Albania’s parliament has passed a new Copyright Law aimed at strengthening protections for Albanian creators and aligning the country with European standards.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the law introduces stricter rules for digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. Platforms must obtain authorization to use copyrighted works and respond to copyright violations.

International platforms operating in Albania without a local headquarters must also appoint a legal representative in the country, giving creators a local point of contact to enforce their rights.

The law also strengthens authors’ contractual rights. Creators will be able to access information on how platforms use their work, how much revenue it generates and request contract reviews when they consider their compensation unfair.

The legislation opens the collective rights management market to greater competition and expands the ministry’s copyright enforcement capacity. It establishes a dedicated unit to protect digital copyright and adds 11 staff members.

Gonxhja said the law would give creators stronger protection, hold digital platforms more accountable and bring Albania’s copyright framework closer to European standards.