An Analysis On Copyright Systems and Its Effective Response to Challenges Passed by Digitalizing and Internet In Uganda .

ABSTRACT The study analysed the copyright systems and its efj(xtive re!>ponse to challenges oassed hy digitalizing and imernet in Uganda, it examined. the legal framework used on copyright protection in Uganda, examined the institutional.fi·ameworkfor copyright protection and use in Uganda and examined the challenges of digitalizing and imernet on copyright .\:vstems in Uganda. The study based on five chapters where chaprer one covered the introduction. Background of the study, Problem Statement, O~jecthw,· of the sturty, Research Questions. Scope of the study, Literature Review, and Methodology, chapter two discussed the legal ji·wnem>rk used on copyright protection in Uganda, chapter three rma(vsed the institurirmalji·wnell'ork fi>r copyright protection and use in Uganda, chapter four di.I'CitSsed rhe challenges r;f' digitnlbng and intemet on copyright systems in Uganda and chapterfive 1vhich covered the concht.l'ro/7.\' and recommendations. The study used a doctrinal research metlwd as oppo1·ed ro empirical and ft was conducted using written sources such as text books, joumals. reports, arttcles, legislotions. internet sources on the subject as well as case laws. The srudy:found out that there [.s· need to protect the right of access to information, especially to ensure that any reform of' copyright lall's· would permit use of ':fi·eely available" material, including that on the Interne/ without. inMnging copyright. It is therefore pertinent to consider while copyright is an access barrier to public information owing to the problematic Articles 7 and 8 of The Copyright and Neigh/wring Act. 2006, the real and urgent access problems lie with other laws. especially hn1·s regulating access to sensitive government il?formation. Secondly, practical problems associated 1rith the mismanagement of records and information in public -''?rvices rewuins the most pressing burrier to access and use of public information in Uganda. It was ,Fnmd our ji·om the stud\' that copyright is protected under different legislations and based on the fimdamenrol principle of balance the balance between the interests and needs ()f the public and !hose o{ creators. Thi.s extrapolates to a balance between consumers versus innovators; public versus proprietor\' rights; socialism versus capitalism. When the legal systems that underpin intellectual propert;· no longer maintain the correct balance or, even worse, neglect il, then re.specljor those .systetll" and intellectual property erodes hence addressing this substilUiion o{the f(mndations and principles of copyright by rules imposed by mere technical facts failing ro give an adequate 1111