Law on scientific intellectual property.

This Law establishes the legal framework governing scientific intellectual property. It defines key concepts such as scientific intellectual property, scientific works, and their various forms (including monographs, dissertations, reports, and articles), and sets out the scope and objectives of state regulation in this field. It applies to results produced through scientific research and development activities, while explicitly excluding other forms of intellectual property such as inventions, computer programs, and trade secrets, which are regulated separately. Its main goals are to promote scientific and innovative activity, ensure conditions for creating scientific works, and guarantee legal protection of related rights.
The Law regulates ownership and authorship of scientific intellectual property, identifying authors, co-authors, developers, employers, and other legal or natural persons as potential rights holders. Rights may arise through independent research, employment relationships, or contractual arrangements, and may cover intermediate, final, or incidental research results. It establishes that authors and developers are entitled to remuneration and, where agreed, a share of income from the use of their works, while allowing employers or other entities to own rights under specific contracts. Provisions also govern the use, transfer, licensing, and contribution of scientific intellectual property to commercial activities, subject to public interest, state security, and defense considerations.
The Law assigns regulatory roles to state bodies, designating the Cabinet of Ministers, the Academy of Sciences, and Turkmenpatent as key authorities responsible for policy, coordination, registration, and oversight of scientific intellectual property. It provides rules on confidentiality, dispute resolution, liability for violations, and protection of rights through competent authorities. Financial support for scientific intellectual property is envisaged through state, non-budgetary, and other lawful sources. The Law applies equally to domestic and foreign persons and entities operating in Turkmenistan.