Abu Dhabi Language Centre Tightens Copyright Rules to Protect Authors

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), a division of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has introduced a new framework to improve copyright protection and intellectual property standards within the regional publishing industry. The initiative focuses on securing authors' rights and standardising legal agreements between writers and publishers. Legal Framework for Publishers The ALC announced that the updated standards will be applied across its various publishing arms, including the Kalima Reading Club and the Esdarat project. These measures enforce strict documentation requirements for the transfer of rights, ensuring that Arabic-language content is protected under UAE federal laws governing intellectual property. The system requires all publishing contracts to specify duration, geographic scope, and royalty structures to prevent legal disputes. The centre is also expanding its digital transformation efforts, integrating blockchain or digital tracking technologies to monitor the distribution of licensed works. This shift aims to reduce piracy, which remains a primary challenge for the Middle East’s book market. By formalising these processes, the ALC intends…