Published in the Bulletin officiel (Official Gazette) on 10 August 2026, Law 013.26 amends Law 2-00 on copyright and related rights. It is in force and targets illegal streaming directly, at a time when sports broadcasts matter more and more and Morocco is preparing for the 2030 World Cup. Rights holders, broadcasters, platforms, cafés and internet service providers are all concerned. Here are the main changes.
Definitions adapted to the digital age
Adopted by the Government Council on 4 June 2026, Law 013.26 widens the notion of broadcasting to any direct or indirect communication to the public, including over electronic networks. Piracy is defined as any unauthorised exploitation of a work by any means, including digital means or the internet. These definitions close grey areas. It becomes harder to argue that an online retransmission, a link or a relayed stream falls outside the law because it does not match traditional broadcasting.
Orders against intermediaries
Article 61 allows the court to order any measure to prevent or stop an infringement. These measures may target any person able to bring it to an end, for example internet service providers. For rights holders, this is a significant lever: an effective measure can be obtained without first identifying the operator of a pirate site, who may be based outside Morocco. For intermediaries, it creates a new duty to respond to court decisions.
Stronger investigative powers
Sworn agents may access premises, information systems and means of transport, copy records and seize equipment. They draw up an official report sent to the public prosecutor, and obstructing them is punishable. Customs may also extend by 10 days the suspension of goods suspected of infringing rights, giving the rights holder time to act.
Heavier penalties
Article 64 punishes deliberate infringements for commercial purposes with 2 to 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 DH. These penalties are doubled for habitual offenders. For a repeat offence within 5 years, they rise to 1 to 4 years' imprisonment and/or a fine of 60,000 to 600,000 DH. The judge may also order seizure, confiscation and destruction, closure of the establishment and publication of the decision. For a business, these measures may weigh more than the fine itself.
Digital contracts, folklore and practical tips
The law regulates digital publishing contracts. Commercial exploitation of folklore works and public-domain works requires prior authorisation from the BMDA (Moroccan Copyright Office). Our advice: a café or venue open to the public that shows matches should check that its subscription comes from a lawful source. A platform should have a fast takedown procedure for reported content. A rights holder should keep proof of its rights and record infringements promptly.
For a broadcaster holding exclusive rights, preparation matters as much as reaction. Organising evidence collection in advance (dated screenshots, official reports, identification of streams) makes it possible to go to court without delay under Article 61, especially during a sports competition, where every day of pirate broadcasting is a loss that is hard to recover.
Sources
- Médias24, 20 August 2026: « Streaming illégal désormais en vigueur : ce que change la nouvelle loi sur les droits d'auteur »
Maître Mouad Lahfaia
Lawyer at the Rabat Bar
This article reflects the author's views as at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and is no substitute for an analysis of your particular situation.