Registration of Software and Databases

Publication date: 14.09.2025

Computer programs (software) and databases are among the most important intellectual property objects in the digital age. Their legal protection in Uzbekistan is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Legal Protection of Computer Programs and Databases” (1994, as amended in 2024–2025), as well as the general provisions of the Civil Code and the Law “On Copyright and Related Rights.” Unlike patentable objects, the registration of programs and databases is of a declarative nature and serves as an additional guarantee of rights protection but is not a condition for the emergence of copyright.

Registration of computer programs and databases is an administrative procedure that:

does not create copyrights but merely records existing ownership;
serves as proof of authorship and proprietary rights of the right holder;
ensures publicity of information about the work and the right holders through publication in the official bulletin of the Ministry of Justice.

Thus, registration performs a rights-protection and evidentiary function, facilitating dispute resolution and protection against unfair use.

Subjects Entitled to Registration

The right to register belongs to:

authors and their successors (heirs);
legal and natural persons possessing proprietary rights under a contract (license, assignment);
foreign persons — on an equal basis with residents of Uzbekistan or under reciprocity.

Registration can be carried out personally by the right holder or through a representative.

Registration Procedure

The law provides detailed regulation of the registration process:

Filing the application with the Ministry of Justice through the Intellectual Property Center (electronically or in writing).
Examination of the application within 10 days for completeness and compliance with the rules.
Entering information into the State Register of software products or databases.
Issuing the certificate of official registration with a unified QR code.
Publication of the information in the official bulletin.

The applicant has the right to clarify and supplement the materials before publication. In case of refusal, an official document is issued, which may be appealed.

Legal Significance of Registration

The registered information in the register is considered valid until proven otherwise. The presence of a certificate simplifies:

protection of rights in court;
registration of rights transfer agreements;
international registration and cross-border commercialization.

State Duty and Administrative Regulation

A state duty is charged for registration, the amount and payment procedure of which are established by law. The administrative regulation of registration is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, ensuring uniformity of procedures.

International Aspect

Uzbekistan participates in international treaties (the Berne Convention, the WIPO Copyright Treaty), which allows right holders to protect their programs and databases abroad. Article 10 of the Law expressly provides for the possibility of registration in other countries or international registration.

Registration of computer programs and databases in Uzbekistan is an effective tool for strengthening legal protection, especially in the context of the digital economy and cross-border software circulation. It plays a key role in the commercialization of intellectual results, reduces the risk of disputes, and creates a foundation for the development of the national ICT industry.

Stages of Registration of Computer Programs and Databases

Stage	Actions	Participants	Terms	Result / Document	Legal Basis
1. Preparation of application	Preparation of a set of documents: application, description of the program/DB, source code or fragments, information about the right holders, receipt of state duty payment.	Right holder (author, legal entity, representative)	Before filing	Complete package of documents	Art. 9 of the Law; Administrative Regulation
2. Submission of application	Submission electronically or in writing to the Ministry of Justice (Intellectual Property Center).	Right holder or representative	At the applicant’s discretion	Registration of incoming number	Art. 9 of the Law
3. Formal examination	Verification of the presence of all documents and their compliance with the established requirements.	Intellectual Property Center under the Ministry of Justice	10 working days	Conclusion of compliance/non-compliance	Art. 9 of the Law
4. Correction of deficiencies (if necessary)	Supplement, clarify, or correct application materials before publication of information.	Right holder	Upon request of the Center or at own initiative	Updated application	Art. 9 of the Law
5. Entry into the State Register	Inclusion of information about the program or database in the relevant register.	Ministry of Justice	After positive examination	Entry in the State Register	Art. 9 of the Law
6. Issuance of certificate	Generation of electronic certificate with a unified QR code, sending to the applicant.	Ministry of Justice	Immediately after registration	Official registration certificate	Art. 9 of the Law
7. Publication of information	Publication of information about registered objects in the official bulletin of the Ministry of Justice.	Ministry of Justice	After registration	Publication	Art. 9 of the Law
8. Registration of contracts (at the parties’ request)	Registration of agreements on the alienation of proprietary rights.	Parties to the contract, Ministry of Justice	As necessary	Entry in the register about the contract	Art. 9 of the Law
9. Appeal of refusal (in case of negative decision)	Filing a complaint or appeal to the court.	Right holder	Within procedural terms	Decision to cancel the refusal/confirm refusal	CPC, EPC, Art. 9 of the Law

This table can serve as a practical guide for lawyers and developers, as well as an illustration in a scientific article or training manual.

Types of Liability for Violations of Rights to Computer Programs and Databases

№	Type of Violation	Violator	Type of Liability	Measures / Sanctions	Legal Basis
1	Illegal reproduction of a computer program or DB (pirate copying)	Natural and legal persons	Civil	Compensation for damages or payment of compensation (from 20 to 1000 basic calculation values); destruction of counterfeit copies; seizure of equipment	Arts. 14–15 of the Law; Art. 65 of the Law “On Copyright”; Arts. 14, 204 CC
2	Illegal distribution (sale, rental, online posting)	Natural and legal persons	Civil, Administrative	Termination of distribution, seizure of copies, administrative fine under CAO, compensation to right holder	Art. 15 of the Law; Art. 62 of the Law “On Copyright”; Art. 155 CAO
3	Publication under another’s name (plagiarism)	Natural persons	Civil, Criminal	Restoration of authorship, compensation for damages; criminal liability (fine, corrective labor, imprisonment)	Art. 15 of the Law; Art. 149 CC
4	Unauthorized use of works-for-hire (created in the course of employment)	Employer, third parties	Civil	Return of proprietary rights, payment of remuneration to the author	Art. 8 of the Law; Art. 34 of the Law “On Copyright”
5	Breach of license agreements (exceeding scope of use, installing on more machines than allowed)	User (legal or natural person)	Civil	Termination of agreement, recovery of damages, penalties	Arts. 7, 11 of the Law; Art. 42 of the Law “On Copyright”
6	Evasion of state duty payment for registration or provision of false information	Applicant	Administrative	Refusal of registration, cancellation of record in the register, fine	Art. 9 of the Law; TC, CAO
7	Creation and distribution of malicious modifications (viruses) based on another’s programs	Natural persons, organizations	Criminal	Fines, corrective labor, restriction or deprivation of liberty depending on consequences	Art. 15 of the Law; Arts. 278–280 CC
8	Violation of copyright and related rights on a large scale (commercial piracy)	Natural and legal persons	Criminal	Confiscation of carriers, fine, imprisonment for prescribed terms	Art. 149 CC; Arts. 277–279 CC

This table conveniently structures types of violations, mechanisms of liability, and legal consequences. It is useful both for scientific publications and for practicing lawyers when preparing claims, lawsuits, and complaints.