Foreword:
There is no official (PUBLIC) register for copyright and related (neighbouring) rights
in Bulgaria.
They are an unregistered rights (unlike patents, registered designs or trade marks).
So, there is no official action to take (no application to make, forms to fill in or fees to pay).
Copyright and rights related to copyright comes into effect immediately, as soon as something that can be protected is created and fixed in some way, eg on paper, on film, via sound recording, as an electronic record on the internet, etc.
Competent Institution:
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights law falls under
the competence of the Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Bulgaria(official website – http://mc.government.bg )
? Copyright and Neighbouring
Rights Directorate.
Contact:
Address: 17, Al. Stamboliyski Blvd., Sofia, 1000
Phone: +359 2 9400 821
There is
Department of Inspectorate of copyright.
Main activities – to supervise compliance with the Law on copyright and related right.
and
? Council for Protection of Intellectual Rights
Legal framework:
Under Bulgarian LAW ON THE COPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS, last amended SG. 32/28 Apr 2009 ( http://www.bamp-bg.org/en/2009-07-08-09-49-30/2009-07-09-12-29-03/92-law-on-copyright-and-neighbouring-rights-1993.html ),
The copyright in literary, artistic and scientific works shall arise for the author with the creation of the work.
Until proved otherwise author of the work shall be considered to be the person whose name or other identifying mark is indicated on the original, copies or specimen of the work and/or on their packing in the usual manner.
Copyright shall be protected for the life of the author and seventy years after his death.
Exceptions:
Shall not be considered subject matter of copyright:
1. normative and individual acts of state government bodies and official translations thereof:
2. ideas and concepts:
3. works of folklore:
4. news, facts, information and data.
Rights related to copyright
Unless proven otherwise owner of right shall be considered the person whose name, firm or other identifying mark are indicated or mentioned in the usual way on the respective record, copies and/or their packing, or in the course of broadcasting the programme.
The economic rights of the performers, producers of phonograms, producers of films and radio and television organisations may be exercised by organisations for collective administration of rights authorized by them.
Organisations for Collective Administration in Bulgaria:
The Bulgarian Association of Music Producers (BAMP)
( http://www.bamp-bg.org/en/index.html )
PROPHON
Business Software Alliance
How much doest it cost?
There’s is no cost for registering a copyright