AMA will not allow broadcasting of movies without copyright
The Audiovisual Media Authority has been following with great attention the respect for the rights of broadcasting of Albanian and foreign films by television in Albania. From October 2016 AMA has carried out systematic monitoring, remarks and attention, and has taken administrative measures forward televisions broadcasting movies without contracts or agreements. Despite this, it is still found that there are problems with disrespect of the legislative framework and movie broadcasts without contracts or agreements.
Seeing as a legal obligation by all actors operating in the audiovisual market, the Authority notes that according to Law no. 97/2013 “On audiovisual medias in the Republic of Albania”, as amended, all televisions must broadcast films only in accordance with the terms and conditions for which they have signed contracts or agreements accompanied by a specific list of films.
As mentioned, we urge you to take immediate action to ensure that during your audiovisual activity you do not broadcast any Albanian or foreign movie, without first signing a contract or agreement with the real holder of their copyright.
We remind you that the broadcasting of movies without a contract or agreement is case for administrative misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 lekë. Repetition of the broadcasting more than 3 times is punished with a reduction of up to 50 percent of the license and / or authorization term. In the case of repetition, the violation is penalized with the removal of the license and / or authorization.
In addition, AMA notifies you that it is reviewing all agreements, contracts or authorizations linked between televisions and other subjects, Albanian or foreign, with aiming at the complete verification of all titles of films that these companies claim to own and provide for broadcasting in Albania’s territory. For this reason, we invite you to pay attention to signing any agreement or film copyrights contract and to make sure that the subject with which you sign these agreements, or the contract actually owns the rights, accompanied by movie titles, issued by their producer.
AMA will continue to monitor the broadcast of each film by televisions broadcasters and will take all measures provided by the law for any case of violation of film rights, from sanctioning to a fine until removal of the license / authorization.
Audiovisual Media Authority
Tirana, on 5th of May 2017
