Islam Question and Answer - Intellectual property rights

Tue 7/12/1430 - 24/11/2009

» What should be done if Eid coincides with Friday.

» The time for udhiyah (sacrifice).

» Guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) regarding Eid prayers.

» He forgot to fast the third day during Hajj and fasted it after he returned home.

» Ruling on Eid prayers .

» For how many people is the udhiyah sufficient?.

» Ruling on fasting the days of al-tashreeq.

» He wants to offer naafil prayers after praying Zuhr and ‘Asr in ‘Arafah.

» Is it haraam to buy and sell after the farewell tawaaf?.

» Refutation of those who say that women should not pray Eid in the mosque.

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Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Transactions » Business and Financial Transactions » Copyrights

Intellectual property rights

What do the Muslim fuqaha’ say about intellectual property rights such as trade names, trademarks, copyright and patents?

Firstly:

Trade names, trademarks, copyright and patents are all rights which belong exclusively to their owners. In modern times they have come to have a considerable financial value. These rights are recognized according to sharee’ah, and they should not be violated.

Secondly:

It is permissible to buy or sell a trade name or a trademark, and to transfer any of them in return for monetary compensation, so long as there is no cheating or deception.

Thirdly:

Copyright and patents are protected by sharee’ah. Their owners have the right to buy or sell them and nobody has the right to violate these rights. And Allaah knows best.

Qaraar Majlis al-Fiqh al-Islami al-Khaamis, 1409 AH