ARMENIA
Since December 1991
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Armenia is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
ARMENIA
Since June 2006, last amended in September 2013
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law of the Republic of Armenia on Copyright and Related Rights (Հայաստանի Հանրապետության օրենքը հեղինակային իրավունքի և հարակից իրավունքների մասին)
Armenia has a copyright regime under the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Copyright and Related Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, thereby limiting the lawful use of copyrighted works by others. Arts. 22–26 and 36 set out the exceptions, including quotation for research or informational purposes, educational use, private non-commercial reproduction of works (with certain exclusions), and short-term recordings by broadcasting organisations, among others.
It has been reported that a new Law on Copyright has been drafted and submitted for the government’s approval, although the legal text is not publicly available online.
It has been reported that a new Law on Copyright has been drafted and submitted for the government’s approval, although the legal text is not publicly available online.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241007171908/https://old.aipa.am/en/CopyrightLaw/
- https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15942
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250418050502/https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/armenia/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250903213708/https://www.mondaq.com/intellectual-property/1567144/copyright-comparative-guide
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ARMENIA
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2024
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Although Armenian legislation provides protection for intellectual property rights (IPR), enforcement remains challenging. It is reported that Armenia has the highest rate of unlicensed software in the region, with an estimated 79%, followed by the Republic of Moldova (77%) and Belarus (76%). While the Armenian government has made some progress in addressing IPR issues, further strengthening of enforcement mechanisms is reportedly necessary.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250418050502/https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/armenia/
- https://emerging-europe.com/analysis/throughout-cee-software-piracy-remains-an-issue/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220730105412/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/armenia/
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ARMENIA
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
2.59%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
49.11%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/ita_map_e.htm
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
FIJI
Since June 2024
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Customs Tariff (Budget Amendment) Act 2024
Concession Code 212, under the Customs Tariff Act 1986, provides an exemption from duty on the importation of goods by a private individual for personal use. According to Section 4 of the Customs Tariff (Budget Amendment) Act 2024, the de minimis threshold established in Concession Code 212 was amended, reducing the value from FJD 2,000 (approx. USD 900) to FJD 1,000 (approx. USD 450).
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241127005321/https://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Act-8-Customs-Tariff-Budget-Amendment-Act-2024.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221028001958/https://www.frcs.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SIG-2020-39-Concession-Code-212-Importation-of-Goods-for-Personal-Use-by-a-Private-Individual.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250617165511/https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-tw/ship-with-dhl/export-with-dhl/fiji-vat-2024
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FIJI
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Lack of comprehensive consumer protection law applicable to online commerce
Fiji lacks a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that applies to online transactions. Consumer protection is currently regulated under the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act 2010, which provides comparatively extensive safeguards, including provisions on misleading or deceptive conduct (Art. 75), unconscionable conduct (Art. 76), referral selling (Art. 87), unsolicited goods and services (Arts. 92–94), and conditions and warranties in consumer transactions (Arts. 111–118). However, it remains unclear whether the scope of this legislation extends to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://unctad.org/page/online-consumer-protection-legislation-worldwide
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250519211534/https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/dtlecde2024d6_en.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250522224626/https://www.laws.gov.fj/Acts/DisplayAct/2733#https://unctad.org/page/online-consumer-protection-legislation-worldwide
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FIJI
Since June 2017, in force since January 2018
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Fiji has signed and ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. This was implemented through the Electronic Transactions Act 2008, as amended by the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Act 2017.
Coverage Horizontal
FIJI
Since 2017
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Fiji has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce. This was implemented through the Electronic Transactions Act 2008, as amended by the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Act 2017.
Coverage Horizontal
FIJI
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Fiji has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
FIJI
Reported in 2025
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Presence of Internet shutdowns
Presence of Internet shutdowns
The indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 3 in Fiji for the year 2024. This corresponds to "Rarely but there have been a few occasions throughout the year when the government shut down domestic access to Internet."
Coverage Internet access
FIJI
Since August 2008
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Telecommunications Act 2008
According to the Fiji Trade Information Portal, all individuals and entities wishing to wishing to engage in commercial import activities must register with the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS) and hold a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN). In addition, for certain goods, including telecommunications equipment, companies must obtain a specific import licence. Pursuant to Art. 55.4 of the Telecommunications Act 2008, any person intending to import telecommunications equipment or apparatus, including radio-transmitting devices, other than equipment exempted by regulation, is required to secure an import permit from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF).
Coverage Telecom equipment
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250523175620/https://www.laws.gov.fj/Acts/DisplayAct/2930
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250812193801/https://www.fijitradeportal.gov.fj/en-gb/search-form/view/2
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250812193626/https://www.fijitradeportal.gov.fj/en-gb/site/display/215
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250302193344/https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/s444_e.pdf
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FIJI
Since August 2008, last amended in January 2021
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Telecommunications Act 2008
Under Section 55.4 of the Telecommunications Act, any person intending to import telecommunications equipment, including radio transmitting devices except those exempted by regulation, must obtain an import permit from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF). This requirement entails a type approval process to ensure that imported devices, such as mobile phones, comply with technical and safety standards, thereby preventing interference with networks, safeguarding public safety, and ensuring environmental compliance. Each device type is individually assessed through documentation and, where necessary, physical testing. Applicants must submit technical specifications, manufacturer authorisations, declarations and certificates of conformity with international standards, test reports from recognised laboratories (FCC, CE, Australia or ITU), and relevant type approval certifications from jurisdictions such as Australia or New Zealand. Following submission, TAF evaluates compatibility with local infrastructure and may request equipment samples before granting approval.
Coverage Telecom equipment
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250523175620/https://www.laws.gov.fj/Acts/DisplayAct/2930#
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250818220226/https://www.fijitradeportal.gov.fj/upload/files/form_1737294845.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250818220331/https://www.fijitradeportal.gov.fj/en-gb/search-measure/view/44
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250818220352/https://taf.org.fj/equipment-type-approval/
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FIJI
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place for copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Fiji's law and jurisprudence.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
FIJI
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place beyond copyright infringement
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Fiji's law and jurisprudence.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
FIJI
Since July 2010, last amended in December 2016
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Compulsory Registration of Customers for Telephone Services Act 2010
According to Art. 4 of the Compulsory Registration of Customers for Telephone Services Act 2010, before completing the sale of any fixed-line telephone or SIM card for a natural person, authorised resellers must collect the following information:
(i) full name and date of birth as stated on the birth certificate, including any known aliases;
(ii) permanent home address, or a local address if the purchaser is visiting Fiji;
(iii) a copy of a valid passport, Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) card, or other official photo identification; and
(iv) if the purchaser is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or legal guardian.
(i) full name and date of birth as stated on the birth certificate, including any known aliases;
(ii) permanent home address, or a local address if the purchaser is visiting Fiji;
(iii) a copy of a valid passport, Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) card, or other official photo identification; and
(iv) if the purchaser is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or legal guardian.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
