Is Academic or Literary Plagiarism a Crime in Iran?

Introduction

Have you ever found that someone copied your book, thesis, article, or research and published it under their own name—without your permission or proper citation?

This act, known globally as plagiarism, is not only unethical, but under Iranian law, it can also carry legal and even criminal consequences.

In this article, we’ll explain:

What plagiarism means under Iranian law

Whether it is considered a crime

What punishments may apply

And how to file a legal complaint to protect your intellectual rights

What Is Academic or Literary Plagiarism?

Plagiarism refers to presenting another person’s work or ideas as your own, either by direct copying or indirect use without citation or permission.

Common forms of plagiarism include:

Copying content from books, articles, or theses without credit

Translating a work and publishing it under your own name

Using data, graphs, designs, or ideas without citation

Republishing blog or social media content as your own

Is Plagiarism a Crime in Iran?

Yes. Depending on the situation, plagiarism can lead to both civil and criminal liability.

1. Civil Liability (Damages & Injunctions):

Under the Law for Protection of Authors, Composers, and Artists (1969), unauthorized use of creative works gives rise to:

Compensation for damages

Injunctions to stop publication

Recognition of ownership

2. Criminal Liability:

Article 23 of the same law states:

“Anyone who, without the permission of the author or publisher, publishes or distributes a work as their own shall be sentenced to 6 months to 3 years of imprisonment.”

Common Examples of Plagiarism in Iran

Submitting someone else’s thesis or dissertation under your own name