The primary function of the Copyright Office, overseen by the Registrar of Intellectual Property, is to handle matters related to the registration of copyright and related rights. This includes receiving and processing applications for registration4, maintaining a register of these rights, and issuing certificates of registration as proof .

You should submit your application for the registration of copyright or related rights to the Registrar of Copyright at the Copyright Office, Office of the Administrator and Registrar General, Roxy building, Walpole street, Freetown.

The Registrar of Copyright has several key responsibilities, including:

Publishing notices of applications for copyright and related rights registration in the Gazette.

Entering the name of the applicant in the register as the author or owner of the copyright if no objection is lodged and the Registrar is satisfied with the information provided.

Issuing certificates of registration as proof of copyright ownership.

Receiving and processing objections against copyright registration. The Registrar will notify the applicant of any objection and may convene a meeting between the applicant and the objector to address the concerns. The Registrar has the authority to refuse registration if satisfied with the reasons for the objection.

Registering assignments or transfers of copyright or related rights upon application.

Registering licenses for copyright or related rights upon application.

Maintaining a register containing information about the owner, particulars of assignments, transfers or licenses, any limitations, and the date of publication or when copyright protection begins.

Requiring applicants to furnish an address for service in Sierra Leone.

Receiving annual returns of accounts from the Collecting Society of Sierra Leone.

Receiving annual reports from the Collecting Society of Sierra Leone.

In consultation with the Minister, conducting inspections of the records and facilities of the Collecting Society.

Appointing copyright inspectors for the purpose of enforcing the Copyright Act and Regulations. These inspectors are issued a certificate of authority by the Registrar.

Being responsible for the sale of security devices designated for protected works.

In consultation with the Minister, distributing levies in respect of security devices.

Through the Copyright Administrator, fixing dates to hear parties in copyright disputes and the Copyright Office charging a dispute settlement fee.

Yes, the Registrar has oversight responsibilities for the Collecting Society of Sierra Leone, which is established under the Copyright Act 2011. The Collecting Society is required to submit annual returns of its accounts and annual reports to the Registrar and the Minister. Furthermore, the Registrar, in consultation with the Minister, has the power to inspect the records and facilities of the Collecting Society. The Registrar also handles applications for the registration of collecting societies.

The Copyright Office plays a role in enforcing copyright by appointing copyright inspectors who are authorized to enforce the Copyright Act and Regulations. The Copyright Office is also involved in the management of security devices that must be affixed to protected works for commercial distribution. Additionally, the Copyright Administrator within the Copyright Office is involved in the settlement of copyright disputes.

A person who has an interest in various types of works can apply to the Copyright Office for registration. These works include literary works, artistic works, musical works, sound recordings, audiovisual works, choreographic works, derivative works, programme-carrying signals, and computer software and programmes.

You should apply to the Copyright Office for the registration of your interest in a work as a copyright or related right at the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General, Roxy Building, Walpole Street, Freetown.

The purpose of registration is for keeping evidence of ownership of a copyright or related right, for the identification of a work and author, or for the maintenance of a record of a copyright or related right.

An application must state the following:

The title of the work sufficient to identify it.

A description of the nature of the work (e.g., literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, sound recording, etc.).

The name, nationality, and registered address of the author and owner of the copyright.

The date of birth of the author.

If the author is deceased, the date of death.

The year in which creation of the work was completed.

The date and year of publication, if the work has been published.

The names and addresses of copyright claimants such as assignee, transferee, or licensee, if any.

If the registration is for a derivative work, a statement of the pre-existing work.

The date and signature of the applicant.

Yes, as an applicant, you need to deposit a copy of your work with your application. The specific requirements for deposit vary depending on the type of work:

For a book, pamphlet, sheet of music, map, chart, or plan, two copies of the best edition of the work as first published.

For a contribution to a collective work, one complete copy of the best edition of the collective work.

For a lecture, sermon, address, or recitation, a copy of the text.

For a newspaper, magazine, or similar periodical, one copy of the issue or edition containing the work.

For a group of contributions to a newspaper, magazine, or similar periodical, each work should be identified separately in the application, along with the date of first publication.

In certain circumstances, the Copyright Office may permit the deposit of photographs or illustrations instead of actual copies if the Copyright Administrator believes that depositing two copies may cause hardship to the applicant.

The Registrar will publish a notice of your application in the Gazette. You will be responsible for paying the fees for this publication.

Yes, any person who wishes to object to the registration can lodge a written notice of objection with the Registrar within 60 days from the date of publication of your application in the Gazette. The notice must clearly state the reasons for the objection.

The Registrar will, as soon as practicable, notify you (the applicant) of the objection and convene a meeting between you and the objector (or their agents if they cannot attend in person) to address the reasons for the objection. The Registrar may also request additional information or documents from any person to help make a decision. If the Registrar is satisfied with the reasons for the objection, the copyright will not be registered.

If no objection is lodged within 60 days from the date of publication in the Gazette, and if the Registrar is satisfied that all necessary information has been provided, the Registrar will enter your name in the register as the author or owner of the copyright.

The Registrar will issue you a certificate of registration as proof of registration.

The register will include:

The name, trade or business address, and description of the owner.

Particulars of the assignment, transfer, or license (if applicable).

A statement showing any limitations to the scope of the assignment, transfer, or license.

The date of publication or the date at which copyright protection begins.

If the Registrar is not satisfied as to your right to the copyright or related right, they will not enter your name in the register and will inform you in writing of the reasons for this decision.

Yes, there is an application fee for the registration of copyright or related rights, although the specific amount is detailed in the Finance Act of 2024. There are also fees for the publication of the notice in the Gazette.

Yes, you must furnish the Registrar with an address for service in Sierra Leone. If you are outside Sierra Leone and have appointed an agent, the agent’s address will be considered your address for all matters related to the registration.

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