As-Salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaah -

 

In a new Q&A at www.bakkah.net - Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool explains the legitimacy of intellectual property rights in Islaam and how they are indeed protected by the Sharee'ah.  Furthermore, he offers advice to those who oppress their brothers by infringing on these rights.

 

From his answer:

 

"...What do you say about someone who approaches the hard work of another person, something that he worked on for months, for long days and many hours, and he takes this work exactly as it is, and places it on his website, even without any reference or mention of the owner of the work!?

Is this something permissible? Is this something befitting?

The answer which is apparent: It is not permissible and he has done an action that requires that he hasten to:

a) Make tawbah (repentence) from this action..."

Click here to read more of his answer:

http://www.bakkah.net/interactive/q&a/aamb080-copyrights-translations-intellectual-property.htm

We have also included the original 'Arabic audio of this Q&A for further benefit.  May Allaah reward you well.

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