The basic legal instrument governing copyright law in Pakistan is the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 as amended by the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000. Copyright Ordinance, 1962 Objects of copyright According to section 10 copyright subsists in literary works (including computer programmes ; excluding speeches) dramatic works musical works (i.e. any combination of melody and harmony or either of them, produced or redproduced graphically) records (i.e. any disc, tape, wire, perforated roll or other device in which sounds are embodied) artistic works (i.e. painting, sculpture, drawing, engraving or a photograph, an architectural work of art and any other work of artistic craftsmanship) cinematographic works and includes compilations (s. 3 subs. 3). Foreign works are covered by section 54 read with the International Copyright Order, 1968. Owner of copyright The first owner of copyright in general is the author (exceptions: works for hire, Government works; s. 13). The owner of copyright may assign the copyright (s. 14) or grant any interest in the copyright by license (s. 35). Licenses may also be granted by the Copyright Board to republish a work withheld from the public (s. 36). Registration of copyright with the Copyright Office is not obligatory, but if registration has taken place the Register of Copyrights gives prima facie evidence of the particulars entered therein (s. 42). Term of copyright Copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work published within the lifetime of the author subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year next following the year in which the author dies (p.m.a.; s. 18). Copyright in a cinematographic work, a record or a photograph subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year next following the publication of the work (s. 20). If a work is not published within 50 years after the death of the author or, the author being unknown, within 50 years after its creation, it falls into the public domain (s. 23) Meaning of copyright Copyright means inter alia the exclusive right to reproduce the work to publish the work to perform or broadcast the work to make any translation or adaption of the work (for details see s. 3). When an author assigns the rights in the intellectual property, he does not assign his moral rights (s. 62). Copyright infringement When copyright is infringed (s. 56), the owner of copyright (as well as the exclusive licensee) is entitled to certain