WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
ORGANIZACION MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights IP!N!l!ISL!C!l 
22 July 1996 
(96-2878) 
Original: English! 
anglais! 
ingles 
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
Iceland 
The present document reproducesl the 1972 Copyright Act, as amended in 1984, 1991 and 
1992, as notified by Iceland under Article 63.2 of the Agreement. 
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriete 
intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce 
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET REGLEMENTATIONS CONSACREES A LA 
PROPRIETE INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIEES AU TITRE DE 
L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
Islande 
Le present document contient le textel de la Loi de 1972 sur le droit d' auteur, moclifiee en 
1984, 1991 et 1992, notifiee par l'Islande au titre de l'article 63:2 de l'Accord. 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio 
PRINCIPALES LEYES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA PROPIEDAD 
INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD DEL pARRAFO 2 
DEL ARTICULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
Islandia 
En el presente documento se reproducel el texto de la Ley de Derecho de Autor de 1972, 
modificada en 1984, 1991 Y 1992, notificada por Islandia en virtud de 10 dispuesto en el parrafo 2 
del articulo 63 del Acuerdo. 
lEnglish only/anglais seulement/ingles solamente. IP/NIlIISL/C/1 
Page 2 
The 1972 Copyright Act 
as amended 1984, 1991 and 1992 (OJjldal Journal A, 
No, 73/1972, 
Ill), 1H/1984, 
"0. 20/1991 
110, 571J9(2) 
hereby prt>c.'la'm.fi: The Icelnndlc Parli~'mont, t.hl'l Althing, hns ndopte£1 this law anu I h~ve c:ont1rln~d it with 
my consent: 
SECTION I 
Author8' tlKhtB, etc. 
Article 1 
The allthol' of n lirel'tU'Y or arthtlc wod, shall ha.ve copyriSht therein with the IimltnliollH "pocifio<i in 
this Act. 
Lire/'SlI'Y ~If)d MrI~flc wl~rk.~ Int.I,,<!., any text ct.1mposed orally or in writing. a dramatic; work, musicnJ 
c:otn[,!oRic\on, worle of riM lIrt., ~1n:hitr.(;t\lrp., d"em(\tography. photography or nppUed art or other comparable 
IIrt foran. by whatever method nnd In whatav(lt fotm it i$ presented, 
MH['IJ(, c1nlwingN, moulds, mode[.~ and other similar devices, pre.sendng information 01' explanations 
on ilubJcdJl, !lhall anjuy protecdon in the same mRnner os llternt,), works, 
The provisions of third pm'ngraph shnll also apply [0 cOlnputcr ptOHr~m8. 
ArUcle 2 
[t shall be cOllsidcrt:'t.l ~l!J the production nf copies when an intellectual woek (n Iitor3ry ur nrtistic 
work) is tlxed in one tnnsible object or more, 
A woek. ~hall bo C'oniiclored 2llC h~ving been published when copies of it are. with proper 
authorisation and in npprc~lnblc qmlntity, offc((~d for sale, loan or rental or distributed to thu public by othel' 
means. Should tho prot(!ctitm ut' 1\ worK t;,e subject to the condition that it was firat publitlher.i in this country, 
9uch SI. conditiun i.q I,:(.tn!!lidered :'IS fulfilled if it is pUblished jn thIs country within thirty d:lye from its nrst 
publication abroad. 
A wC,lrk sh;,n b~ cClMidered ;'IS having been publicly presented prusenteu when it hns, with proper 
.IluthorfA~)t.inn, h(~tm pc.!rt(um(!d (.If shown publicly or copies of It have been publl&h«;&.i, "9 referred to in the: 
I. 
second paragr.tph. 
It !lhall be C'on!liuQrcd :.IJI :.In independent public presentAtion when n l'adio bruatlcli1!t uf a m1l6icnl or 
li[~.rnry \NorK is communicated h) the puhlit; using a loudspe::tker or other means, 
Should a worlc. be performed or IIhown at a woc-kpl:lce where reil 01' inore persOnll ur", employed, this 
shall be considered aB a puhllc:: prCl:\cnu.tion, 
When reference is milde in this Act to the performance or presentation of II wurk in a brondoosl. (his 
shnlllncludc both eadio anc.l tolovision broadcasting, unless otherwise speciflcd, 
Artlc:Je 3 
An Buthor haJl the cxclu!livo right to m~lc:e copies of his work nncl present It in its miginal 01' nltered 
form, in U'nnsllltiou. or other r"rm of nuuptuU"n. Artlc:le 4 IP/N/lIISL/C/l 
Page 3 
Whel'ever practic.iblc, the nllme of the nllthor must be indlcaMd on both copies of th~ wor~ snd 
whenevel' it is present~d. 
A work ma.y not bu altered, ot presented in suc:h a manner ur In 9uch Sl context, ao n~ to prcJud{~~ 
the nuthor's litel'ary ()f artilltic reputntlon or the individual c::harsctcri!:lti~g of his 9rt. 
'rho right of the author ns pro'Uided fC)r in this. Article mny not be wnived. except lIncle.I' sped,,!. 
cireumst.'mc$fI, tho m&turc nn" extent of which are dO!lrly defined. 
Art1cle 5 
Any person who tl':'Inslates a wOrk, ndnpts it fOl' n certaIn purpose, c(,my~rt~ It from one Ilr.t~l'nry Of 
nt,titltio rOrlll to ~\noth(:!r Or c!8l'tles out other means of ad1\ptntlon rhereof, shnll hnve C'.opYl'ight in the wf,rIc in 
Us new forlD. His right !lhull ill no WEly affect the aut.hor'lt t:opyright tn the nl'iginal work, 
(f n work h.'tl! I!orvcd a8 n model, or been m~dQ U!lC of by other means, in creating another WOt'le. 
which mny be regarded ~!l new and Independent, the new Ulnrk Rhnll he Indcrendent of the ronnel' work with 
rcgllrd to copyl'lght. 
Aftlde 6 
When (\ wot·1( (,r rmrtH of works, by one or mo('e ~uthol'!l, !\rc Incorporated into l\ composite. work, 
which nllly be in itself consid(,lrctl to be n liternl;' or artistic work, the per"on creating the composite work 
shall hold cc..1pyrlght therein. His right shnll In no way nffect the right~ tn th,~ ""nth which haY~ been 
incorpornted into tlu) ~onlpollite work. 
The pl'ovision$ C)f the first pnmgroph d/) not apply to newllpn(le1'~ and periodicals, cf. Article 40, 
Article 7 
If n single work h;lK twu or rnore authors, whose individual contributions cnnnot be sepl1rntl1'.d intn 
Independent. works, they lihall hold joint copyrig~t In thA wor~. 
Article 8 
Unless it ahould hili proved otherwise, the per$on whose nnme nppenrs in the lIsu~il m,lnMr I~n 
copic!I CIf the work. or is declared t(') bc the £\lIthor. sh:lll be c(~n~ldcl'ed SI' the author of the work when the 
w01'k is presented, This applies nbo to ~uthors who use pseudonyms or fdonlU'ying mnrks when it is genel'al1y 
known to whom they reter, The f(lregning rrovlf:lons shall also apply to the producer of cinematographic 
work~. In addition. In coses where major or continuolls performAnCt\ of \\Inrh nr extensive reproduction ur 
('onu,1 h~'H taken place, it shall be ~!lsurnoo thnt fhe worh perf,mnecl, rented ot' &'eproduced are proteded by 
copyright laws unless evid~ncll IIhOllid be produced to th~ el)ntrSlrY. 
If n wOl'k is pl,blh,hcd without indicatiC)n of the nmne of the author 38 n~f(lrn.':d to hl the t1rst 
paragraph, the publishor IIh~lll net on his behalf until allch time as his name ill inrli(:'lh~d in l) rlcw edition 01' is 
noti fied to the Mini$tar of Culture nnd Education. 
Article 9 
U1WS, regulations •• Wminiatrative provisions, j\l<lk:iA) ttiling" and similar offici:.d ducuments arc I\ot 
subject tu copyright according tu the prOVisions of thig Ad, nor fire offlciol translations of such documents, IP/N/1/ISL/C/l 
Page 4 
Article 10 
Designs sh~'1L ~ protect~d as npplied nrt, provided they fulfil the t::OmJitions of utility .. nd IIl'tlstlc 
characteristics, 
SECTIONII 
Limitatlolls ot copyright 
Article 11 
Copies ol' n work which hns been publicly presented mny be produced CltclUHivoly for priv~la \lse, 
No onu Jnay, howevcr, proJuce or hnve produced more thun three such copius t'or UIIO in hi!'; profession. 
Thu pl'ovlsllmlJ of the nrAt paragraph shall not conftlr .the right to: 
t, orl;!<:t ~tructurC!$ pllUc;:rnC!J on JI work which l!l pn.lh:c:ted by rules concerning architecture. 
2, reproduce works whi<:h ~re protected by rules (:oncern,ng Iculpture, industrilll design or 
hnndwork, or drawins if the OlSsist:mce of other persons is sought for Ihis purpose. 
3. l'epl'odllce protected musical and Htel'ary works. if the assistance of other persons who 
carry uut Huch ruproJuctiun ora ~l corrlUicrcial ballill is Buught f')r thiK rurp\)lle, 
4. tcprc.ll.luee protected c!olnpllter pl'ogrmns, 
TIle authors of wOI'ks, which hnve been broadcast 01' published in the form of ull nUdlo or vide() 
recordlns, shall be c!ntitled to special retnunerntioll for the recording of their works on uudio 0[' vidoe) tllP(,) for 
priv~te \J!;e, "8 ~\uth(lri:U!d by the first PQtogrnph of this Artlelt3. A tee sha.ll bo ~!lfI(,l$$Qd c.H'\ equipment for 
::mdio find video I'ecot'dillg for private U!le, ~'!i well as (In bl~nk ~udio ~nd video recording tape nnd other tnpe 
which Inay be considet'ed :1$ being intended for such use. The fee sh:sll be :assessed 011 equipment lInd tHpe 
which ;\I'e imported or prod\lced in thi! country :md the fl!.¥ponsibiliry for effecting payment of this fee shDII 
I'est with impol'tel's nnd tnanuf:lCturers, The levy on equipment shall amount to 4% of the impol·t price or 
tnnnufnctlll'ins pl'ice, in the case of domestic production. The levy 011 blnnk. nudio l'ecordill8 tnpes shall he 
ISK 10.00 nnd ISK :30.00 on blnnk video recording tnpes. The Minister of Culture nnd nduc~ulon IItll:!llllr::ll 
further rules concefrlins this r~e. In particular. with regard to the Inflation Indexing of the mnount. 
A joint cullectie)n centre of tul!loclatlona of copyright holders. Including porformcrlJ !.\nd producers, 
shall collecl nnd dlstdbute royalties ns provided for In the preceding pnrRsrnph. The ce)ltectiun centre 61'\,,11 
abide by statutes adopted In consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Bducatiun ~nd subject to its 
npprovtll. ThCjI) 9talutc9 9hall provide, for lrutnncc, for the tllvhlon oC tt3v£!nUes between member societies 
",od may also make proviSion For contributluns in support uf the production of audio nnd video recordIngs. 
Article 118 
The owner oC n copy of u cotnputel' pl'osrmn, which hRS been Innde conllncrclnlly ~vailablo, i5 
permitted. notwlthstnndir18 point 4 of the secone! porngrnph of Article 11, to make copicl! of tho ['rugr~m. in 
pnrticular to mnke back-up and security copies as necessary fOI' the Use of the program. Such COpiCH may nut 
be u~ed for any othel' Pu\'pose ~nd the risht lo their use is termin::\t.ed should the ownel' dispos~ of hi!! oriSlnul 
copy to another person, 
Article 12 
A 1'e8ulation mny be issued granting permission to t:pecified public libraries. nrchlvc9, ~'nd 8cicntitic 
or technical resentoch institutes to nlnlc.e phot.ocopies of works [or their own Use. H ahull act cnnuiti(m6 for 
such permission. in pnrtlculnr regurdlng clIstody llud preservation. They may not bo Immed or di!;poted of 
outside of the estnblishmellt in question. Article 13 IP/N/lIISL/C/l 
Page 5 
The ownor of ~I stt'uc::t"re E\I'otec:ted under th~. rllle~ c.o.,c:,:wning worh of arr!hir.cctlln: may 
nev~rtheloKg ~ut<~[" it without the :author'!! consent to the extent whkh is c11~"mt~d nl.".cellllary for Its utilh;atioll 01' 
for technitlUl r~asons. 
Objects protected by rules concerning applied arl mny be altered without tht"l ':nnsont elf t.h,~ uut.hor. 
Article 14 
AllY presented litcrncy work. inclllding dr~rnatic works and presented cinematographic or musical 
W()rlc.!I, Inuy be quoted if thi!l is done in the contflxt (,f ~ etltlcal or ~cientitic public disclIssion, or other 
recognilluc.l purp0l>e. provided [he quotation Is correct and of rea~()nilhlt~ hmgth. 
The sarne condition!! ~pply to representotions of pichlro; Md drawings of pl'esented works of art 
ancl dOCl/\11entlll ml rcfen'ed to in the third rnl'ngrllph of Artide 1. 
(f pictures or drowing~ of two or rnore works by the ~:\mc Iluthor !lte represented in connection with 
la text intended os general inforrr\l).tiOI\ the nllthor !JhJlII ha cntltled to remuneration. 
Article 15 
f'opulur articles 011 the 8ubject of economics. politic!l (.lr rnllgkm In newspapers 01' periodicals, 01' 
brOlldcost material or thQ Name type, may be reprodllcedln other newspapers 0(' periodicals or pel'formed in a 
brondc~!lt, 1I1)less this is spc:cific.:ully stnted in the ~~ticl(\R or the broadcasts that !iuch rcptost!ntntion Is 
prohibitc<l. Reference shnll, as a rulo, be made to the source when Ruch representation is mad", 
picture!! or drawings of presented works of art may ho rC(1reAented in newspapers an,1 pcriodlculs. 
on television .ml..! in films In connectinn with the l'e.pol'ring of r.:urn~nt cventll. This does not. bowovcr. 21pply 
to wot'lCI) which were Intended fol' prl;!~cnt9tlon In the foregoing mllnner. 
When the perfol'lnance or-~howlllg of the work ill among newsworthy events, ,,~ccrpt8 of n wot'k. or 
*' recnpitulntion of it, may ttc.eompnny n pre~enttltion of current events being Shown to the public in :1 
hr()~ldcullt or film, 
Article t!a 
Anyone huving been gronted PQrmillSlon ro photocopy Ulc'1r'k~ or copy them in a similar fU!lhlon in 
hi~ ~'lctlvltle& by agreement with the nS!JodHtiMll or organisations of copyriaht holder$. who act in the Interests 
of u suhllh\ntlnl port ot' l<.:ehmrJlc authors to thi!i. Md nnd have received formal legnl recognition from I:he 
Minilltry of Culture and Eclul~UtlOll fOl' thi~ pllrpoAe. Is; also entitled to reproduce the works in the ~lItle 
f~llIhion, without \'equiring the e.x.pl'e~~ ~nns{~nt of the author in c~\ch case. even though tho l~lIthor is nor a 
rn~mber of the ;1IUIOcialiotl. Ench inuividuullluthor C:1M, hy JI wdtren interdict. prohibit the reproductioll of his 
wOl'ks in :\cc;:()rl..!~mcc with this p!lmsrsph. 
AS'IQciatiollS nctillQ on ht::hnlf of copyright holc\~r/'l, as referred to in the first Daragraph, shulll\btdc 
by stntlltes ~lcJ()pted In consultution with Ih~ MinbHry or Culture and Euucutlon und subject to its Approllnl. 
Thtl assooiation I;Ihall, In addition te) ,\cgotinting :igr~lJm~nt!il. have the right to can), out general colk-clion of 
roYUllic9 fOl' reproduction, und 1'01' tho~c lcdandic <llIthc.mJ who are not membcl'9 us well. The statutes uf the 
ossoci~\thm shuU provide for th~ dlspos~t of rt\ynltks for reproduction wherehy authors. who al'e not members 
(If the nssoci:ltiun, shall enjoy th(~ !\$\mc l'ights to reimbursement for tho lIse of their workS ~\S do membel's. 
Copyright HHilochltions. a~ roYcl'red to in thL! flrRt paragraph. are respom;ihle for all claims whkh 
may be submitted by copyl'ight holdtlr!l who are not members of the l\S80cintioll and who ~lre legitimately 
el\lltled Co roimbursement for reproduction. "ne! may Auch claims be 8o\lght only to the assocl~tion. Claims 
I'et'errod to iJ\ this paragr-uph expire ilft~r f(lUf yeal"s have elapsed from the time the property permitted 
reproductiun wm; cnrried out. DIsPlJte~ Mi~il1g with regard to claims ~hal1 bo settled by the committee for 
resolution referred to In Article 57, IP/NIlIISL/CI1 
Page 6 
1'he Minister (If Culture <'nd Bdllcntion shall set detailed provisions ~oncerni(1g the implementutiun 
of this m'tide, Such provisie>ns Inny, in particular, advocnte the extenalon, a9 appropriate, of the proy'ialort!l of 
this article to ~pply to abjeet eQde cQpie5J of published works Cor uSe In datA bUllcl! 
Artlf:le 16 
Photogrnphs mny be hlk.en of bulldlngg all woll ~\!.I wurk\! of ~rt, which have he en flitu;lted 
permnnently ()ut of dool's il\ n public place, (f n building, which enjoys protection \.Inder the rules concerning 
w(lrh of ~Jr(:hitp.durc. Of a work of ilrt, as previously I'eferred to, cOlnprillcll the principii! lnotif in 1I 
phntngrHph which is elCploitt".d tl:U' commercial pllrpose.s. the author sh[Jll be entitled to remuneration, lInlel/1! 
the picture!! 1,ll.I intended fur U$e in neWlrpapers or on television, 
Article1? 
The following types of works may be reptoductd in composite works, consisting of works hy muny 
nuthol'S compiled COl' Use In religious service!!, Cill8Sl'Oom instruc.:til,)n I,)r educational broadcnsting: 
I. individllallltel'nt'Y or musical works. limited In si:.!u, and ehapter~ ta.kert f{om longel' works, when 
five ye~rs h~ve elapsed f,'om the end of the yenr in which the work was pl"cHcntadj 
2. picturo!» 01" drawings of wuries of llrt or doc;um~l'\ts, u ('eferred to in the third parl\gruph of Artic:le 
L I in cunncc:tion with main t~xt!.l, m. dOllcribed in point I, provided ti ve yenrs hnvc elapscU froIT'! 
the end of tho yenI' In which tha work WSIJ pre8entlld, 
Wor'-s cre:lted fOl' educational purposes may not be reproduced in any fortn in a. cumposite wOl'k 
compiled for the some purpose without the con£em of the author, 
Whenever n work Is I'eproduced, in whole 01."' in part, In ~ cC)mpQ$ite "Iorlc in \\ccordnnce with this 
m't.icle, the nutho1' shall be entitled to l'emUne1'ntlon, 
Article Ul 
The edllc.ationnl nurhorilies may pe.rtnit the audio recording of puhlicly presented works educntloJlul 
c"tuhli!olhmcnt!ol fur thPoir tp.nlrnrnry educntiolli\1 lIse, The nuelio recordings Inay not he used rOl' any other 
purposes, 
1'ho prc')Vi!!inn!! nt' t.hCl find p.ifflgraph do not imply the right to make direct (,:upies of gramophone 
l'W!'cotds ot other Ruuio rucnrding~ which are produced for commercial sole. 
The MinilHer of Culture and Education shnll set further rules cnneernins the implementntiorl of this 
Artidfi!. e~pec:i:llly regarding the lIse nncl preservation of gu~h tompOt'at'y audio recordings, 
Article 19 
Rl'alUe edition!'; of Ihel'nry 01' muslcnl wotldl, which have been publish~d. ani'.)' be printed :md 
pllhli!olht~<f, The works may also be photogmphed for use in 9choC)l,v for the speech and hentlng impaired, 
Article 20 
Wh~n !iong., :\re performed publicly at n concert Individual published poems or pnrti<,"s of longel' 
published works may he used n..c> Iyric,,_ In !lur.h ('.n!Q(~~ thl.,\ Iyrks may also be printed In n progr~mme withollt 
thQ mU!.Ilic, for the use of the audience. 
The author is entitled lo rcmurulr~lil)n fl,)r the use referred to in this Article. Article 21 IP/N/1/ISL/C/l 
Page 7 
A pllhli~h~ literm'y ('11' muslclll work whl~h ill not ft dr"matic work may be performCld Pllblicly 
under the t'ollowlny circumllt:mC4lS: 
l. tor educational l'urpOlleJ. The Huthor i.!l t'!nrirLed to re.tluncrution if ~dcnisslon iI~ chsl'Sed 
cHpcciully fur this pOI'form~nce: 
2, i\t aathcrinijs held for pllrpo~es of charily, nl (llIhlit! gHthAring!l. for the promotiun ()f culture or 
education M in !lIlflpnrt. of c:llI~e~ otherwise favourable to thQ common good, pruvided th(\t no 
paym~nL ill nmde t'ur lh4\ p(Jrformnnc:e; 
3. un occasi()l1,~ which aI'e hOt orsnnlRt~d for' cI)mmerdal plll'pose.s or t11Ulntiul gain. such nB Qt 
meetings in schoolll or of ~ncleli(1.~, ;tnd othel' similar occElsions, pl'c)vided thnt no payment ill 
made for the performance t\rld t.htl )ldmisSlon charged is no higher th~n rtecessary to covCr the 
I.lireut co~t9 inclIrred; 
4. in r'eligioll!i scr"ktlJt :tncl ot.her officiaL church functions. The ~uthor is entitled 10 remuneration 
for performnru:t~ a~ rdmrf'!c/ tn in the pl'ovisions or this polrlt in m:cord,mce with rules Bct hy the 
Ministea' of c.;1I1t1ll~ and llduclltlon. 
Article 22 
The Ilroceedillg~ of pllhlit~ mc~~tings of officinl representativeB rn~y b<J printed, l~coi'ded Or cupicxl 
hy other m(~lln.~, in }lciditir.lf1 to the doc.uments regarding these a.ctivitieli which are made publicly I\vtlUnble, 
The same shall apply to legal pl'oceedingl> which sr6 o['on tC\ th~ public, \lnless n court of Iu.w prohibits the 
publh.:uti(Jn ot' certuin documents. 
The provision); of the t'il'St IUlraSr'Sl['h alRo ~pply to clebatl".5 on questions conCllrning the common 
gnod whkh take place at gatherings to which thl'! puhlic h:ts access or are broudcDst. 
The author shall hnve exclusive right tn 1'1Ihlish a summary of his own ahttQments regllrdlng thc 
cli!l(:II~~ic.m~ refera'ed to in the. tll'sr nnd second parllSnlphs or of document.!; which ha ~,y hnve 8ubmllletl in 
the cuurllc ut' such dj~cu66ion, 
Article 23 
Wht~" ~ hr'm\cl(~~!iting (lrgHni.~ntion hns been grnnted p~rmiS.\l'on to bl'Olldcnst workll after hnving 
l'eached Hgrccment with an association of copyright h(llders, which negotintea t)sr~ements c:oncernh~i: the 
performing I'ight in litt'!l'9I'Y or musical worh nr indiviclunl types of thCiC workll for a slIbstauth'll pnrt of 
Icelandic authors nnd ha!> recel vetl rorrru\l Ing},1 r~l~t)gnition of the Minl~try of Culture and Educatiun for the 
exercise of' the~e rights, it is also entitled to hrolld~~,st works of n simllnr type, without requiring the expross 
cOllsent of the tluthor ill each cn~t!, t~Vt:1l t.hnllgh the author is not n member of the association. Only one 
assoclution in cHch Iiteml'Y 01' tnllslc.ul field shall ha entitled to exercise Ihese rights, Authol'S who ~irc not 
memhers of the H~sc'l(~i"ti(ln lIhall enjoy the snme right to rolmbufIlement for the lUIC of their WOl'ks ns clo 
members, 
Broadcasting Ilel'lnis!llM gnlntcd tll a broadcasting 01'89,nl$ation in nCCOl'ooncc with the tlt-st 
pMn~nlph is limited, however, 10 Afntlllar work.'J •. \lICh £IS indlvldunl poems, short stol'ies, e811!lyll, ch"pt~l's 
From longer works. individual ROl'Is~ ~lnd !lmal!er musical works and sections of longel' wurkll, The rules 
previously descl'jbed do not upply to the negotiation of contr'l\cts concerning dl'nmatic w~)('ks nol' to workll 
who~e Eluthor' hM [lrnhibited their perfOl'lnllllCe for bro~u.l(':1l¥ting purposes by a wl'ittun interdict, 
Associtttionll uf copy1'ight holders, which h~ve been legally l'ecognl:.t.etl in ~c.:cordance with the first 
pnr.Qgrnph, shall be entitled to collect genel'.}1 rnytl1t.ie., for performance rlghb for nuthors who llre nc,t 
rnemher's of t.he tUlsodation ns well. f1l'ovlded thty huve previollsly obtained pCr'mi~sion to collect sllch reeK ~m 
heh;M of n signlnclIDt numhor nf R\lch authors. 
Associntions ot' (:opyri~ht hnlder$ as ref~.rred to in tho tint p~r~grllph shnll l,l&o bo entitled to s~t 
rllte..~ ror tllo perfurming of wOl'ks l1pnrt frorn hrcHld(:(l~dng, Such rntell shall bQ lHlbjec:t to tht!! appruv,,1 of the 
Ministt'y of Culture und I::!clucation, IP/N/lIISL/C/l 
Page 8 
When a brow.}cu!ltinS urHl:lni!Jutilm has been permitted to bl'oadc8st n work it i6 free to mllkc 
ephirncn\l fill.H.tions uf the wurlc. in the forl'll of ~udio or video recordlng8 t),.;clusively for its own lISe. 
"el'mil;~ion m\1~f. be obfninf'.(1 from the assoclatlon of copyright holder" concerned for permnnent fI",ationa and 
for their rcpcatct.ill!lU. Murl! dC[;lilml pruvilli(ln~ concerning the fixation of works, thoir prel!ervOltion nnd ll.9C 
.~hall be issued in the form ot' n regulntion, which ahall ha\le regard to Olsreements which huvc traditit)h(\lly 
hc('!n negotinted with assoc.iations of copyl'ight holders concernins th(l.!le matters :md pmcticell whic.:h huvo 
become accepted in this country in this regard, 
The Ministel' of Cllltlltt and Edueation may )let further provisions concernlns tho jmplement~tioll of 
this tlrliclc, 
Article 23a 
A wOrk whi(~h i~ hrmlll(~:l.'lt \iv~ or by s:\tellhe mAY. withollt the exptt.\S~ con¥cnt of the cOPYl'lghL 
holder. be l'ebro~dcMt it) thc public by m~~n~ of ;a c~ble ~ystem, provided that the work i6 distributed 
sin1ultnneollsly with the otiginnl bl'ondeall! m\d in unaltcruJ furm. 
AlIfh(\r~ "net other copyright holders shAH always be entitled to ruimbufllement for rebrooclcnill8 in 
uccurdunt,:e with the first p~fn8 .. ~ph. Distribution by cable. to which fewer than twenty-tive I'esidences In orte 
~U1d the linne building or in n ndjacent buildings connected, 19, however, exompt from charge. 
CI"inu fOl' relTlllnf'.1'ntloll in ncco1'1:IIl11Ce with lilt) second pnrngral'h may only be s:ubmictc.'() by an 
organisntion fOl' fee collection n~tit\g oil the common behalf of a8lloc,liutions of authors, perfol'lners nnJ oth~r 
copyrIght holdcry. The UfHQniiialion c()ll(,!d~ the fees and distributes them. It mny, however, enlist the 
se.tvle.e.¥ o~' othur lluthor,,' collection !'uc.:ietie!l for the purposes of collection. The organlsatlon Kh~1l abide by 
stntutes adopted in congultnti()n with the Ministry of Culture and Education and subject to itl! ~pprQv .. l. The 
stntutes 9hnll rhRlc.o provi!lion for the division of revenues between member societies. 
The. Mlnl!Jlcr ot' CulLurc Ilnd EJuc~tion IIh,,1t set detailed provisions concerning tht:l Implementntion 
of this nrtlclc. 
Article 24 
Th" ~ull~\, IC.l~n, renUll or orher means of distriblltion to rho public of copies of published lItcntry oC' 
rnll~it~)\1 \.IIf.\rks io; permitted. Rentnl or loan of copies of mu~ic~1 works is not permitted, however, without th" 
pcrmlslllon of the amhor. 
The Ilrovilllonll of I.ht~ t'irlit p}mI8r~ph also apply to cinematographlc work!!, including videos, for 
which rental or loan to the [lllhlic il' nut permitted withollt the consent of tho copy .. ight holder. Thc IUIme 
applies to rentnl of computer programs. 
Article 25 
Aftcr n work of art has been transferred tha owner may, unless reservHtinn h~\.s bee~' l1u\dc 
specifioally to tho cuntnlry. dispose of that work and cxhihit it to the public. Public exhibition of the work lit 
art exhibitions tmd in similar fashion is. however, not ptlrmitted without the exprcsQ cunsent of the "rlist, with 
(he c~ccption of exhibitions nt publicly owned ghll(!rie!J which are open to the general Pllblic. The provisions 
of (hl~ pnOlgr-liph ,,1St) Hpply to published l'cproduc;Uons of nrt works. 
The Owner of a work of Q1't may phot"sn~ph it or have it photogrnl,hed for di~pla>, in n film or on 
teltwision, if the reproduction lR of minor imro~hmce in relution to the C4>ntents of the mm Or programme. It 
is also permitted. withouc the e:cptC!lA cnn!4~nt of the arUst in each inshmce, to display on television D 
previou:<;ly e.hlbitcd work when the televlsion brnaciclutins station hRa tenehct.l tin Olsreement concerning this 
material with nil authors' H!I!lodntion who represent the intomllt!) of (\ substAntial pilrt uf Icelandic nuthofllund 
ha"c received formal legal r'eeognillon fmm the Ministry of Culturo and Educ:Jtion for the exercise oC these 
ri~hts. Authors who are not members of the a!sociation ~hnll enjoy the ~~me right to reimbursement for the 
ll~e of their works as do members. El\ch authors can. by 11 wrlttM int~fdict, prohibit the n;produc:tion or hill 
workli in accordance with this ptlr11graph, The association Rh~)1I h~ entitled to set rntca for the tlxhlbltlon of IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 9 
w(U'ks nt nrt exhlhitlOl\R or In Rlrnilflr fil!ihinn. in (l(:(:ofdance with the first pnrngraph, The associnllon IIhall 
AI!ln hp. ~"titled t('l ~el rntes fOl' othel' pl'~!lcnh\tion of wurks of art. Such rntes shall be lIuhjec:t to the npPl'oYlII 
of the MiniNtry uf C.llltur~ ~,"d ~cilll:::Itinll. <I'hp. MirJistet' o( CtlUlIl'e nnel Edllcution shall set d~h'ilcd provilliol1/S 
concerning the implementation of this nl'licle. 
Phott')sniph)( ()f a umrk of :Irt owned by n gnllery anny be printed in a gallery catalogue. 
It' n wMIc M' ~irt irt offered for sale, photographs Inay be prlntQd in the notices concerning tho 8:1le, 
U' n cotnmissitln(!tI portr.alt ha.~ been painted, sculpted or c!'l!ate~ in some other mnnncrt the 3utho,' is 
I\Ot. [mrmiltcd TO exet'ci.!le his exclusive rights as pl'o\lldcd for in Article 3 without the cC)nl:lont of the person 
wll(,) c(.lmmissioned the portt'nlt or his heirs, If hIJ Is deceased, 
Article 25a 
Th~ ('.ustodinn of 11 work ot' nrt MulIl illlow the ~rti\lt tlccess to the work for purposes of l'l3productiun 
Or' rlllhJi(~)ltinn nr oth('.I' ~imi/;lI' lIse, which lUny be considered h, be of importance to the ~lrti8t, Any l'ight 
nccol'ded tc) the Hrtirtt on tho h:l!~i~ of thi.~ pI'ovision is persolltllllnd non-transferable and is not inberitablo, 
The cm;[odlnn Ill. however', nc)t nhliged to nllow the nrtist ncceSQ to lho w(,)rk. nor to hnnd it over C(' 
h;m to thi.~ end unless provIsion has been mHLIo to enSUfe that the work will not be uamagcd or lost, 
Should the request of nn f.'Irlicqt for lIccen to his work. in (iCcoroanCQ wi~h the first pornsrnph be 
l'efused he tm,y l<lIhmit hi~ (.~l!lim to ~I COllI't, in which case the judge may, in p:uticular. specify the conuitions 
t'OI' the rllHilrncnt ~,f thil! fight of :tccess, 
A (~lIst(1dian shall have the l'ight to the ownrd by thu stato of costs for defence in lIuch Oi'JiIcs. 
Article 2Sb 
If n work of :1I't. i$ l'E'!~old on a commercial basis n 10% II.lICcharge shall be ndded to the !laIc pdco of 
the wOl'k paId to the £I.uthor, 
Thill charge doe~ nM J\pply t.o ~~nnstr\lctions which are subject to pl'ovisic,ms concerning tlrchitccturQ 
nor to wOI'h which fll'e cnMltlt~r't~d incillst.rilll design or handwork products and cs.nnot be considered origin4111) 
because they Ol'e pJ"odllced L'OI: gClIlf,lnd 6 .. 1"" 
Tho right of author~' as refel'red tn in lht'! t1r'~t ['IflrA~rl\ph is non-tran!lf~rnblc and endures fol' the 
lensth of hi!i copyright, cf, Article 43 of the C.opyright Act, The nl,tists' copyrigbt fund, 01' any other funu 
which rupluces that fund. shall he entrusled with the (~ollection of fees ss provided for in the first purasmph 
nnd their subsequent pnYl11ellC Co rhe a.rtM~. Aft.p.r t.he denth of £In oulhol' thia right is tmnsfel'ttd tu hi!) log:!1 
hein>: should hll be without compulsol'Y legnl hdr'A t.hn (:hMge .lJhall be paid to tho Authors' copyright fund. 
The provisions of (his Al'ticle do not n!1ply h\ \'vnrlr~ of .ut solei at auction, ftS special pl'ovisiuns 
conceming the Chllr'g~~ ~ipplit~Hhl'i! in ~lIch instances are found in Article 3 or Low No, 36/l981. 
More detailed t)rovi)(lnns (:nn.;:efning the Implementation of this at'dcle ~hull be laid down in Lt 
[cgulmion, 
Article 26 
The pl"Ovisions of t.his Sectioll, with the Cltct:plicm of Article 1:1, Shl\lI not prejUdice the rightl1 of;)11 
~\ulh()r in accordance with Articl~ 1, 
When a wOl'k iJf publicly presented in nccordAnCfl with the provisions of this Section. mention 8h,,11 
bo made of the $(lllrcc liS well as the nome of tho ~lIIthor in whatever manner is prllcllcl\blc \Jl1del' the 
circumstances, 
When copie~ of n WOI'k tlrt! m~de in (lccordal1ce with the provisiolls of this Section, the wurk mny 
not be altered mur" c:uensively [hnn lR I'&.~qllirl':rl for the. purposes of {"<,production without the consent of the 
author. IP/NIlIISL/CI 1 
Page 10 
wot'k, sEc'rloN III 
'fnlDlllter ut copyrighl 
General p .. ovlslons 
Article 1,7 
81lhject to [he IImltnl.lol\A of Arti(':l", d, ~n author may transfer, In wholo or in part. his right tu ~, 
If n COI')Y of la work h8~ hc~t~n c1uliv~rr.ll t" !\n owner. sllch action doe9 not constitute the trnrlllfor of 
the author's right In the work, unlcu this it) lIt~ted expresldy, 
Arti(!lc28 
Unle"R oLh~rwl!tt~ I\grt~(~tl, H t.rJ.tMfp.r of c.~pyl'ight does not entllle the l~$i8nee to alter the work. 
Neither rnRy nn "!(!(;8n(!f~ tr"n~re,' his right to a third patty without the consent of the nuthor, If tho 
cO[1yrlght i!ol }\mnng fh(l HlI~P.t~ f)f:t bwcineu enterprii:e it may be (ranafor~d ~long with the buslneil9 ur u part 
nf it. Nmwilhstnllding ~:IIch r.l·nn~fel', th~ nsslgnnr rl~rn8i"li rE'-'iponsible for the fulflllhel'lt of hhl obligations 
tow3rtls the lluthor. 
Artlde29 
(Al'ticle 29 wns I'~pefllcd by Artide 9 uf L:aw No. 1111986.) 
Article 30 
If all aUlhol' I!I ITInrrlcd r.h(\ t:n['yright is hi!! personal property and cannot he restricted by " ml\rriagc 
settlement or nther m(~}lnl(. induciiog the dissolution or settlement of th~ marital estare during the author'/l 
Iifetimu. Copyright royaltie!; cnd I'evenue from the t.rHnllr~r of copyright nre the joint property of the couple, 
ltnless otherwise pl'ovided rnl' in 1I mntrinso lIettlernent. Upon the death ot' thc 8\1thuf the copyright shall 
constitute p:ut of hi~ tnnl'ilnl t~lItnh~, IIfllt~s.!/. otherwise provided for in n Ihurrlage settlement, cf. nil,,) the 
provisions of the second parnSl'~pll or Articli5 31, 
COPYI'ight .shnll not ht~ .'4uhjC!l:t tn leenl e.nfo~elnent rrten.9llres, whether in the possessiun nf the 
~\t1thor himself 01' others. who have acqllired tho right by vil'tue of inheritol\Clc Or marriage. If a penlUn hM 
flcqllircd t.he copyright by U'unsfel', It ntny nnly ha ~\Jbjec:[ to legnl enforcement measures to the cll.tcnt to 
which he has tho right to retnlnsfer the copyright, cf. t1u~ prnvi¥it.lns of the second paragraph of Article 28. 
The provisions of the first and ~econd lllu'ngrll{1hA 1t['lply "Iso to e.xnrnples ot' work!J of al't which thu 
11uthor has not exhibited in public, offered for sale puhllcly or f,ltherwise ncknowled8c~ the public distributiun 
of, os well as to manuscrlpt8, 
Article 31 
denerallegal J)rovl8lons rctllrding inheritance Slpply 1.0 '~opyrighr on the death ()f the author, cf. ~J.IIO 
the provislonll of Article 30, 
An author may make 51)cclnl [1rnvisir.ln in his will concerning the exerciae uf cnpYl'ight ,,(ter hill 
death and may, f"'r inshmce, assign its exercise tt., f1 "[leci;ll executor. Such prQvision shnll be binding all nil 
hIli heirs, including his legal heirs, Hnc! JII,," wit.h regard to that portio" af the estnte falling to hi6 spouse. 
The pro'Visions of the second pnn\graph shal also aflply b'l ~uch works os Rro roferred to in the thil'd 
parngtaph of Article 3D, Right te) public performances 
Article 32 IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 11 
fr tlrl nuthol' hns gnlntcu permission for the public p~!rft\rmance of D worl:. (his shall not include 
exclullive rlshts to performaot;f.', ulIless such hos been eltpre.uly Agreeclupon_ 
rr permission is granted f()c an indetlnite period of tifl"l~, r~gnnllt~AR ot' whether It includes; exclm:ive 
rightlJ or nut, this Is considered Cc:> ba \l1111d I'or n pel'iod of tluf1!e ye~N only_ Thl!!!le provisions do not covet' 
cnntructs regllt,(\ing the right to performances ro which prnf~~~innnl nrgnnbl9tlons of the owners of such rights 
aro a pllrly. 
It, C~gO~ where exclusive performing rishts hove been granted tor ;t ll[lt'!I:itit:cl pcric')d longer than 
three ye:lrII. the l\uthot' is neverthelellY I.mtitlc:d to perform the work him~t~lf, M lo 11ermlt others to pet'form it, 
if tho oxclulJivC! rights In question haw mlt been exercised for three c.~I.')n~tmU'Ve years and no agl'eement to the 
contrary hns been concluded, 
The provision!:! ut' this Article clo not ~pply to dnelnatogrnphic w"rb. 
Publishing cont.-acts 
Article 33 
1t shall QnnHtitute n pUblishins contruct 11' nn author grant" .. !irr.r:ifit~ l\nrty (the puhlisher) the right 
to pt'odllc:e, by printing or n shnil:u proccy.o, l!ople~ of n literary or Jtrtllitlc work and to puhlish [hem, 
A ruhliahing conU'act does not confer upon the puhlillher the tIght of ownership to a m.muscript or 
other origin~l of u w()tk being repl·ocl\l(~c.I, IInlt~M expregllly agreed u{)on, 
Article 34 
A pubUaher ~hall havo thu right, unless otherwi~l' nsreed upon. to publish ~m edition. which nm)' 
not e,cccc;:d 2000 copies of:l liter~ry work, 1 000 c:opie5 (If a muRicnl work and 200 copies of tI work of art, 
The term edition l'cfQr~ tu the nllmber of copies J'ln'lf.hu:=cd hy n publisher nt one timo, IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 12 
Attlcle 3S 
'The rmhlishor iN required to p\Iblish t.he work within Q rcaaonablc period of time Ilnd shull prnmote 
its distl'ihullon In whntcvl!r mAnm~r i!\ rntdic:lble under the circllmstanc~8 and in keeping with nOmllll 
pmctices regarding slIch works. 
Article 36 
If n litel',u'y Ot' al'ti~rjc. wor~ has not been publillhed within two yeAl'S ot, In the caso nf;\ CTlu6iool 
work. within four YCHtrll. from the time the nuthnf submits to the publishClr lhfi\ fin~1 mnnuscript the['Cof 01' 
another copy which i.0/, l(t ht, IISl~" f(1r publication purposes, the nuthor mllY, unIQ$!J a longel' pedod of time hal:l 
heen ngtl~,~d 11 [1l'm. mst:incl thr. publishing conrrnct, whether or not the ~onditiQns for cancelling a cuntr~ct 
fK':(~onling to tht;! 2enernl mle.I( of Inw hnvf'. bf'en fulfllled. 'ThCl garrtf;) $hallapply when Rn edition i~ sold out 
}~nfl }l publisher. who has been grnnted the. right to a now edition. fails to republish the work within two yenrs 
of the time he was t'equested 10 do so by thu uuthor. 
When n puhli!{hing c(~nln\ct is mst:indecl in nccord:mce with the provisions of the first pnrnsrnph, 
the author may I'elnin any fee whkh he htl~ ~\Im}lcly be.en p"id, Should he hove sustained ~my d:.mnge ns the 
ff'-~\Ilt of the crhninnl default of the pllbllsh~r. which i¥ nQt fully compensated for by such 1'1l)'ment. ha hus the 
right to cl'lim rUt'thel' compensntion. 
ArtIdeJ7 
A publisher rnust furnish tho ~uthor with ~ written statement from the prjnt~r or other pnrly 
prodllc.~ing the copies concerning the numhN of copies produced. 
rr th~ ::lllthnr hH~ th(! right [0 remuneration nccording to the salu or rental of copies during u 
nrHlnd~11 yn:,r, thl1! plIblishe.r is responsible. for sendlns him, within rtine months of the conclulIicm of " 
fiMnc:iH\ yp.ar, Cl !>tatement showing the snles or rentuls during tho year io question nnd the rcm~lining number 
of cuplc.»l in Htock <It yenr end. 
Tn in!<tances whel'e an rllIthor is not entitled to rernunorntion. in the m::mner referred to in tho 8Qcond 
1,)llrngr}\I\h. hl~ is n(wmrhdr.ss r:ntitlr.d to n wriue.n stnt~.ment showing tho numher of" copies l'ernnlning in IIlock 
ut the end of the tlnnndnL yeaI' whon nine month!! h;we elnpsed from thut time. 
No {tuthot, CHn by contr~\l't waive the rights [0 which he is enrltled by this Article, 
Article 38 
fr t.ht~ rrluhldion (If" new edition is commenced more than one yenr after tha publication or the 
pl'eviol1~ ,~dIUc'," th(~ rlllhli.~her shall nHow the nllthor to mt,lc.e such chnnges in the w(}rk "6 do not entuil 
unrensonnble cod or ~lt.er the general nppearnnce of the work, 
Article 39 
Unless otherwise ngrccd upon, the publisher ncqllires the exclusive right [0 publish the work in the 
nlM\nCr and form pl'escribed in the l~lIhllcation t~c)ntract. Cl' a pUblisher has acquired the exclusive right to 
Dublic~\tion, then the author shnll not hav,' th" right to publish th~ worlt. nguin in the f"ortn or manllet' 
Ilre6cribed in the contract. or to nllow another PMty to do so, until the edition or' editions contc[lcted fur hnvll 
been sold In thcif ontil'ety. 
Without I1t'ejlldi'~t~ tn t.h,~ prMi!!ionll .,f the foregoing paragraph. an author shnll havo the t'ight to 
include u litel'm'y work in fill edil.l(~n M his (:(l\lecte.d or selected worb when fifteen yeurs have ol~psed fl'om 
t.ho year of the tll'st IltIhllcAUnn ltf tho work:. An author mny waive thi¥ right by agreement. Article 40 IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 13 
The publishers of Ilcws(,>llperA arId pcri()dlcltl!ol h/lve the. exclusive right to reprint thQ!,~ pub1icl\tion~. 
oither in their entirety 01' as individunl numbel'a or luuc8, 
The. right.CJ of publi'lhers shnll in no way affect tho copyriHhbl to individuAl essays, pictun;ls or other 
wc"lrh rm~!\r.nmct in n~W$pape.,'CJ (ll' periodic:nls, It Is, however, not necoU;ilry to seek the consent of kluthor8 fol' 
the reprlnl.lng r)('t'\Vi('(~d fllr IInlll:r thr! fir.~t. p;1rilgrnph, unless this has been expte:uly agreed "pon, 
The provisions of rhls Section regarding publillhing contrac:ts do not npply to cuntributions to 
nCwspapt.!ro; ;.\nJ perlodicalll except m: prescribed in the t'Irlllnnd QQcc>nd paragr:lphs, 
The provisions of Article.s 35 And 36 do not npply lo contfibutionll to composite works, 
Film contracts 
Article 41 
If :-In :t1Ithnr has under C(lntl'act mmie. n contribution to u cinematographic;: work he IMy not. lInlC88 
exprCflR l)rnvillinn nml hct'!n m:~dc tu the contrary. hinder the making of copios, thoir di$tfibution. plIbllc 
exhibition. ot' other form of commllnieallon to tho public by c;able or wireless means. /101' any ulhar use of the 
wnrlc, 
1'he p"ovisions of the first pnrngt'nph do not apply to mu~ic"l works, film manuscripts or diaJuS\les 
which hnve be.en CL'ented fOl' lIse It~ a film, not to the contribution (,)f the pdnc:ip:aL director. 
Article 42 
When a cnntrilct hHlI h('lcn concluded fl)r the use of A literary or LnasiclIl wQrk for the production of il 
cinel1\S1t.ngr:4phl(~ wnrk Fur puhlil.: exhibition. the pe.I'son acquiring the right to exploit the work In thia I'rumner 
!:hall. unl~s!l olherwillc }Ign:r.d Ilrnn, rroduce the film within !\ reasonable length of time :md see to it thAt it he 
p.xhihited, in whu(ever manner ill pnu:ticublo under the circumstQnces nnd in keeping with I\ormal practices 
regarding such wOl'ks, 
U' the film hH!I nnt. heen pmdllce.d within tive years of the time the authoL' fult1lled hill ubligations 
under the contract, he m}IY rtl!idnd the contl'nct, unJess n longer perIod of time h~s been ogreed Up(,lf'l, Vlhether 
or not the condltiol1~ for cnm!(!lIing :t contrnct nccordlng to the gOl'll,lral lUles of law hove been fulfilled. -nle 
pl'ovisions of tho llf,!(':"oncJ p~ragraph of Article 36 shall apply as appropriate. 
Spedul pruvl.!llon.!i cuncernlnl computet' ptograms 
Artlde 428 
Unless otherwise agt'ecd uron, !In Hgreement on the rlghl to the use of ;l computer progrum incllJcI~:s 
the rlllht to make those cha.nges [0 tht~ ('Irtlgnlm nece.4JSOlI'y for the USc agrl;!ed upon, without prejudice to 
Article 4, 
Actlde 4Zb 
If the creation of computer progr~lrl'l~ i~ among the obligation, of all emplOyee's contmct the 
employel' shalt hold the copyright to the progn\m ,m less reservation is mndo to the contrary. IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 14 
SECTION IV 
Duration of (:opynght 
Article 43 
Copyright. !oIh~11l 1~'!oIt until tifty YE'.;\rs have etnpsed from thu end of the yenr of the 1\uthnr'e, death, (1\ 
[he case of w()rkf4 c()vcrt~(1 hy th~ pmvisions of Article 7. the prescribed tifly.ye::u period ~hull ne. C:lIClIlatt'!ci 
fl'om the end ot' the yC~lr of thu dl!~lth of the last surviving author, 
Artldo 44 
When a work hall heen pllhllcly Pf(\)((!nted without indicntion of the authur'!; n:.me, cf, the secund 
paragraph of Alticle ~, the COI\'yright .'1h}lll hl!(t until tifty years hnve elapsed from the end of the year In which 
it W8~ first publicly pl'esenled. If such a work. nml he en pllbli~hed in seve.l"al ptlrts, which nevertheless form 
OM -.uhtl)!! with rr.gnrd to their (:on!en!s, the copyright shall h\!it fQr tifty ye.us froln the cnd of the yeal' In 
which the lnsl plll't w~\1I I)uhllidy prsl:!snted, 
If tho Huthnr il{ indi£:at.~d ill the manner l'ererted to hl the IICC(,)nc,l p.u",graph of Article 8, be:foro the 
llL"escdh~ tiny yC~lr period hm. (!I~r!ole(t. t.,r it is estnblished that the author had died befol'e the wurk was 
publicly presented, tho durAtion of <:opyright shall be tlS provided for In Article: 43, 
SECTION V 
Various rJg.bts rolat.ad to 4:opyrigbt 
Artl~le 4S 
The folluwlng actl()n!l ::Ire prohibited without the consent of tho pel'former: 
I. audio rcc(lnling!4 for the reprt:\duction of n live performance. A live performllllce meuml OIlQ 
pel'fol'med in rcrllon hy nn Hdnr, ~nd includes n brondCn9t perfQnnan~e, If a brondcuHting 
organisation hns mode a ternl'Or't'lry fllldio recording of (\ performanco in person, the bl'ondclIKting 
of that pel'fol'nuu\CI.l is subject t~l the nme pl'Ovlsions us 1$ SI live performonce; 
t the bl'oadcast M a 11 vI.! p"dorm:1nce; 
:t [he communicllt.ion of a live pel'formnnce by technical means, either by C!ubk. ~H' wh'ele~5, from 
the phlCt~ nr pmfnrm;mce to othel' specified locatil,lfls to which the pUbliC! hllll .acce6S; 
4. the c:opylnv of a recording of n pel'formllnco whkh h~s be.en Jnade with the consent of tho 
llerfonllcr, The rights of:l perfol'mer all provided fo," in .his point shllllllpply for tifty yel\rH from 
the end of the yQ~lr In which the recording wl1!llnlVJe, 
The pl'Ovl.~ic)I\!I Ill' A rlidp. 4, the first. thIrd and fourth paragr~phs of Artldo ll, the fit'st ptlrugruph 
ot' Article 14, the thil'd pnn)SrlIph nf Artide l5. Artlcl~8 18 ~md It, the second pHnlgraph of Al'UcIe 23, 
Al'ticle~ 26 tc) J I ~md Article 53, regnrdlns rccnrding, di~fribtltlon and roprQduction of performances', 5holl 
apply !1S appropriate, 
If more than twelve 11erfnl'mel's ~n' illvt.llve.d in n perCol'mance the permill!lion vf the pt'ot"e:lslomll 
ol'gnnisntion of the performel's concerned fr.u it.~ reproduction ~nd reuse Is lil.lfficicnr, provided thnt 
l'eimbllrllcm~nt is made fOl' sllch lIB~, 
Artldc 46 
'the copying of video and audio l'ecordlng, including gl'nmophoOC,l records nnd other audio 
recordln~!.I is not permitted wlthollt the consent of the ('Il'otllll:er "ntil tiny ye8r9 hll\rQ elapsed from tho end at" 
the year in which thu rt.!cording wns made. 
The pt'ovlslons of the first. third and fourth paragrnphA of Art.ide 11.. the first p~ragl'f\ph or Artide 
14, the third po.ragrtlph of Article 15, Article I R Md the second pnr~8raph of Arl!cle 23 shall apply ll:i 
uppcopl'iate. Artlcle 47 IP/N/lIISL/C/1 
Page 15 
If an allditl I'(".c:ording, \\Ihich hn.'i been plIbllshed comll'\cl'cially, i!ll u~ed within the perlod refarred to 
III Artidt~ ati, I) in hrWHI<:mlt.'t, or '2) in other [lllblic distribution of the performunce on a coml11erclaL or prutit­
making bnsis. whether lhl~ U!\c i!l direct. or in ... bro .. dcnst, the user shall be required to remunerate both 
producer and pecformel' In the fot'm of a slnglo payment. 
rllrt.h~r rIIk.~ In thi~ rt'!gard sh(lll be \"id down in n regulation to d~tctmine. in particular, who shall 
have tho right to r(lrre!{~nt performers, where two or tnore pcrt'ormerli h~ve taken port in the same 
pL:rf"rm,m(!(~, the manner in which l'emunerntion shall be collected, an~ its ~ivision between the producer and 
thn p(!rFormers, 't'ht"-se ruit".$ sh,,1l nor opply, however. If a joint ~)r8anisation of producers and performers. 
m(:tlgnb',ed by the Minister of ClIltlu'e find Education, hus ncg()ti~ted a collective (\gl~emcnt with at U6er or 
lISCtll, or if JI~p~r~lte contr:ICU: e.v:isl in indlvidllnl cases. 
With rh,! cnns(,mr. (If ;1 jc.lint orgnnisntion of performers nnd producors, ~!;I referred to in the sc(:ond 
pllragraph. prnvi!linn may m!ul~ h(l mnde in (l reSlIl:'Irion for the remullernrlon paid in lICcorcJ:mc:e with the first 
llal'ugrll,lh It) revert tn H spcch,l fund h~ving tWl,l sediong, one for ptH'formers Rnd lhl.l uthf;lr for produC-'el's, 
Custody of this fun.d nnd allocutionll fn}m itlf ~ccounts shall be provided for in a regulation with the COI\St'lnt 
of the previously mentioned orsanlsation, 
Th,: prnvi!.linnJ( nf the first paragrnph of Article 14. the third pnl'Kgrnph of Article l5 and Article 21 
shall apply a.,4l !:l.ppn)priOlte, The ~ame is true of Articles 27 to 31 with regard to p~rformers, 
The provisions of this Article do not apply to clnen\ato8r~\phic w(Jrlcs with sound track. 
Article 411 
Thc following lIctiun!l shall be prohibited without the consent of n btot\cJcn~ting ~)rs~nisQtion: 
I. [he l'~bl'oadcD8tlng (sirnulb\neOulil tnlnllmission) of a broadcl1st and its distribution by c~ble; 
1. ~1 rec()rding for the purpose of repenting n petforl1umc 8j 
3. the commercinl distribution ot' a television br()adc~atj 
4, the l'epl'Oduction or a previol1~l>, mndu recordillg of n brondcnst. The righb I;)f n brondcnstlng 
orgllllisntion I>hSlIl Inst. for n ['Inric'I<l I'lf f.'-Venty-tive ye.nI'S from the cnd uf the yenr in which tho 
brolluc(\st tuok plucc, 
The: provisions of the first paragraph of Al'tlde 11, '.h,., firll.t pl'Iragmph at" Arlicle L4, the thh'd 
pamgl'nph of Artlt.lt~ 1;4;, Artid,~s 18 and ?1 and the. second psrngraph of Article 23 shull apply M ~ppropl'iat6, 
Article 49 
~('hc reproduction of llhotogrnph!(, whk:h do not enjoy the protectIon of this Act tOl' work!! otl ~rt :'IS 
11rovldcd for In the second paragraph of Arlldu I, i8 prohibited without tho conJlent of the pholosruphor 01' the 
PlIrt,Y who hus acquired his rights. It' ~Ij(:h ~I ph(,togr;,ph is presented 10 the public on n commcrciul bnsis the 
photographer, 01' the Sl1h~t~'1"Mt hnlrli!r (.'f hi.. rights. shall be entitled to remunerntlon. The protection of u 
photognlph in nccordance with this paragmph shnllllpply IInl.II tw(!nty-five yenrs have c1up~.;~ from the end of 
the yQ~tr in which it was taken, 
The pl'ovisions ot' S~ction II of this Act shall nlRO n)'1ply tls ftPNoprinte to the photosraphs "den'cd 
to in tho fil'st p:1rogroph, 
Article SO 
A written tmc.J published work which i~ nnt prote.cted by copyright may not be reprinted or 
otherwise reproclllct' ... d lII'1t.i I tnn y"':lr8 hnve e1apse.d from tha on~ of the year of ita publicadon, 
The pl'Ovll>loll!\ or Section 11 of this Act shall apply AS appropriate, IP/NIl/ISL/CI 1 
Page 16 
SECTION VI 
Mlsc:cllnneous ptov18loDB 
Article $1 
If un 'llIthor has me!1 1\ special title, pseUdonym or i~ef\Ufying mark on a work which h:ls been 
pre.llenleci to the ['IlIhllc, no nnt~ t~ISt~ r'nfly pmllMt :i wl.lrk under a the. snme title, pseudonym or mark. ol' ono Qv 
similru' ns to cnllse cont\lsiol\ or th!.! works or th-alr authors, 
Article 52 
No on~ IllClY, without the. consent of the author, ph\C~ hi~ name Of :mthol"s Idenlifying m~rk Oil R 
work of uct, 
Nnitht~r thc~ JoIllthnr nor another pe.r~on may piece the author's ntlme or identifying mark un U 
r,~procllldi()n elf}\ \&lurk of ~rt if rh~r~ is a d,mge.I' that the reproduction might b(! confused with the orlglrull. 
Article 53 
The provisions of the second paragraph of Article 4 ~hall QPply to litel'~ry nnd artistic workM t which 
are not subject to cOPY1'ight. 
Legal,)I'ocet!dln8R 1't.~'"Ulltlns from InfringPoment nf the first parngrnph mn}' only be in.Ytig~ted nt the 
ci~m:lnd of the Minlsfel' of Culture ot\d J]dllcntiol\ If he con~ido", 8\ICh a~tio/l necessnl'y for the prutection of 
cllltllrsllntcr(,UIt~ in goner~1. 
SECTION VII 
P~nYldes, damages, c1gJm proceclul'6J$, etc, 
Article 54 
P(mHIt.ie~ for the infringement of this Act shall only be applied if (he violation comprist.'S all net of 
intent or gross negllgenco, 
Thn fnllnwing ~hnl\ he subject to fines, detenllon or imprisonment of lip to two years: 
1. nctlon~ Ulhic:h infringe the exclusive rights of authorS, ~s provided fOl'ln Arllcle 3; 
2, \/lolal\on of tha provisions of the first and second par»grflrh!J of Article 4, the second nod third 
pnfe,grnphs of Arlicle 2t'i, tho fir~r p:lfngraph of Article 28, tho first pnrll.81'uph of Article 39, 
ArtldC! :i~ lInci the directions referred to in the second parngrllph of Article 31; 
3. vlolHtiuns of the provisions or (ht~ firM. £IllrSlgnlph of Article 4.5 and the second pamgrnph Qf the 
SMnu Article, cf, l'eference!l to Artld~ 4, the first pnmsrnph of Article '28 nnd the (.!irQctions 
rcforr~J to in the second paragruph of Article 31; 
4. viol~tion of the provision!! of [he first pnmgrRIlhR of Aftides 46, 4~, 49 and SO Ilnd Articles SI 
nnd 52: 
5, the impnrtJltion into this country of cople.~ of wnrh or other produclions, which nre protected ill 
accOI'dnnce wllh Section V of this Act. if Ihe..'lc ct)pies ftre pl'oduced nbrolld under circutnatunCQS 
which. in this country, would make the prodllc,tlon (:ontrnry to law, thc~Cl copies being hhpurted 
for the purpose of public ,,)(hibition or distribution; 
6, the importation and nUU\llfl)(~lllm of equipme.nt or h.po!l for audio or video rtlcording for the 
purposfJ ut' distribution to the pllhli(:, .md the disttiblltlon of such equipment (lr tapes to the 
public without the payment of th" copyright charge rrcwided for III the third and fourth 
IH\J'nsmphs of Article 11, ot' in ['ulc.~ laid down in nccol'dartco thereof, et". the thirc.l pnr;lgr"ph of 
Article ll, 
If u c()rnpany (11' other entet'prise commit$ ~ violntion, It ahHII be liable to Il fine. Article SS IP/N/1/ISL/C/l 
Page 17 
ft' copies ot' works have been producl!t.I, Import~d Into thill country or preselltcd to the publio in 
violation to the provlglong of !hig Act or tho directions issued in accordance with the provisiona of the seconJ 
Imragrnph of Article :41, n court frISly ()ft\(!f tne Jlei7.lIre withollt pa.yment of slIch coploS in f~vollr of the Injured 
Imrl.y. or tlmt. t.hL'y hn "UlrrHnd~n!d tn him "e:tin~t p:tyment not exceeding productinn coslS, The same ~\pplicl> 
to llrlntlng I~\}\sh~r~ (lr pink.'!, phntngn'phic: plllU"_1I r,lr .'Jimilnr objects used. or cnp~lblo of being \lsed, it\ the 
prepnr"tion of pI'oduction of the offending matetial. 
A clp.(:i~inn Inny be tnlc:\'.n to destroy or otherwise make) unsorviceable for unlawful use, the objccu 
M ':llric~lI, whnJly nr ill parr. il1~te' .. 1d of $eizing or tronsferring them in ac::cordance with the provialonll uf tho 
tirst paragraph, 
Th(! pmvi!Jir>n!J of the first and second pOl'gl'Elphs shall not apply to pOnlons who hove unknowingly 
lLCl.jl,1lrc:cJ a copy or copies for pl'ivtlte use, 
Provisions regarding Sei:lllre or destruction do nl,)t .. pply to slructures. 
Article S6 
Wh~n l'n offence puniJlhublu by this Act ha$ resulted in finllncial losse, d~'mllgV& shtlll ba modI!) 
:,c(':ording to the genel':lllaws or tOl'ts, 
An :\lItl"lI;lI' or pel'fr,ll'mer shnll be nWOl'ded damages for PQin and suffering from n person whu hall 
illesnlLy Infringed hiA right/!. 
Tht~ ll\jllr,~d ('IMLy rmty hc\ }lw~mlml (Ilim~ges pllynble by the person who hng infringed his I'ighti. 
eVen If thl~ wM d(\nu unknowingly; 811(:h damages may, however. not exceed the profit gained by menns ot' 
tho uffcnce, 
Article 57 
ShCl\llcl no ngt'eeme.nt be I'enched regarding tho am.Ount of the reimbursement provided fOl' in 
A rt.idO!oI Id, 15n. 16, 17. '.0,7.1, '23,230. 2S nnd 47 either parl~ mQy lIubmit the dispute fOl' reaohltion In 0\ 
thl'(~':~rnr~nn t~nmmltt~e chosen by the Minister of Cuitllrc Ql1d Edllcation from a gl'oup of' nVC3 person& 
nomin~\t.c~d hy 'nn t:npyrieht Cnmmittee refel'I'l"cI to in Article 58. Bllfor~ i$Suin~ its ruling the Committee 
shall attempt to reconcile tht! rUlrtif..lll. The fuling of the Committee la a final YLiministfative solution tu th~ 
rli$pllte. Pnyment to cOllunlttce member!! !lilsll h~ puid by the nationnl frellllury, 
More detniled pl'Ovlltlons concorning the duties of the Committee Qhnll be laid dowll in n rcsuhltion. 
Artlde S8 
A tivo person committee of experts in the flold (\f ~~opyright, appointed by tnQ Ministel' of Culture 
and Eclucntlol\ for ~I four-YP-:if term at n lime. shull advlso him on questions of copyright, fn seleotlng thl:l 
committee the prlnr.lplll Ill1sCl(:i~tinn." of c.r,lpyright holders In tho country shall be consultec..l, Purthennore, 11 
Copyl'ight COllllcil ~h!lll ht~ (~n'Jlt(!rI. Tht:! COllndl shall be. Informed of amd discuss any queations conce1'lling 
copyriKht which al'e of ctll'rent inlereJIt. 'fh(~ C":mJndl shnll be compos('d of ropresentativell apJ}ointod h)' those 
nssoclations which have I'eceived the l'ol'mnl Itl8i11 rr.l:ognition of the Ministry fur the eXel'cilie of authurs' 
right~. u~ well as the other principal association!! or copyright holders In the country. It shall also include 
representatives of broadcasting organisations nnd othur intere.,t groups, Perllona $itting on the Copyright 
Committee shall ~llso sit on the CounciL in addition tn rMIJf)ns .,ppointed to the Council expressly by the 
Minister. 1110 Minister of Culture und Eclu(J~ti(~n, or his nppointed reprclIentutivCI, shall nct liS c::h~irrnan at 
tneetln~s oC the Council. The MinlRtor !lh~I" set more detailed provi~ions c:onceming the Copyright 
Committee and the Copyright Council. IP/N/lIISL/C/l 
Page 18 
Article 59 
Vinl:ui(,nlt nf thi~ Act $"311 be Ii:\ble. to p\lbll~ proseclltlon: un injured p;u"ty h\ay, ns t\ rllle, also 
initiute legul proccccJlngB, 
If Sin SllIt.hnr 1$1 (b~(:}I!{(~(I, th(l OlC(!.(:utor appointed as provided fot In the secund paragraph of Article 
31. ot' the author'" "POURe, pnrcnt!(. childrLln M hr<.lthen~ or sisters. mny in ncldirlon dcml\nd public pl'osecutlol\ 
ni' institute. legal proceedings us u result of an infringoment ngainllt the first or second P{lrk\Bnlph of AI'dele 4, 
thr. ~~c~nnd (lr third p<1rngrnph of Article 26. the fltst pHtllStaph of Artidf) 28 :md the directions of tho tluthor, 
ml mf(!rmd to in Ih~ $ec.()l1d pamgrnph of AI,ticle 31. 01' the performer, cf. the !iecond p:lfIlgrnph of Articlo 4S. 
PnlCl.:cding~ inllr.lt.llt£!cI u!( the result of an infringement ~nln8t the! pro\liyiuO!~ (If Article 53 shnll be 
subject to public pn)!.u~cuti()n OIt the demand of the Minister of Culture and Bducation. 
SECTION VIII 
Scope or the Ad 
Article 60 
The pI'ovisions or this Copyright Act shull .Ilpply to: 
1. works by Icelandic Ilationals: 
2. worh by t'orelgn natlol1:\ls: domiciled in this country; 
3. workS! by !lhtklcu pCrlmnll unu refugees who have their habitual residence In thiN country; 
.4. wurlcll whic.:h were first published in this country, cf, the second pnrngraph of Article 2; 
5, stl'uctme.s which have been constl1.lcted in this country and works of Hrt incorporated in them; 
6. cine.motogmphic wOI'ks. if the hend oftlcc of the Cl)mmf;lrchd enterprise of their producer ill lucOIte<.i 
in this country or the produc(3( himself Is pel'rtJanently resident in this country, 
The provisions of Article 25b apply to work!. by Icelandic n:ltionals or fore tan nationals who :\rtl 
rl"_,dc!p.nf$ (If (celnnd. The.y also ripply to works by nationalll of lIhates which grnnt sImilar prutecricm [0 
Icehmdic works, 
'The pr(lvisions of the second plltngmph of Artlclo .1. and Articles 5l to 53 shnll apply to all works 
~ovcrcu by Artide I, il'respective of theil' origin or the nntlol1ttllty of the author6, Article 61 
A, The proviHiunH ut' Articlo -15 &h~1I apply to: 
1. performances by lcclundic nationals, \Vherever they have taken placuj 
2. pel'fol'lmmces by rOl'eigll nationals and shltcalBs8 rer$ons ;lS follows: 
(a) If the pel'formnnce has taken plac8 In thi", cC)untry. IP/NIl/ISL/CI 1 
Page 19 
(h) If Jm ~lIdin recording, which is protected according to the pl'Ovidon .. of point l 
of Item C he Iow. has been made of the performance, ~)r 
(l:) if a perfurmance, of which nn nudio recording was nOl nlode, has boon 
broadcnst by n broildcastlng organlution, which is protected accordins to the 
provisions of item D below, 
B, The pl'ovisions of Article 46 1\ h11 11 apt,ly to :illdin ~nd video recordinss, Irrespective of where onc! b)' 
whom they have heen p~odllccd: right t(l remuneration os provid~.d for In the third nnd [ollrth 
pnragrtlphA of Artick 11 shHII ~flply only to I'ecordings which have bCQn made in this country ur 
in countries which grant sllnllur protection to Icel:mdic recordings, 
C. The provisions of Article 47 shnll apply to! 
1. [lC1rtnrman(:(,!!J by Icelandic narionnls. ot' which audio recordings h:.ve been made: 
2_ audio rccnrdlnglf, Hnd thC! rerrnrm",nc:("_~ which they presery~~ If the prod\Jcor is an [cell'lntlic 
national or an entcrpriso.which il:lloc~ted in this oOl1ntry. 
D. The prnvi"inns nf Artide 48 shall apply to brondcn9tlng org9.nl»atiunll fulfilling either of the 
following conditions: 
1. tht: hetl(l office of the organisntion is locnted In this country; 
?. the orgnnisnrion hus bl'ondcust through 8 tnmgmlUcr lo£;ated in this country. 
Article 610 
'rhe se.ope of this Inw mny be extenJcJ in !luch 21 manner thQt its provisions apply tu foreign 
natlnnal". nn th~ t:nndition of mlltuol protection, To thl9 cnd the government m;ty vel'lfy intcrnutional 
agreetnenlA I~rnviding fur mlltlllll flrntr.~:tinn wit.h or witt\()\1t 11 qunlification which the guvernment may deem 
appropl'intf! l1nd rMy hl~ (ll:rmittL:d ro ltd.. Mutuality, ns referred to jn this article, meanlC the requil'ement thllt 
hntde .. ~ clf t!c'l(lyriHht uf mu:h IItatp. p~,rty to the agreeme.nt enjoy the same rights in anuther state PMty to the 
Slgl'l!emMt HlI dn thl;! nat.kmall> of thnt stnte, The provisions ot this article Shl\ll be without prejudice 10 th~ 
loIflplk.ition of internationnl agreements in the field of c::opyright which have been pi'evioualy ratified by 
lc;;elnnd, 
Afttela 62 
'rht'. pl'Ovisions ot' point" 1 to 4 ot' the ficgt paragraph of Article 60 shall apply. na uppropriilte, tn 
phologrllph~ ~md printed workJl referred to in ArticLeg 49 nnd so, 
ArUcle 63 
The prnvillinn!t of thi~ Ad shnll al.so apply to litet'ary works and works of art which Wel'e cl'elllcd 
berMe thl: Ad (:J,m~ intf) force, Slime applies I'ecnl'ding perrormnnce8~ ~\lIJiu recordings :lIlO bl'ondc~ta U!! 
provided fot In Seot/on V ~If thia A~t. 
Artlc:lc 64 
Tha fullou.rinS provisli"n$ ;Ire repeulead when the pl'Ovitllonll of this Act [ak., IiItfect: 
'nle ROylll Dt.:llrco uf II Dec:ember 1869, concerning the reproducllon of photosr~ph!l, 
"nle nnnoltnCem~.nt of 10 Fcbrullry 1879, CQncernins the notit"lcRtlon of cxclulli vu rights to ths 
rcpruuuction of photogrnphs, IP/NIlIISL/CI 1 
Page 20 
L"w No, t 3 of 20 October 1905. concerning the rights of ~uthQI'$ ;tnd printero, 
Luw Nu, L 27 of g Dccambel' 194.1, c:oncel'lling I1n Annex to Lnw No. 13 of 20 October 1905, 
conc:ernillS the I'jghtll of Quthol't) Clnd pt'lntel'$. 
l..tI.w Ne), Ilc) M ItL April JCJ,L.1,lImending J K1W No. 13 of 20 October 20,1905, c:onc:erning the rights 
or t\uthQfS :lI\d prlmer£. 
AI'tide 2 of Law No, 14 of S June H>47, concornlng the J\cce~sion of Iceland to the B~rne Union. 
Lnw No, 11 of 2 Feb,'unry 1956, 1lmendlng Luw No, t 3 of 20 October l~OS, concerning tha rights 
or nlHhors nnd ptlnters, 
Finally, nil other rrovl~ll'IM of «.)Id(!r Il\ws which may connicr with the provi!)ivns of this Act, nre 
hereby rcpe:.tled. 
Article 65 
ThiH Act cumuli into rurco!C !Cix month!! after it has received officlol confirmation, 
KrJsCJ'n EldJdrn 
(L. S.)