FAQs
Which laws are in place to protect writers and publishers from losing money in the book industry?
Copyright and neighbouring rights act 2006 providing for works protected, moral rights, economic rights, publisher contracts etc.
How do I register my copyright? I want to be sure no other person takes advantage of my work without my permission.
Firstly registration of copyright is optional this means your work is nonetheless protected by default provided it has been reduced into a material form. However, should you want to register your copyright, you need to visit URSB at Georgian house to get copyright registration forms and be informed of the requisite fees. You need to take copies of your work to URSB for registration.
I have a business idea that I want to protect so I don’t lose it to big companies that are hungry for new ideas that help expand their services and market. Can I register it under copyright?
Ideas are not protected under Copyright. Should you need protection for your idea, you need to work with a law firm to draft for you a non-disclosure agreement which should be signed by the companies you get in touch with about your idea.
Where do I secure ISBNs for my books?
The National Library of Uganda is the agency responsible for issuing ISBNs and ISSNs. The library is also the legal deposit centre which means you are required to deposit copies of your books at the library for preservation, and research into Uganda’s publishing culture.
Where can I get help with contract negotiations with publishers?
We have encouraged author associations to come up with standard publisher agreements that you should use as your template for the negotiations. Look these up on the web sites of UTANA, FEMRITE etc. You are however advised to always have a written contract with the publisher.
What can writers and publishers do to protect themselves from piracy?
They should join URRO and support measures introduced to curb piracy such as the URRO hologram plus provide our Copyright inspectors with information about copyright infringements.
As a trader in books, can I buy a hologram from URRO for books from publishers that do not have an agent in Uganda?
Your application for a hologram should be accompanied by the requisite authorizations from the publisher for you to distribute the books in Uganda.
How about out of copyright books like Tom Sawyer? You will find the title published by several publishers. As a trader I look for the cheapest source. Would I be protected? Can I buy a hologram for such a work?
You need to attach copies of the authorizations from the source of the books. Out of copyright books sometimes have aspects of them still under copyright such as: notes, modernized language, could be a new translation etc.
What steps has the government taken to implement the copyright law?
Government has put in place the legal framework i.e. copyright law and; regulations 2010. They provide training for enforcement agencies including police and judiciary. In addition, government has licensed and supervises CMOs, appointed and trained copyright inspectors, launched holograms and established IP Police Unit.
Why is URRO licensing the photocopying of books?
To provide users with affordable legal access to protected works through a license that is given under one roof, at one fee for multiple authorisations. The licensing of photocopying helps authors to earn remuneration from reproductions of their works which they have not been earning in the past.
What about local rights holders that are not members of the associations or URRO? How are they catered for? We want to be sure that everyone is represented.
This is a challenging issue which URRO is trying to address by collecting fees and indemnifying universities so they refer any claim from both members and non-members to URRO for royalty settlements.
Our libraries collections are probably 99% foreign, how will local authors benefit in such a circumstance? Isn’t URRO just going to collect all these monies and remit it to foreign authors?
URRO is a member of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisation (IFRRO) and has therefore benefitted from signing bilateral agreements that enable us to keep the royalties collected by us for a certain period and invest such in local initiatives that help creativity to increase.
How can you persuade Ugandans that indeed licensing photocopying is a genuine cause and that the money collected will be remitted to beneficiaries?
First of all reproduction is one of the economic rights that authors expect to earn from. URRO exists to help authors to monetize this economic right by eliminating unauthorized and unremunerated copying of protected books. About remission of money to beneficiaries locally URRO is audited by its Board as well as the URSB. Internationally URRO aspires to meet all the milestones set out in the WIPO TAG (Transparency, Accountability and Good governance) compendium of excellence.
How can universities that don’t own photocopiers be held accountable for students copying?
Universities are the users of the works copied and the copyright law also provides that users need a licence to reproduce.
Will the license permit copying whole books?
Not at all. The license agreement has stipulations as to how much can be copied from a book, from an out of print book, journals etc. The purpose of the license is not to replace normal book sales but to enable users be able to access small portions of a work.