For several years, Morocco has engaged in a comprehensive reform of its legal framework concerning copyright. In response to the proliferation of online content and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the country is striving to balance the protection of creators, cultural development, and technological innovation.
Adopted in 2000, Law No. 2-00 concerning copyright and neighboring rights was the first major recognition of the rights of Moroccan creators. It distinguishes between two types of rights: economic rights, which pertain to the economic exploitation of the work, and moral rights, which protect the authorship and integrity of the creation. These rights are guaranteed for the lifetime of the author and for seventy years after their death.
Over the years, several amendments have strengthened this framework. The 2006 reform extended protection to digital creations, while the 2014 reform explicitly recognized audiovisual and photographic works. However, it was particularly from 2022 that legislation took a decisive turn with the modernization of the Moroccan Bureau of Copyright and Neighboring Rights (BMDA).
The BMDA, now governed by Law 25-19, is tasked with ensuring the collective management of rights, guaranteeing transparency in revenue distribution, and providing social support to creators. Its role has increased with the rise of digital platforms, where the distribution of musical, literary, or audiovisual works often occurs without prior authorization.
In 2025, an amendment project to the law aims to more precisely regulate the dissemination and sharing of online content. New provisions specifically address influencers, digital media, and streaming platforms. The text seeks to hold content distributors accountable while enhancing means of control and sanction in cases of copyright infringement.
On a criminal level, copyright infringements remain severely punished. Penalties can range from two to six months of imprisonment, accompanied by fines that could reach up to one hundred thousand dirhams. Judges also have the option to order the seizure or destruction of counterfeit copies and the materials used in their production.
However, beyond punishment, the true issue lies in awareness. The majority of Moroccan creators, especially in fields like design, music, web, and photography, are still unaware of the real scope of their rights. Many do not register their works or are ignorant of the deposit procedures.
Another major challenge is the digital transformation: the proliferation of generative artificial intelligences calls into question the very notion of authorship. Who holds the rights to a work created by an algorithm? The Moroccan law, like that of many countries, remains silent on this issue.
Digital sovereignty, data management, and the traceability of creations through blockchain technology could redefine the rules. Morocco, committed to an ambitious digital transformation policy, will need to integrate these questions into the upcoming revisions of its legal framework.
In summary, copyright in Morocco is experiencing a pivotal period. Between the protection of artists, the modernization of the BMDA, and adaptation to the digital economy, the country is moving towards a balanced model where creation is both free and protected.
Sources
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BMDA – Moroccan Bureau of Copyright and Neighboring Rights
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Law No. 2-00 concerning copyright and neighboring rights
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Law No. 25-19 concerning the BMDA
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Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication
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Government Council – Draft Law on the Regulation of Digital Content (2025)
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WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
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IRES Study on Digital Sovereignty in Morocco
