Imam Khamenei – Copyright

Q1. Is it permissible for authors, translators, and artists to claim to be remunerated for the time, money, and effort they put in such works?

A: It is within their right to demand from the publisher whatever they like for delivering their first original manuscript or piece of work to the publisher.

Q2. Suppose that the writer, translator, or artist received a fee for the first edition of their piece of work, and, at the same time made a provision that they are to be given a share in the proceeds from selling the subsequent edition. Are they justified in demanding a share of the proceeds of subsequent sales? And how should the money, received in such a way, be treated?

A: In case the owner of the work has made a provision in the contract reached for delivering the original one that he should receive an amount of money for the subsequent editions, or the law requires so, then there is no objection to receive it and the publisher is obliged to observe the provision.

Q3. Suppose that the author did not specify anything regarding the subsequent editions, is it permissible for the publisher to reprint the material with neither his permission nor paying him for it?

A: If the contract signed between the two parties is confined to printing the first edition only, it is a caution to preserve his right and ask his permission for the subsequent editions.

Q4. Is it permissible for the owner of a photocopier to photocopy some material, on the pretext that they can be of benefit to the believers, without the permission of the owner of the printed matter? And would the ruling be different if the owner of the photocopier knew that the owner of the printed matter would object to people copying his material?

A: As a matter of caution, one should not take the initiative to photocopy the material without the permission of its owner.

Ayatollah Sistani – Copyright

Q1: What is the ruling on copying computer software, movies, audio CDs and other such things, which bear the wording “All Rights Reserved” or “Copyright”?

Answer: Copyrights must be respected; it is not permissible, if it is against the law (obligatory precaution).

Q2: A lot of books, DVD and software have copyright on them. What is the ruling if I photocopy a book or duplicate a DVD or software for my personal use?

Answer: It is permissible, per se, to make personal use of such copyrighted books and software.

Q3: Can I use cracked apps , which I have not done myself?

Answer: If someone else has cracked the app, you can use it.

Q4: Is it permissible to sell pirated programs, DVDs, and software?

Answer: If it is against the law, it is not permissible, but you can use them.