Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Tightens IP Rules to Combat Book Piracy

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has implemented new measures to tighten copyright protection and intellectual property (IP) standards across the regional publishing sector. The initiative addresses the rise in unauthorized digital distribution and piracy affecting Arabic-language literary works. Legal Framework and Publisher Support The ALC is working with legal authorities to enforce existing UAE federal laws regarding intellectual property. These regulations establish clear penalties for copyright infringement, covering both physical book printing and digital e-book formats. The move aims to protect the financial interests of authors and publishing houses while ensuring that legal distribution channels remain viable in a digital-first market. Central to this effort is the provision of legal guidance for creators. The ALC is facilitating workshops and resources to help local publishers navigate international patent and trademark systems. By securing these rights, the UAE seeks to increase the volume of original Arabic content available globally and reduce the circulation of pirated materials that currently…