Iran’s outdated copyright law and government’s disregard vis-à-vis a strong and effective legal infrastructure have hindered online content production.
Head of ICT Commission of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Mohammad Reza Talaei in an open letter published on the chamber’s official website wrote, “Government bodies have introduced several regulations regarding content production. Almost all of them are flawed and do nothing but add new layers to the cumbersome bureaucracy and impede normal business.”
In recent years, local content production has been on the government agenda. President Hassan Rouhani and his men have often called on local businesses to produce “high quality content compatible with local values”.
According to Talaei “The lack of effective legal infrastructure has made locals reluctant to invest in content production.”
Earlier in October, the secretary of Iran High Council of Cyberspace, Abolhassan Firouzabadi censured the government and Majlis over the same issue. “In order not to hamper or hinder businesses, the government has seemingly ignored the legal void.” He believes that it is high time for the authorities to address the problem.
Firouzabadi urged the judiciary to introduce a legal framework for enforcing copyright laws.
“The judiciary should take effective measures to protect original works of developers and content producers and put an end to online piracy.”
Unless the authorities take necessary measures, and address the legal void, a substantial part of the economy will be hampered, he was quoted as saying.
His comments have also been echoed by the Telecoms Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. He says, “Iran’s outdated copyright law has hindered the ICT sector.”
Local copyright laws date back to half a century and are simply unfit for modern-day business. The ministry is poised to propose a new copyright bill, he minister has said.
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