RIYADH — The Permanent Committee for Ifta (religious ruling) said that Islam forbids infringement on intellectual property rights and requires a person to respect the rights of others, warning against usurping these rights or benefiting from them without the permission of their owners.

In a statement on intellectual property rights, the committee pointed out that ideas have value according to the regulations issued in this regard, and therefore infringement on them is not permissible. The material and financial effects resulting from intellectual rights are the right of their owners and shall not be infringed on or taken without the permission of their owners under a contract or permit, the statement added.

It warned against taking possession of the intellectual rights of others, benefiting from them, or taking compensation for them except with the permission of their owners.

The committee urged everyone to fear Allah Almighty and beware of infringing on the rights of others.

For his part, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and General President of Scholarly Research and Ifta, praised the contents of the statement of the Permanent Committee for Ifta, noting that it seeks to achieve the noble goal of raising awareness about intellectual property rights, protect the Kingdom from violating such rights, and promote respect for such rights.

He said the statement is consistent with the correct religion, which stressed the sanctity of people’s wealth. — SPA