Protect your creative works by registering them with the copyright office of Chile. Once registered, you can enforce your legal rights over the copyrighted material and prevent others from reproducing, distributing, or using it without permission.
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Copyright is a legal framework that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works, including literary, artistic, and scientific creations. This protection covers a wide range of works such as books, music, films, software, databases, video games, visual art, photography, architectural designs, and even choreography. In Chile, copyright protection is governed by the Intellectual Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Intelectual, No. 1336), which provides the legal basis for the rights of authors and creators. This law ensures that creators have control over the use and distribution of their works, preventing unauthorized copying, distribution, and other forms of exploitation.
In Chile, not all creations are eligible for copyright protection. For example, ideas, concepts, procedures, or methods are not copyrightable because copyright only protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. Additionally, works that have not been fixed in a tangible medium, such as performances that haven’t been recorded or written down, are also not eligible for copyright protection. Official texts of a legislative, administrative, or judicial nature, along with their official translations, are excluded from copyright protection as well. Daily news reports and other items of mere information are considered public domain and therefore are not protected under copyright law. Understanding what is not copyrightable in Chile is crucial for creators to ensure their works are properly protected under the law.
Under the Berne Convention, to which Chile is a signatory, copyright protection in Chile is automatic as soon as a work is created and fixed in a tangible medium. This means that copyright registration is not strictly necessary to obtain protection in Chile. Your work is protected the moment it is created, without the need for any formal registration.
Although copyright registration in Chile is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Registering your copyright provides official proof of ownership, which can be invaluable in legal disputes over copyright infringement. It simplifies the process of enforcing your rights in court and can make it easier to claim damages or stop unauthorized use of your work. In Chile, copyright registration is handled by the Department of Intellectual Rights (Departamento de Derechos Intelectuales, DDI), which is part of the National Library of Chile. By registering your work with the DDI, you solidify your legal claim to your creation, making it easier to defend your rights both nationally and internationally.
In Chile the processing time to register a copyright is approximately 2 weeks from the filing date.
To register a copyright in Chile, you must meet certain requirements and follow a specific process through the Department of Intellectual Rights (DDI). First, you need to submit a formal application, which includes detailed information about the work, such as the title, type of work, and the author’s or authors' names. You must also provide a physical or digital copy of the work being registered. In addition, you will need to present proof of identity (for individuals) or proof of legal representation (for companies) along with the application. Finally, a registration fee must be paid, which varies depending on the type of work and the registration service requested. Once submitted, the DDI will review the application, and upon approval, the copyright will be officially registered, providing the legal benefits associated with registration.
Software is considered a protected work under Chile’s Intellectual Property Law, classified similarly to literary works. This means that the source code, object code, and associated documentation of software are protected by copyright in Chile. When registering software for copyright protection, it is essential to provide the Department of Intellectual Rights (DDI) with a detailed description of the software, including its functionalities and the underlying code if necessary. The registration of software grants the creator or owner the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and modify the software, as well as to prevent unauthorized use by third parties. It’s important to note that software piracy is a significant concern globally, and registering your software in Chile helps provide legal grounds to combat unauthorized copying or distribution. Additionally, software developers and companies are encouraged to include licensing agreements and terms of use when distributing software to ensure compliance with their intellectual property rights.
Yes, in Chile, it is possible and advisable to register contracts related to copyright, such as copyright licenses. Registering these contracts with the Department of Intellectual Rights (DDI) provides legal certainty and makes the terms of the agreement publicly accessible. This can be particularly important in cases of disputes over the scope or validity of a license. The registration of copyright licenses or transfer contracts helps ensure that all parties involved have their rights protected and that the contract's terms are enforceable under Chilean law.
Understanding the duration of copyright protection in Chile is essential for managing and protecting your intellectual property. For literary, artistic, and scientific works owned by an individual, the copyright duration lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years after their death. This extensive period ensures long-term protection for the author's heirs. When these works are owned by a company, the copyright protection is valid for 70 years from the date of publication.
For audiovisual works, collective works, and works of applied art, if owned by an individual, the protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years after their death. If these works are owned by a company, the copyright duration in Chile is 70 years from the date of first publication. Photographic works and works of applied art, whether owned by an individual or a company, are protected for 70 years from the date of creation.
Works published anonymously or under a pseudonym are protected for 70 years from the date of first publication. If the author’s identity becomes known, the protection is extended to their lifetime plus 70 years. If owned by a company, the copyright duration remains 70 years from the date of first publication.
Moral rights in Chile are strongly protected. Authors have moral rights that are perpetual, inalienable, and non-transferable. This means that even if the economic rights are sold or transferred, the author retains the right to be credited and to object to any distortion, mutilation, or other modification of their work. Additionally, Chile is a member of several international treaties related to copyright, including the Berne Convention and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty. This membership means that works protected by copyright in Chile also enjoy protection in many other countries around the world.
