ISSN: 2225-8329
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This analytical study investigates the jurisprudential grounding (ta'??l shar'?) of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and evaluates its impact on the legislative framework of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Driven by the growing economic and moral significance of creative and technological innovations, the research addresses the legal basis for protecting intellectual property under Islamic law and assesses how Sharia principles inform UAE statutory regulations. The study aims to clarify the concept and legal nature of IPRs, establish their legitimacy through primary Islamic sources the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and major legal maxims (al-qaw?'id al-fiqhiyyah) and examine UAE statutory provisions to identify points of convergence with Islamic jurisprudence. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study analyzes key jurisprudential rulings alongside primary UAE legislation, including Federal Decree-Law No. (38) of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, Federal Law No. (11) of 2021 on Industrial Property Rights, and Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2021 on Trademarks. The study concludes that IPRs possess established Islamic legal legitimacy grounded in the higher objectives of Sharia (maq??id al-Shar?'ah), particularly the preservation of wealth (?if? al-m?l), protection of rights, and prevention of harm. It finds that UAE legislation provides a robust protective framework whose goals functionally converge with Sharia principles, without implying direct verbatim derivation of all statutory rules from classical jurisprudence. Furthermore, the findings highlight critical modern challenges, including digital piracy, artificial intelligence, and fair-use boundaries. The study recommends enhancing regulatory enforcement, promoting legal awareness, and fostering inter-institutional collaboration to balance creators' rights with public welfare. Ultimately, the research bridges Islamic jurisprudential foundations with contemporary statutory regulations governing intellectual property.
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