Copyright registration of creative intellectual property (IP) like literary works, music and computer software remains lower than expected in Bangladesh mainly due to unawareness, according to stakeholders.
They say copyright registration with the authorities concerned is crucial to ensure that authors or producers get proper financial returns for their creative productions.
It is also necessary to avoid legal hassle in some cases.
On the one hand, many people infringe on the copyrights of such IPs, while many owners do not know how to properly safeguard them through official documentation.
Currently, such copyright regime here is administered in light of the Copyright Bill 2023.
The Bangladesh Copyright Office (BCO), a quasi-judiciary organisation, is responsible for receiving, scrutiny and registration of applications.
Producers of creative works have got 2,199 copyright registrations in 2023 and 2,132 in 2022, according to data available with the BCO.
However, the government agency registered a higher number of applications in previous years as 2,573 copyrights were approved in 2020 and 3,344 in 2021.
Acknowledging limited awareness among stakeholders, copyrights registrar Md Daud Miah told the FE that his office has become more focused on registering copyrights following due process.
The data may hint a poor number of registrations, but the number of applications is much higher, he said.
The applications that do not follow due process ultimately result in negative settlements.
"Still, people are unaware of their rights over their intellectual products. Even we have to settle many applications since they don't apply in full compliance due to their limited knowledge of this fact."
According to Mr Daud, his office has been implementing different programmes to raise awareness through seminars and campaigns.
"The unavailability of adequate fund is a major setback we face in this regard," said the official.
The copyright office now provides the applicants with opportunities to apply both online and offline making it easier.
The copyright office registers literary works, drama, music, arts, cinematography, radio, television and digital platform broadcast, webpage, software and transferred document of intellectual property.
The commercial rights of intellectual property are transferable.
Sources said the creative content-related copyright issue became a much-talked-about one in 2020 when writer Sheikh Abdul Hakim filed a complaint of copyright breach against Sheba Prokashani founder Qazi Anwar Hussain with the copyright office.
The issue later moved to the Supreme Court bringing final victory for Mr Hakim.
Social media and digital content platforms like Facebook and YouTube provide copyright protection using their own algorithms, which lessened the procedure for many.
"The platforms use algorithms and artificial intelligence-dependent data analysis to safeguard copyrights," said Abrar Ali Khan, a digital marketing and content analyst.
Yet, it is recommended for a content creator to register their digital content with the government office in own country, he said.
"Unless an individual doesn't properly register IP, s/he might incur economic loss and face legal battle as well," said barrister Hamidul Misbah, founder of the Bangladesh IP Forum.
Although it is not mandatory, it is better to do so to ensure one's legal rights, he said.
Mr Misbah, however, underscored the need for strengthening the capacity of the government authorities concerned.
"Despite there is opportunity to submit online application, an applicant has to submit the printed paper documents also, which is a hassle for them."
A software developer has to submit a CD (compact disc) copy. Such procedure is obsolete nowadays as there is hardly any use of CD, according to him.
"Now, raising awareness and facilitating process are crucial for the development of a better IP ecosystem," observed Mr Misbah.
Alongside creative IPs, according to sources, industrial IPs like patents and trademarks are administered by a regulatory body under industries ministry.
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