or 
under a pseudonym, 'the publisher of the work is the 
copyright owner. 
(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a person who claims to be a copyright 
owner or an exclusive licensee threatens any oeher person with legal 
proceedings in respect of an alleged infringement of his copyright, the 
person threatened may-
(a) bring an action against the claimant and obtain an injunction against 
the continuance of the threat; 
(b) recover damages for any injury which he has sustained where the 
alleged infringement to which the threat related was not in fact an 
infringement of any copyright of the claimant. 
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the claimant commences and 
prosecutes an action with due diligence for infringement of his copyright. 
44. Offences 
(1) Any person who 
(a) without the express authorisation of the copyright owner-
(i) publishes, distributes or reproduces a work; 
(in perfonns a work for the public; 
(Hi) communicates a work to the pUblic; 
(iv) broadcasts a work; 
(v) makes a derivative work; 
(vi) imports otherwise than exclusively for his own private and 
personal use, sells~ exposes or offer Jor sale or hire, or has in 
his possession in the course of trade, any copy of a work 
which constitutes an infringement of the copyright of its 
owner, or would constitute such an infringement if the copy 
of the work were made in Mauritius; 
(b) manufactures or imports for sale or rental any device or means 
which is-
(i) specifically designed or adapted to circumvent any device or 
means intended to prevent or restrict reproduction of a work 
or to impair the quality of any copy made thereof; or 
(ii) susceptible to enable or assist the reception of an encrypted 
program, which is broadcast or otherwise corrununicated to 
the public, by a person who is not ent.itled to receive the 
program; IP/N/1/MUS/CIl 
Page 29 
(c) has in his possession in the course of trade any apparatus. article or 
thing, knowing that it is to be used for making infringing copies of a 
work or for a purpose referred to in paragraph (b): 
(d) in any other manner contravenes this Act.shal1 commit an offence. 
(2) For the purposes of subsection (j) (a). where a work is communicated to the 
public on the premises of an occupier by the operation of any apparatus 
which is provided by or with the consent of the occupier of those premises, 
the occupier shall be deemed to be the person communicating the work [0 
the public, whether he operates the apparatus or not. 
(3) (a) Any person who commits an offence shall, 
(i) on a first conviction, be 'liable to a fine not exceeding 
300,000 rupees and to imprisonment for -term not exceeding 
2 years. 
(ii) on a second or subsequent offence be liable to a fine not 
exceeding 500,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not 
exceeding 8 years. 
(b) Notwithstanding any other enactment, a District Magistrate shall 
have jurisdiction to try any person charged with an offence under 
this Act. 
(4) The Court before which a person is convicted of an offence may, in 
addition to any other penalty imposed-
(a) order the forfeiture of any apparatus, article or thing which is the 
subject matter of the offence or is used in connection with the 
commission of the offence; 
(b) order that such apparatus; article or thing shall be delivered up to 
any person lawfully entitled to it. 
PART IX . MISCELLANEOUS 
45. Regulations 
(1) The Minister may make such regulations as he thinks fit for the purposes of 
this Act, 
(2) Any regulations made under subsection (I) may provide for the amount of 
the equitable remuneration and the conditions of its payment [0 the Society. IP IN 11 IMU S/CIl 
Page 30 
46. Transitional provisions 
( 1 ) In th is sect ion-
"fanner society" means the Mauritius Society of Authors established 
by the Copyright Act 1986, 
(2) Every asset. right or liabil,ity of the fOiiiier society shall Yes! 
in, or attach to, the Society. 
(3) Any act commenced or done by, or in relation to the forme.· 
society shall be deemed to have been commenced or done by, or in relation 
to, the Society. 
47. Repeal 
(1) Subject to subsection .(2), the Copyright Act r 9 86 is repealed 
This Act shall-. 
(a) apply to any work, performance. sound recording or 
broadcast which, at the commencement of (his Act. 
enjoys protection under [he Copyright Act 1986: 
(b) not affect any contracts relating to a work., 
performance, sound recording or broadcast entered inw 
before the commencement of this Act. 
48. Commencement 
ThisAcr shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by 
Proclamation. 
Passed by the National Assembly on the twenty-second day of July on~ 
thousand nine hundred 'and ninety·seven. 
ANORE POMPON 
Cleric of/he Narional Assembly IP/N/lIMUS/C/I 
Page 31 
Reprint No. 4 of 1997 
THE REPRINT OF LA'VS ACT 
Reprint of section 32 oC the Copyright Act 1997 published as 
Act No. 12 of 1997, by direction of the Prime Mi.nister for the ., . 
purpose specified in section 3 (a) of the Reprint of Laws Act 
32. The Society and its management 
(1) The Society established by the Copyright Act 1986 under the 
name of the Mauritius Society of Authors shall continue to ex ist as a body 
corporare and be deemed co have been established by this AcT. 
(2) 
(3) The Society shall be managed and administered 9V ::. Board. - . 
The Board shall consist of-
a Chainnan, who shall be a barrister-at-Iaw of not less 
ch an 10 years' standing and who has knowledge of. and 
competence in, copyright matrers; 
a member of the Society and who shall be an author Dr 
composer of a work with wide experience and knowledge 
in copyright matters; 
a representative of the Prime Minister's Oftice; 
a representati ve of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade; 
a representative of the Ministry of Indusrry and 
Commerce; 
(f) a representative of the Ministry of TelecomJllunications 
and Information Technology; 
(g) a representati ve of the Ministry of Finance; 
(h) a representative of the Ministry of A.rts a.nd Cujture~ 
(i) 7 persons to be elected from among the members of the 
Society in such manner, as the Societym~y decide. 
(4) TheChainnan and the other members specified.insubsection 
3 (b) shall be appointed by the Minister. IP/N/lIMUS/CI1 
Page 32 
(5) The: members of tl-je Board specified in subsectIon (3) (c) to 
0) shall hold office for 3 years but shall be:. eligible for re-appointrnem or 
~-election, as the case may be. for a further period of 3 years. 
(6) Arevery meeting of the Board, the Chairman and 6 other 
members shal1 constitute a quorum. 
(7) Every member of the Board shall be paid by the Society such 
remuneration or allowance as the Board may determine.