Copyright

I am so proud to own copyright of an MLM compensation plan I recently created (see the certificate below). The testimonial letter reads: “This idea is protected by Section 2 (a) of the Namibian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, Act 6 of 1994 as amended. Any unauthorised modification, translation, reproduction and any other exploitation of this idea for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.”

Namibia is a signatory to many copyright conventions and treaties, including the Berne Convention of 1886, World Intellectual Property Organisation 1967 (WIPO) and the World Trade Related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement 1994 (TRIPS). This means having something copyrighted in Namibia, it is protected in other member states as well. China is not a member of any of these treaties and probably that’s why they can make so many copied products.

I believe as a business person, one should create and maintain intellectual property, because it will be the only thing that sets you apart from other businesses. Although I have 100% equity in my business, I copyrighted the business concept to myself rather than to the business body. In case I decide to sell the business, the idea should continue to be mine and whoever buys the business will still owe me royalties. Under the law, the copyright belongs to me for life and additionally 50 years after death. I can licence it to someone if I decide to or I can pass it on to someone through inheritance Will.

The Namibia Ministry of Information and Communication Technology grants the copyright. You apply with the copy of the work you created, as well as a declaration that the copyright work is original work. The declaration is done before the commissioner of oaths (I swore before the Namibian Police).

The copyright owner or his /her exclusive licensee can take legal action against the infringer who violated the work. The owner should provide available evidence of infringement in any format possible as well as the original copyright certificate that proves that he/she indeed owns copyright of the infringed work.