الحماية المدنية للتطبيقات الذكية في التشريعات الإماراتية

Abstract EN

Introduction and study objectives: Nowadays, smart applications have become a national asset: the market value of some of these applications exceeded $1 trillion which makes their promotion and ultimate legal protection of paramount importance.

Method used: Research uses analytical, deductive approach whereby theories adopted for existing, proven and effective rules are applied on new parts using specific steps: introductions and conclusions.

Findings: Research sums up with that legal protection of smart applications is a new issue which requires legislations as well as amendments be introduced to Intellectual Property Law as these inventions or works are not only distinct from traditional ones but also from computer software.

Presently, a rapid pace of inventions is witnessed, particularly in the technical area and in the future we will also be faced by artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality which urges the need for legislations to keep pace.

Research contributions: among the recommendations is the need to enact specific provisions concerning smart applications, provisions other than the general rules specified in Copyright Act, as these smart applications differ from traditional works in many aspects.

Recommendations also include that protection of smart applications should not be limited to a specific period after which they enter the public domain as is the case with traditional works.

In addition, no single copy should be made of a smart application for scientific purposes or to be kept in a public library: owners retain the property right to their smart applications, and this right is exclusive and continuing.