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29 / 06 / 2026
The Ruling on Intellectual Property
What is the ruling on intellectual property in Islam? Are the rights of the author in their works considered valid? One wants to read a book authored in the 1930s, and the copyright is still protected by law, but the book is not available in the market for purchase, and they have obtained a digital PDF copy. Is it permissible to read it?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: Copyrights are preserved in Islam as long as they do not prevent the dissemination of knowledge and the spread of information, and thus protect the rights of the author from commercial exploitation, while allowing others to read and benefit from it without commercial intent. And God knows best.
