TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati says that his ministry is determined to find a solution for protecting copyrights in Iran.

He made the statement in the fifth seminar on Art, Literary and Relevant Rights Ownership held in Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Monday.

“Art and literary ownership is not just a mere legal issue, it is of great significance considering the cultural, social and economic aspects, and that is why we need to concentrate on it as a national topic,” Jannati said.

He continued, “We have witnessed an individual who spent his entire life producing an artwork only to have it imitated, leaving the person without any incentive to create a new one.

“We have also seen or heard that prominent figures have published their works in other countries since they can enjoy their (legal) support.

“Or that an Iranian publisher publishes a high-quality translation of a book, but within a short period of time a series of low-standard translations of the same book hit the market,” he explained.

He next added, “Many film and music producers are also dissatisfied with distributing their products.

Jannati also referred to the situation of computer game producers and Persian carpet designers and called it a catastrophe.

“These are all warnings indicating that we need to find a final solution for reviving Persian art,” he said.

He called the international legal framework the only solution.

He added, “We will not give an opinion on joining the Universal Copyright Convention of Berne; this is not the goal of the seminar.

“However, the Ministry as the custodian of culture pursues the issue from the legal and cultural aspects,” Jannati said, adding that the ministry is not the only organization to decide.

Jannati assured the art and literary figures that the best efforts are being made to help preserve their rights.

Iran has not yet joined the Universal Copyright Convention.

RM/YAW
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