OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE TOGOLESE REPUBLIC
August 2, 1991
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The Court or the Court of Appeal, as applicable, shall hand down a ruling within 30 days;
otherwise the seizure shall be null and void.
Art. 82 – When the proceeds from exploitation which are due to the author of a work of the mind
have been the subject of a seizure, the President of the Court may order payment to the author, as
an allowance for maintenance, of a certain sum or at least 25 per cent of the amounts seized.
Art. 83 A person, whether natural person or legal entity, shall be considered responsible for
unlawful reproduction or communication to the public, where he has allowed the reproduction or
communication to the public in his establishment of protected works, or has failed to obtain prior
authorization from the Copyright Office of Togo (BUTODRA). The person shall be liable for a
fine equal to twice the amount of the royalties due.
Art. 84 Any publication, reproduction, performance or dissemination by any means
whatsoever, or the import and dissemination for commercial purposes in Togo, of a protected
work in violation of this Law, shall be prohibited and shall constitute the offense of
infringement.
Art. 85 – The penalty shall be three months to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 to
1,000,000 francs, if it is established that the perpetrator repeatedly carried out the acts referred to
in the previous Article.
Should the offense be repeated, following a sentence that has been handed down under the
previous subparagraph, a ruling may be made temporarily or permanently to close the
establishments used by the habitual infringer or his accomplices.