Article 4: Conditions for recognition of copyright in computer programmes or databases

Copyright in computer programmes and databases arises by virtue of their creation. No registration or other formalities shall be required for the recognition and exercise of copyright in a computer programme or database.

Copyright in a database consisting of materials (works) which are not objects of copyright belongs to the persons who created the database.

Copyright in a database comprising materials that are the copyright of another person is recognised provided that the copyright in each of such materials is observed.

Copyright in each of the materials included in the database is retained. These materials may be used independently of such database.

Copyright in a database does not prevent others from independently selecting and organising the materials and works included in that database.

To notify others of their rights, the right holder may use a protection mark consisting of three elements: the letter "C" in a circle or in small parentheses; the name of the right holder; the year the program or database for Electronic Computing Machines was first published, from the time of the first publication of the program or database for Electronic Computing Machines.

Copyright on computer programmes or databases is not related to the ownership of their material storage medium. Any transfer of rights to the material storage medium does not entail the transfer of any copyright rights to the computer programmes or databases.