CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Bah, Aisha Bounanya |
|---|---|
| Title | The Implementation And Enforcement Of Copyright Law In Sierra Leone: A Critical Analysis Of Trips Compliance And Judicial Enforcement Mechanisms |
| Summary | This study was embarked on to critically examine the implementation and enforcement of copyright law in Sierra Leone, with a focus on the country’s compliance with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the protection of creators’ rights under the Copyright Act 2011. Through a doctrinal and comparative legal analysis, the study evaluates how international copyright norms have been incorporated into national legislation and explores the institutional, legal, and socio-economic challenges that hinder effective enforcement. Findings reveal that while Sierra Leone’s copyright legislation aligns substantially with international obligations, enforcement mechanisms remain underdeveloped. Institutional weaknesses, such as the non-operational status of the Sierra Leone Copyright Society (SILECS), lack of judicial expertise, limited public awareness, and widespread piracy, undermine the practical effectiveness of the law. The judiciary and enforcement agencies lack technical capacity, and creators often lack the resources to pursue legal remedies. Furthermore, the absence of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms restricts access to justice for rightsholders. Comparative insights from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa demonstrate that meaningful copyright protection in Africa is possible with strong institutions, public engagement, and integrated enforcement strategies. The study however concludes that Sierra Leone must go beyond legislative compliance by investing in institutional reform, legal capacity-building, public education, and policy integration to realize copyright’s full potential as a tool for economic growth, innovation, and cultural development. |
| Supervisor | Botta, Marco |
| Department | Legal Studies LLM |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/bah_aisha.pdf |
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