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This study explores the intersection of South African copyright law and the drafting of contracts, focusing on the unique legal challenges faced by legal practitioners in effectively protecting intellectual property within the contractual context. The research investigates the application of copyright principles to written contracts, highlighting the need to safeguard the intellectual contributions of contract drafters and ensure clarity regarding copyright ownership and transfer of copyright ownership.
The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of a relatively under-researched area, the copyright protection of legal work products, particularly in the context of industries such as music, film, publishing, and software development. Existing literature often overlooks the dual role of contracts as functional legal instruments, as well as original works potentially deserving copyright protection. This research fills that gap, offering insights into how statutory provisions, case law, and practical drafting strategies can align to mitigate disputes and protect intellectual property.
Using a doctrinal methodology, the study analyses legal principles derived from the South African Copyright Act, case law, international law and academic literature. The findings reveal a disconnect between theoretical copyright protections and their practical application, exacerbated by the use of standardised forms, templates and clauses, and digital technologies. The research highlights the need for explicit contractual provisions to define copyright ownership, address digital challenges, and protect the originality of work products.
By proposing mechanisms to bridge the gap between law and practice, this study contributes to the broader discourse on intellectual property protection, offering actionable guidelines for legal practitioners. It emphasises the importance of comprehensive, context-sensitive contract drafting to uphold the rights of both creators and legal drafters, ensuring fairness and innovation in creative industries.