Violation of Copyright in Pakistan: Issues and Future Prospects

Abstract

This research delves into the key role of copyright protection in nurturing creativity, innovation, and economic growth within Pakistan's creative industries, shedding light on persistent challenges in the country's legal framework. Despite existing laws encompassing literature, visual arts, music, and film, the absence of precise definitions for originality and fair use has led to widespread confusion, impeding effective enforcement and discouraging legal recourse against infringers. The study scrutinizes the impact of international agreements, such as the Berne Convention and the WIPO Copyright Treaty, on Pakistan's copyright landscape, recognizing positive developments while pinpointing ongoing challenges like resource constraints, limited public awareness, and rampant piracy. The ramifications of copyright infringement on the creative sector are explored, emphasizing financial losses, diminished investment, and a decline in high-quality productions. The paper advocates for legal and policy reforms, encompassing clearer definitions and stringent enforcement mechanisms, alongside capacity building and public awareness initiatives to fortify copyright protection. Furthermore, it recommends international collaboration with internet service providers to combat online infringement, drawing insights from successful strategies in the US and the UK, exemplified by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The paper concludes by underscoring the imperative for robust copyright protection in Pakistan's creative industry, proposing actionable avenues for enhancement. The chosen qualitative research methodology aims to optimize outcomes by addressing previous limitations and synthesizing various research approaches for comprehensive insights.