The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research 

(202) 707-6462 (phone) • (866) 550-0442 (fax) • law@loc.gov • htt

Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selecte

(2017 Update) 

December 2017
This report is provided for reference purposes only. 

It does not constitute legal advice and does not represent the official 

opinion of the United States Government. The information provided 

reflects research undertaken as of the date of writing. 

It has not been updated.
The Law Library of Congress 1

Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions

(2017 Update)

by the Staff of the Global Legal Research Directorate

SUMMARY This report, which updates and expands on a report prepared by Law Library staff in March 2015, contains data on 131 countries, indicating whether or not published books are 

subject to a mandatory deposit requirement at the national level and, if so, how many copies are required, where they must be deposited, and whether the deposit is part of the copyright system. 

Citations to the controlling legislation for mandatory deposits are provided. In all but thirteen of the jurisdictions surveyed, deposits are required. For some of these thirteen jurisdictions, deposits 

are voluntary, while in others, no information regarding deposit practices could be found. Asterisks in the copyright system column indicate that the deposit requirement is contained in the 

copyright law. 

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Albania Yes Five Albanian National Library No* Law on the Book, No. 9616 of Sept. 27, 2006, art. 42, 

http://www.bksh.al/Pershkrimi_ligje3.html (in Albanian).

Argentina Yes Three National Library; Library of 

Congress; National Directorate of 

Copyright

Yes* Law No. 11723 on Copyright, BOLETÍN OFICIAL [B.O.], Sept. 30, 

1933, http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/ infolegInternet/anexos/40000-

44999/42755/texact.htm; Decree No. 41223 on the Regulation 

of Law No. 11723, B.O., May 7, 1934, 

http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/180000-

184999/180781/texact.htm (both in Spanish).

Armenia Yes Six Ministry of Culture, which 

distributes copies to the National 

Book Chamber, National Library, 

and other organizations

No Law No. 186 on Mandatory Copy of Documents art. 8, 

http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2396

&lang=rus (in Russian).
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Australia Yes One (including 

electronic 

publications if 

requested); 

separate 

requirements at 

state/territory 

level

National Library of Australia; 

state/territory libraries

No* (however, 

part of the 

definition of 

“National 

Library 

material” is that 

copyright 

subsists in the 

work or edition 

under the 

Copyright Act) 

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) pt X div 3, 

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00180 (relevant 

provisions amended by the Civil Law and Justice Legislation 

Amendment Act 2015 (Cth), see Kelly Buchanan, Australia: 

National Library to Implement Digital Legal Deposit from 

January 2016, GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR (July 13, 2015), 

http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/australia-nationallibrary-to-implement-digital-legal-deposit-from-january-2016/).

State/territory information available at Legal Deposit 

Requirements Australia Wide, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF 

AUSTRALIA, http://www.nla.gov.au/legal-deposit/requirementsaustralia-wide (last visited Nov. 21, 2017).

Austria Yes Varies, not more 

than seven for 

most print media 

and twelve for 

periodicals

Austrian National Library and 

university, study, or provincial 

libraries as determined by 

regulation; Library of Parliament 

and Federal Chancellery Library

upon their request

No Federal Act of June 12, 1981, on the Press and Other Publication 

Media (Media Act – MedienG), BGBL. No. 314/1981, last 

amended by BGBL. I No. 101/2014, 

https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_1981_314/ERV

_1981_314.html; Regulation of the Chancellor on the Offering 

and Legal Deposit of Printed Works, Other Audiovisual Works 

and Periodic Electronic Media According to the Media Law 

(Legal Deposit Regulation) [Pflichtablieferungsverordnung –

PflAV], BGBL. II No. 271/2009, last amended by BGBL. II No. 

95/2010, 

https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bund

esnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20006424 (in German).
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Azerbaijan Yes Fourteen, at least National Library; other 

government and research libraries; 

Baku State University Library; 

Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences

No Law on Library Activities of Dec. 29, 1998, art. 15,

http://www.e-qanun.az/framework/5041 (in Azerbaijani).

Bahrain Yes Two Department of Publication and 

Publishing at the Ministry of 

Information; Ministry of Justice 

and Religious Affairs

Yes Law No. 47 of 2002 Regulating Journalism, Printing, and 

Publishing, art. 18, 2554 OFFICIAL GAZETTE 30 (Oct. 2002), 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=189598

(in Arabic).

Bangladesh Yes One National Library of Bangladesh No* Copyright Act, 2000 (Act No. 28 of 2000), § 62, available at 

http://www.clcbd.org/document/577.html.

Belarus Yes Six One each to the Ministry of 

Information of the Republic of 

Belarus; the National Book 

Chamber; the National Library of 

the Republic of Belarus; the 

Central Scientific Library of the 

National Academy of Sciences; 

the Belarusian Institute of System 

Analysis and Information Support 

for the Scientific and Technical 

Sphere; the Republic Scientific 

Technical Library

No Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus 

on Approval of the Regulations of Compulsory, Free-of-Charge 

Copy of Documents of Sept. 3, 2008, available at 

http://rlst.org.by/izdania/ib109/380.html (in Russian).
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Belgium Yes Two Bibliothèque royale de Belgique 

(Royal Library of Belgium)

No Loi du 8 avril 1965 instituant le dépôt légal à la Bibliothèque 

royale de Belgique [Law of Apr. 8, 1965, Establishing Legal 

Deposit to the Royal Library of Belgium], 

http://www.kbr.be/collections/depot_legal/legislation/19650408f

r.pdf; Loi du 19 décembre 2006 modifiant les articles 1er et 2 de 

la loi du 8 avril 1965 instituant le dépôt légal à la Bibliothèque 

royale de Belgique [Law of Dec. 19, 2006, Modifying Articles 1 

and 2 of Law of Apr. 8, 1965, Establishing Legal Deposit to the 

Royal Library of Belgium], 

http://www.kbr.be/collections/depot_legal/legislation/Loi200612

19.pdf.

Benin Yes Four (three for 

books printed at 

less than three 

hundred copies)

Bibliothèque nationale du Benin 

(National Library of Benin)

No Ordonnance no. 75-79 du 28 novembre 1975 fixant les 

modalités du dépôt légal à la Bibliothèque nationale du 

Dahomey [Ordinance No. 75-79 of Nov. 28, 1975, Instituting 

the Means of Legal Deposit at the National Library of 

Dahomey], http://www.gouv.bj/sites/default/files/OrdonnanceN-75-79-du-28-11-1975.pdf (Dahomey was the name of Benin

until 1975).

Botswana Yes Three National Library Service Board,

Library of University of Botswana

No National Library Service Act 29 of 1967, XII LAWS OF 

BOTSWANA, Cap. 58:02 (rev. ed. 2013).

Brazil Yes One National Library of Brazil No Law on Mandatory Deposits, Law No. 10,994 of Dec. 14, 2004, 

http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-

2006/2004/Lei/L10994.htm.

Brunei 

Darussalam

Yes Three Director of Museums No Preservation of Books Act, Cap. 125, http://www.agc.gov.bn/ 

AGC %20Images/LAWS/ACT_PDF/cap125.pdf.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Bulgaria Yes Between three 

and twenty, 

depending on the 

number of copies 

issued for 

circulation

National Library No Government Decree No. 1367/1978 for Compulsory Submission 

of Printed and Other Materials arts. 1 & 5.

Burkina Faso Yes Six (four from 

authors or editors, 

and two from 

printers or 

producers)

Bibliothèque nationale du Burkina 

Faso (National Library of 

Burkina Faso)

No Loi No. 042-96/ADP du 6 novembre 1996 portant institution du 

dépôt légal au Burkina Faso [Law No. 042-96/ADP of Nov. 6, 

1996, Establishing Legal Deposit in Burkina Faso], cited in 

BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES NATIONALES QUEBEC, LES 

BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALES DE LA FRANCOPHONIE 20 (3d ed.), 

http://www.banq.qc.ca/documents/a_propos_banq/nos_publicati

ons/nos_publications_a_z/Bibliotheques_nationales_Francophon

ie.pdf (last visited Dec. 13, 2017).

Cambodia No (deposit 

system exists, 

but no legislative basis)

One National Library and Archives of 

Cambodia

No CDNLAO Questionnaire Survey on Web Archiving (Q2–Q7), 

18th CDNLAO Annual Meeting, National Diet Library (Apr.

13, 2010), http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/meetings/pdf/report_ 

Japan1_doc2.pdf. 

Cameroon Yes Six National Library of Cameroon No Décret no. 2001/957/PM du 1er Novembre 2001 fixant les 

modalités d’application de la loi no. 2000/05 du 17 avril 2000 

relative au dépôt légal [Decree No. 2001/957/PM of Nov. 1, 

2001, Instituting the Means of Application of Law No. 2000/05 

of Apr. 17, 2000, Regarding Legal Deposit], 

http://www.spm.gov.cm/fr/documentation/textes-legislatifs-etreglementaires/article/decret-n-2001957pm-du-1er-novembre2001-fixant-les-modalites-dapplication-de-la-loi-n-200005.html.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Canada Yes Two copies of all 

print publications 

when one 

hundred or more 

copies produced 

(all formats of 

each item 

published); one 

copy of each 

format of all print 

publications 

when between 

four and ninetynine copies 

produced; two 

copies on request 

when fewer than 

four copies 

produced

Library and Archives Canada No Library and Archives of Canada Act, S.C. 2004, c. 11, § 10, 

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-7.7/FullText.html; Legal 

Deposit of Publications Regulations SOR/2006-337, §§ 3 & 4, 

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2006-

337/page-1.html; see also Deposit of Physical or Analogue 

Publications, LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA, 

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/legaldeposit/Pages/physical-analogue.aspx# (last updated 

Nov. 9, 2017).

Chile Yes Five National Library No Law 19733 on Freedom of Opinion and Information and the 

Exercise of Journalism, as last amended Dec. 23, 2013, DIARIO 

OFICIAL, June 4, 2001, http://bcn.cl/1lzdz (in Spanish).

China Yes Three One copy each to National Library 

of China; Archives Library of 

Chinese Publications; and State 

Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, & Television

No Chuban Guanli Tiaoli [Regulations on Publication 

Administration] (Feb. 6, 2016), 

http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5139389.htm.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Congo,

Democratic 

Republic of 

the

Yes Eight (six to the 

National Library, 

and two to the 

National 

Legislative 

Council)

Bibliothèque nationale (National 

Library) and Conseil législatif 

national (National Legislative 

Council)

No Loi 74-003 du 2 janvier 1974 relative au dépôt obligatoire des 

publications [Law 74-003 of Jan. 2, 1974, Regarding Mandatory 

Deposit of Publications], 

http://www.leganet.cd/Legislation/Droit%20civil/Dintellectuels/

Loi.74.003.02.01.1974.htm.

Cook Islands No

Croatia Yes Ten National and University Libraries 

in Zagreb and six major regional 

libraries

No Law on Libraries arts. 37–44, OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE 

REPUBLIC OF CROATIA, Nos. 105/97, 5/98, 104/2000, 69/2009, 

76/2015, 25/2017, http://narodnenovine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/1997_10_105_1616.html

(in Croatian).

Cuba Yes Seven; one for 

non-print items

Cuba’s National Library (three 

copies), “Elvira Cape” Library 

(two copies), library where the 

publishing company is located 

(two copies)

No Decree 265 on Cuban Legal Deposit, May 20, 1999, 

http://www.socict.holguin.cu/Pdf/decreto-265-99-dep-legalbc.pdf (in Spanish). 

Cyprus Yes Three Press and Information Office No Press Law (Amendment) 84/1 of 2002, cited in Data for 

Registration in the Book Archive, PRESS AND INFORMATION 

OFFICE, https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/

8F2345FBFFFF8C24C2257C680044C4AF/$file/DATA%20FO

R%20REGISTRATION%20IN%20BOOK%20ARCHIVE.docx

(last visited Dec. 15, 2017); see also Archives—Services—

Guidelines for Book Publications, PRESS AND INFORMATION 

OFFICE, https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/pio58_en/
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 8

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

pio58_en?OpenDocument (last visited Dec. 15, 2017).

Czech 

Republic 

Yes Five National Library of the Czech 

Republic; Moravian Regional 

Library; select regional libraries

No Act No. 37/1995 on Nonperiodical Publications § 3, 

http://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/1995-37; Act No. 46/2000 on 

Rights and Duties Relating to the Publication of Periodicals and 

Amendments to Other Acts (Press Act) § 5, 

http://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/ cs/2000-46 (both in Czech).

Denmark Yes Two Royal Library; State and 

University Library

No Act No. 1439 of Dec. 22, 2004, on Mandatory Deposits of 

Published Material [Lov om pligtaflevering af offentliggjort 

materiale (Lov nr. 1439 af 22. december 2004)], http:// 

www.pligtaflevering.dk/loven; Regulation No. 636 of June 13, 

2005 on Mandatory Deposits [Bekendtgørelse om 

pligtaflevering af offentliggjort materiale (Bekendtgørelse nr. 

636 af 13. juni 2005)],

http://www.pligtaflevering.dk/loven/bekendtgoerelse.htm.

Dominica Yes Four Two copies sent to the Secretary 

to the Cabinet and two copies sent 

to the President for transmission to 

the Library of the University of 

the West Indies

No Publications Act (ch. 20:03), Act 26 of 1956, amended by Act 

13 of 1958, LAWS OF DOMINICA,

http://www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/chapters/chap20-03.pdf.

Dominican 

Republic

Yes Three National Library of the Dominican 

Republic

Yes* Dominican Republic Copyright Law arts. 156–161, 

http://cultura.gob.do/wp-content/uploads/Ley-65-00-sobreDerecho-de-Autor.pdf (in Spanish).

Egypt Yes One to ten, with 

the amount set by 

Ministry of Culture Yes* Law No. 82 of 2002 on the Protection of Intellectual Property 

Rights art. 184, al-Jarīdah al-Rasmīyah, vol. 22, June 2002, 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 9

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

government 

minister

available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=190001.

Estonia Yes Up to four, 

depending on 

type of material

National Library of Estonia and 

other designated institutions

No Legal Deposit Copy Act of June 15, 2016, § 8, 

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/514092016001/consolide

(official publication).

Ethiopia Yes Three National Archives and Library 

Agency

No Ethiopian National Archives and Library Proclamation No. 

179/1999, http://www.fsc.gov.et/content/Negarit Gazeta 

/Gazeta-1991/Proc No. 179-1999 Ethiopian National Archive s 

and Library.pdf.

Faeroe 

Islands

Yes Four Landsbókasavnið No Act No. 148 of December 20 2005 on Libraries (the Libraries 

Act) [Løgtingslóg um bókasøvn, sum broytt við løgtingslóg nr. 

148 frá 20. desember 2005], 

http://www.logir.fo/Logtingslog/79-fra-08-05-2001-umbokasovn-sum-broytt-vid-logtingslog-nr-148-fra-20-desember

(in Faeroese).

Fiji Yes Two One copy each to the University of 

the South Pacific Library and

National Archives of Fiji

No Libraries (Deposit of Books) Act 1978 (Cap. 109, LAWS OF FIJI, 

rev. ed. 1985), available at 

http://www.paclii.org/fj/legis/consol_act/loba262/.

Finland Yes Six to eight National Library, University of 

Eastern Finland Library,

Jyväskylä University Library,

Oulu University Library, 

University of Turku Library, and 

No Act 1433 of Dec. 28, 2007, on Deposit and Storage of Cultural 

Material [Laki kulttuuriaineistojen tallettamisesta ja 

säilyttämisestä 28.12.2007/1433], 

https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2007/20071433; see also 

Act 717 of Aug. 4, 2000, on Parliamentary Library [Laki 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 10

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Åbo Akademis University Library; 

in some cases copies also to 

University of Helsinki Library and 

Parliamentary Library

Eduskunnan kirjastosta, 4.8.2000/717], 

https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2000/20000717;

Regulation 774 of Dec. 12, 1980, on Mandatory Deposits 

[Vapaakappaleasetus, 5.12.1980/774], 

https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1980/19800774.

France Yes Two (one for 

books printed 

with less than 

three hundred

copies)

Bibliothèque nationale de France 

(National Library of France)

No Code du Patrimoine [Heritage Code] arts. L131-1–L132-3, 

R132-4, R132-5, 

http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do;jsessionid=0FA565

F526059E68B6DFD19E2BD726ED.tpdila15v_3?cidTexte=LE

GITEXT000006074236&dateTexte=20150310.

Gabon Yes Six (two from the 

printer and four 

from the editor)

Régie du Dépôt Légal (Legal 

Deposit Service; this appears to be 

a joint service of the Gabonese 

National Library and National 

Archives)

No Décret No. 48 du 18 février 1971 Instituant le Régime du Dépôt 

Légal [Decree No. 48 of Feb. 18, 1971, Establishing the Legal 

Deposit Scheme], 

http://www.dgabd.ga/object.getObject.do?id=185.

Gambia, The Yes Two National Library Service 

Authority

No Gambia National Library Service Authority Act 7 of 2009, 7 

LAWS OF THE GAMBIA, Cap. 48:04 (rev. ed. 2009).

Georgia Yes Thirteen printed 

and one 

electronic

National Parliamentary Library, 

plus regional and municipal 

libraries designated by law

No Law No. 2645 of Aug. 1, 2014 on Legal Deposit art. 5,

https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/download/2455838/0/en/pdf.

Germany Yes Two of printed 

works published 

German National Library 

(Deutsche Nationalbibliothek)

No Gesetz über die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek vom 22. Juni 2006 

[Law on the German National Library of June 22, 2006], BGBL. 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 11

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

in Germany; one 

of foreign printed 

works, 

translations of 

foreign-language 

works, and 

foreign-language 

printed works 

about Germany

I at 1338, as amended, http://www.gesetze-iminternet.de/dnbg/BJNR133800006.html, unofficial English 

translation available at

http://www.dnb.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/DNB/wir/dnbg.

pdf?__blob=publicationFile; Regulation on the Legal Deposit of 

Media Works in the German National Library [Verordnung über 

die Pflichtablieferung von Medienwerken an die Deutsche 

Nationalbibliothek], BGBL. I at 2013, Oct. 17, 2008, as 

amended, http://www.gesetze-iminternet.de/pflav/BJNR201300008.html; see also Legal Deposit 

Submission, DEUTSCHE NATIONAL BIBLIOTHEK, 

http://www.dnb.de/EN/Erwerbung/Pflichtablieferung/pflichtabli

eferung_node.html (last updated Feb. 9, 2015).

Ghana Yes Seven One copy each to Ghana Library 

Board; the Registrar-General;

Library of the University of 

Ghana; Library of the Kwame 

Nkrumah University of Science 

and Technology; Library of the 

University College of Cape Coast;

Library of the Ghana Academy of 

Sciences; and Library of the 

Kwame Nkrumah Institute of 

Economics and Political Science

No Book and Newspaper Registration, 1961 (Act 73),

http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/13/book-and-newspaperregistration-act.

Greece Yes Four Four copies are deposited to the 

Technical Chamber of Greece, of 

which one copy is intended for the 

No Law No. 4452/2017 on Regulation of Subjects of the State 

Language Certificate, the National Library of Greece and Other 

Provisions art. 4, para. 5, https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

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COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Parliamentary Library; the 

National Library of Greece in its 

discretion may obtain copies for 

its collection from these deposit 

copies

ekpaideuse/nomos-4452-2017-phek-17a15-2-2017.html.

Greenland Yes Three Nunatta Atuagaaleqarfia No Act. No. 8 of June 8, 2014, on Libraries (Libraries Act)

[Inatsisartutlov nr. 8 af 8. juni 2014 om biblioteksvæsenet], 

http://lovgivning.gl/lov?rid={96E50EC6-06D2-4641-8E28-

4ACAD24DF308} (in Danish).

Grenada Yes Three Governor General Yes* Copyright (Delivery of Books) Act (Cap. 68), available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=151116.

Hong Kong Yes Five Secretary for Home Affairs No Books Registration Ordinance, Cap. 142, 

https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap142!en@1998-04-

09T00:00:00.

Hungary Yes Six National Library; regional libraries No Government Decree No. 60/1998 on Legal Deposit of Printed 

Products § 5, http://www.oszk.hu/ koteles_rendelet (official 

publication, in Hungarian).

Iceland Yes Four National University Library of 

Iceland and Municipal Library of 

Akureyri

No Act No. 20 of Mar. 20, 2002, on Mandatory Deposits [Lög um 

skylduskil til safna 2002 nr. 20 20 mars], 

http://www.althingi.is/lagas/147/2002020.html (in Icelandic).

India Yes Four National Library at Calcutta and No Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 13

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

three other public libraries (Act No. 27 of 1954 as amended by Act No. 99 of 1956), §§ 2 & 

3, http://www.nationallibrary.gov.in/nat_lib_stat/pdfs/dbact.pdf.

Indonesia Yes Two National Library of Indonesia and 

the relevant regional library

No Law No. 4 of 1990 on Deposit of Printed and Recorded Works, 

http://deposit.perpusnas.go.id/undang-undang-no-04-tahun1990; Government Regulation No. 70 of 1991 on Deposit of 

Printed and Recorded Works, 

http://deposit.perpusnas.go.id/peraturan-pemerintah-no-70-

tahun-1991 (both in Indonesian).

Iran Yes “Some copies” of 

books; two copies 

of non-book

materials

State Depositary Libraries

(books); National Library (nonbook materials)

No Iranian Legal Deposit Law (1989), cited in Farzaneh 

Shadanpour et al., Building an Iran Web Archive in the National 

Library and Archives of Iran: A Feasibility Study, LIBR. PHIL. &

PRAC. (e-journal), Paper No. 726 (Apr. 1, 2012), 

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1800

&context=libphilprac.

Iraq Yes Five Depositary Center located at the 

National Library of Iraq

Yes* Law 37 of 1970 on Deposit of Intellectual Property art. 3, 1847 

OFFICIAL GAZETTE (Mar. 4. 1970),

http://www.iraqld.iq/pdf/1970/a1534.pdf (in Arabic).

Israel Yes Four at most Two copies to National Library; 

one to Parliament if needed for 

Parliament’s work, and one if 

requested by State Archivist

No Books (Duty of Deposit and Indication of Details) Law, 5761-

2000, SEFER HAHUKIM [BOOK OF LAWS] (official gazette) 5761 

No. 1767 p. 80, as amended.

Italy Yes Two Biblioteca nazionale centrale di No Law No. 106 of Apr. 15, 2004, Related to the Legal Deposit of 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 14

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Firenze (National Central Library 

of Florence) and Biblioteca 

nazionale centrale di Roma 

(National Central Library of 

Rome)

Documents of Cultural Interest for Public Use, GAZZETTA 

UFFICIALE DELLA REPUBBLICA ITALIANA [G.U.] [OFFICIAL 

GAZETTE], Apr. 27, 2004, http://www.normattiva.it/urires/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:2004-04-15;106!vig; Regulations 

of Law No. 106, Presidential Decree No. 252 of May 3, 2006, 

G.U., Aug. 18, 2006, http://www.normattiva.it/urires/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.del.presidente.della.repubblica:20

06-05-03;252!vig; Copyright Law No. 633 of Apr. 22, 1941,

G.U., July 16, 1941, available at 

http://www.altalex.com/index.php?idnot=34610 (all in Italian).

Jamaica Yes Two copies of a 

printed 

document; one 

copy of an 

audiovisual 

document

National Library of Jamaica, or 

any other library designated by the 

Minister as a legal depository

No Legal Deposit Act, No. 34 of 2002, 

http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The Legal Deposit 

Act.pdf; Legal Deposit Regulations, 2004, 

http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Legal Deposit Act

Pages.pdf.

Japan Yes One for private 

publications, 

three to thirty for 

government

agencies or public 

institutions

National Diet Library No 国立国会図書館法 [National Diet Library Act], Act No. 5 of 

1948, last amended by Act No. 59 of 2015, arts. 24 through 25-

2, http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/ S23/S23HO005.html; 

Q&A―国の機関、独立行政法人 [Q & A - National 

Government Agencies, Independent Administrative 

Organizations], National Diet Library, 

http://www.ndl.go.jp/jp/aboutus/deposit/qa02.html.

Jordan Yes One Depositary center located at the 

Jordanian National Library

Yes* Law No. 22 of 1992 on Copyright Protection art. 38, 2821 

OFFICIAL GAZETTE (Apr. 16, 1992), available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=339496
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 15

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

(in Arabic) and 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=339495

(unofficial English translation).

Kazakhstan Yes At least one to 

each designated 

recipient

All national libraries and the 

National Book Chamber

No Law No. 60 of May 5, 2017, on Amending the Law of 

Kazakhstan on Culture art. 24-2, http://online.zakon.kz/ 

Document/?doc_id=30081960#pos=659;-92 (in Russian). 

Kenya Yes Two National Library Service No Books and Newspapers Act No. 27 of 1960 (Cap. 111), 

http://www.kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/kenyalex/actview.xql?actid

=CAP.%20111.

Kiribati No

Kuwait Yes One National Kuwait Library Yes* Ministerial Resolution 30 of 2003 for the Depositary System for 

Publications, according to Law 64 of 1999 on Intellectual 

Property Rights art. 3, 624 OFFICIAL GAZETTE (July 13, 2003), 

http://lcweb5.loc.gov/glin/jurisdictions/Kuwait/pdfs/97684-

206817.pdf (in Arabic). 

Kyrgyzstan Yes Five to twenty, 

depending on 

type of 

publication

State Book Chamber; National 

Library; local and municipal 

libraries at the place of publication

No Law No. 29 of Feb. 23, 2013, on Documents’ Mandatory Copy

art. 7, available at http://medialaw.asia/posts/30-05-

2013/72074.html (in Russian).

Laos Yes Three National Library of Laos No Lao Library Law art. 17 (2012), cited in ANNUAL REPORT,

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LAOS 2015 FOR CONFERENCE OF 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 16

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

DIRECTORS OF NATIONAL LIBRARIES IN ASIA AND OCEANIA 

ANNUAL MEETING OF 2016,

http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/meetings/pdf/AR2016_Laos.pdf. 

Latvia Yes Seven National Library of Latvia No Legal Deposit Law (adopted in 2006) art. 5, 

http://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=136682 (official publication, in 

Latvian).

Lebanon Yes Five Ministry of Culture and Higher 

Education

No* (a separate 

copyright 

deposit system is 

contained in the 

legislation)

Law No. 75 of 1999 on the Protection of Literary and Artistic 

Property art. 99, 

http://www.economy.gov.lb/public/uploads/files/4600_3516_95

24.pdf (in English).

Liberia Yes Four One copy each to the Minister of 

Foreign Affairs; National Public 

Library in Monrovia; Ministry of 

Information, Cultural Affairs and 

Tourism; and University of 

Liberia Library

Yes* Patent, Copyright and Trademark Law of 1974, Title 24, 

LIBERIAN CODE OF LAWS REVISED, available at

http://www.liberlii.org/lr/legis/codes/pcatlt24lcolr604/.

Liechtenstein Yes Two copies of all 

types of media 

published by 

Liechtenstein 

citizens, even if 

published abroad. 

Electronic media 

available for paid 

Liechtenstein National Library 

(Liechtensteinische

Landesbibliothek)

No Gesetz über die Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek (LLBiG) 

[Act on the Liechtenstein National Library] art. 5, Nov. 20, 

2009, LIECHTENSTEINISCHES LANDESGESETZBLATT NUMMER

[LIECHTENSTEIN LGBL.-NR.] [LIECHTENSTEIN OFFICIAL LAW 

GAZETTE NO.] 2009.368, as amended, 

https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2009368000?version=2.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 17

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

subscription must 

be offered for 

free and 

continuous use.

Lithuania Yes Five Martynas Mažvydas National 

Library of Lithuania, Kaunas 

County Public Library; Vilnius 

University Library; Lithuanian 

Academy of Sciences Library

No Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania 

Regarding the Number of Legal Deposit Documents and Their 

Transmission to the Libraries, O.G. 1996 (in Lithuanian). 

Luxembourg Yes Four Bibliothèque nationale de 

Luxembourg (National Library of 

Luxembourg)

No Loi du 25 juin 2004 portant réorganisation des instituts culturels 

de l’Etat [Law of June 25, 2004, Reorganizing the Cultural 

Institutions of the State] art. 10, http://www.bnl.public.lu/ 

publications/loi_25_juin_2004.pdf; Règlement grand-ducal du 6 

novembre 2009 relatif au dépôt legal [Grand-Ducal Regulation 

of November 6, 2009, Regarding Legal Deposit] arts. 1–9, 

http://www.bnl.public.lu/publications/reglement_06_novembre_

2009.pdf.

Malawi Yes One Government Archivist No Printed Publications Act of 1948 (Cap. 19:01), 

http://www.sdnp.org.mw/ruleoflaw/archives/laws.html.

Malaysia Yes Five National Library of Malaysia No Deposit of Library Material Act 1986 (Act 331), § 4(1) & sch 1, 

http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LO

M/EN/Act 331 - Deposit of Library Material Act 1986.pdf. 

Mauritius Yes Six National Library of Mauritius No National Library Act No. 32 of 1996,
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 18

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/The%2

0National%20Library%20Act%201996.pdf.

Mexico Yes Two (one for 

nonprint items)

National Library and the Library 

of Congress of the Union

No Decreto por el que dispone la obligación de los editores y 

productores de materiales bibliográficos y documentales, de 

entregar Ejemplares de sus obras a la Biblioteca Nacional y a la 

Biblioteca del Congreso de la Unión [Decree Providing for the 

Duty of Publishers and Producers of Print Media to Deliver 

Issues of Their Works to the National Library and the Library of 

Congress of the Union], DIARIO OFICIAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN,

July 23, 1991, http://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo= 

4733347&fecha=23/07/1991&print=true. 

Micronesia,

Federated 

States of 

Yes Two, but the 

Attorney General 

may by regulation 

exempt or require 

deposit of only 

one copy with 

respect to any 

category

Attorney General’s Office, for use 

of or disposition by the Library of 

the Congress of the Federated 

States of Micronesia

Yes* 35 FSM Code § 118 (2014), 

http://www.fsmlaw.org/fsm/code/code2014/pdf/FSMCode2014

Tit35Chap01.pdf.

Moldova Yes Four National Book Chamber; National 

Library; Scientific Library of the 

Academy of Sciences of Moldova

No Law on Publishing Activity of Apr. 20, 2000, art. 18, 

http://lex.justice.md/index.php?action=view&view=doc&lang=1

&id=311749 (official publication, in Moldovan).

Montenegro Yes Six National Library No Law on Publishing Activity, SLUZBENY LIST, No. 30/12, art. 29, 

https://cnb.mikro.bildhosting.me/wpcontent/uploads/2014/10/ZAKON-O-IZDAVACKOJ-
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 19

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

DJELATNOSTI.pdf (in Montenegrin).

Myanmar Yes One (five under 

draft National 

Library Law)

National Library of Myanmar No Printers and Publishers Registration Act (1962), referenced in

MYANMAR COUNTRY REPORT TO CDNL-AO 2011, 19TH 

CONFERENCE OF DIRECTORS OF NATIONAL LIBRARIES IN ASIA 

AND OCEANIA (2011), 

http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/meetings/pdf/CR2011_Myanma

r.pdf; Khaing Thanda Lwin, National Library Law Aims to 

Ensure Permanent Preservation of Country’s Literary Heritage, 

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION (Aug. 23, 2015), 

http://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/?q=news/24/08/2015/id-5022. 

Namibia Yes Five National Library of Namibia No Namibia Library and Information Service Act 4 of 2000, 

http://www.lac.org.na/laws/annoNAM/LIBR ARIES (2000) -

Namibia Library and Information%2 0Service Act 4 of 2000 

(annotated).pdf.

Nauru No

New Zealand Yes Two (one if book 

exceeds NZ$1000 

[about US$730]

in price or if 

fewer than one 

hundred copies

published)

National Library of New Zealand No National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o 

Aotearoa) Act 2003, pt 4, http://legislation.govt.nz/ 

act/public/2003/0019/latest/DLM191962.html; National Library 

Requirement (Books and Periodicals) Notice 2004, 

http://legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0129/latest/DL

M257801.html.

Netherlands No (National Deposit Library for Dutch Publications, KONINKLIJKE 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 20

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Library obtains 

deposits 

through 

voluntary 

agreements 

with publishers)

BIBLIOTHEEK, https://www.kb.nl/en/organisation/forpublishers/deposit-library-for-dutch-publications (last visited 

Dec. 14, 2017) (describing voluntary deposit scheme).

Nicaragua Yes One National Library Yes* Law No. 312 of July 6, 1999, art. 130, LA GACETA (Aug. 31 & 

Sept. 1, 1999),

http://biblioteca.mti.gob.ni:8080/docushare/dsweb/Get/Legislaci

on-137/Ley 312 Ley de Derechos de Autor y Derechos 

Conexos..pdf (in Spanish).

Niue Yes Two Archives Office No Archives Act 1992, s 16A, 

http://www.paclii.org/nu/legis/consol_act/aa199298/, inserted by

Tāoga Niue Act 2012, sch 3, 

http://www.paclii.org/nu/legis/num_act/t257na2012105/. 

Norway Yes Seven National Library of Norway (two

copies); University of Oslo 

Library; University of Bergen 

Library; Norwegian University of 

Science and Technology Library;

University of Tromsø Library;

Sami Library (if work includes 

Sami language)

No Act No. 32 of June, 9, 1989, on Mandatory Deposits for 

Published Material [Lov om avleveringsplikt for allment 

tilgjengelege dokument (pliktavleveringslova) 1989-06-09-32], 

https://lovdata.no/dokument/ NL/lov/1989-06-09-32; Instruction 

No. 4696 of May 25, 1990, for Institutions that Maintain

Documents Received in Accordance with the Act on Mandatory 

Deposits [FOR-1990-05-25-4696 Instruks for institusjonar som 

forvaltar dokument innkomne etter lov om avleveringsplikt for 

allment tilgjengelege document], 

https://lovdata.no/dokument/INS/forskrift/1990-05-25-
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update) 

The Law Library of Congress 21

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES? 

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

4696?q=avleveringsplikt.

Oman Yes One The Ministry of Industry and 

Commerce

No* Decree No. 65/2008, which promulgates the Law on Protection 

of Intellectual Property Rights, art. 34, 863 OFFICIAL GAZETTE

(May 17, 2008), available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=179905

(in Arabic).

Pakistan Yes One to each 

public library 

National Library of Pakistan, 

Islamabad Public Library, and all 

other public libraries so designated 

by the federal government

No* Copyright Ordinance, No. 34 of 1962, ch. 10, available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=129351. 

Panama Yes Two Panama’s National Library and 

public libraries where the 

publishing company is located 

No Law 47 of 1946, on Education art. 151, available on the website 

of Panama’s National Library, at 

http://www.binal.ac.pa/binal/nosotros/2012-01-18-15-44-

39/que-es-depósito-legal (in Spanish). 

Papua New 

Guinea 

Yes Two National Library of Papua New 

Guinea 

No National Library and Archives Act 1993 (Act No. 31 of 1993), 

pt V, available at 

http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/nlaaa1993270/.

Philippines No Two for each 

library

National Library and the Supreme 

Court Library (“only works in the 

field of law shall be deposited 

with [the latter]”)

No* Intellectual Property Code, July 22, 1996, as amended, art. 191, 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2or2OrWYpIfN3BnNVNILU

FjUmM/view?ts=58057027. 

Poland Yes Four deposited to National Library; Jagiellonska No Law of Oct. 7, 1996 on Mandatory Library Deposits, DZIENNIK
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update) 

The Law Library of Congress 22

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES? 

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

two national 

libraries and one

to each of 

thirteen main 

provincial public 

and university 

libraries

Library (Krakow); National Film 

Library for video documents 

USTAW (official gazette) 1996, No. 152, Item 772. 

Portugal Yes Fourteen (for 

editions with 

more than one 

hundred copies) 

National Library (two copies);

Science Academy Library of 

Lisboa; General Library of the 

University of Coimbra; Municipal 

Library of Lisboa; Municipal 

Public Library of Porto; Public 

Library of Evora; General Library 

and Historical Archive of the 

University of Minho; Popular 

Library of Lisboa; Municipal 

Library of Coimbra; Library of 

Macau; Library of the Royal 

Reading Portuguese Cabinet of 

Rio de Janeiro; Autonomous 

Region of Açores; Autonomous 

Region of Madeira

No Law on Mandatory Deposits, Decree-Law No. 74 of March 3, 

1982, http://www.bnportugal.pt/ 

images/stories/servicos/documentos/dl7482.pdf. 

Qatar No (publishers 

“may” deposit 

copies when 

registering for 

Two The Office of Protection of 

Copyright and Related Rights at 

the Ministry of Justice 

Yes* Law 7 of 2002 on Protection of Copyright and Related Rights 

art. 45, 7 OFFICIAL GAZETTE (Aug. 3, 2002), 

http://www.almeezan.qa/LawPage.aspx?id=2637&language=ar

(in Arabic). 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 23

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

copyright)

Romania Yes Seven National Library of Romania No Law No. 111/1995 Regarding the Legal Deposit of Documents 

art. 7, http://www.bibnat.ro/dyn-doc/lege-DL.pdf (in Romanian).

Russia Yes Twenty-two Federal Agency for Press and 

Mass Communications; the 

government news agency ITARTASS; regional and municipal 

libraries

No Federal Law of Dec. 29, 1994, No. 77-FZ on the Mandatory 

Deposit Copy art. 7, available at http://base.garant.ru/103526/

(in Russian).

Samoa No

Saudi Arabia Yes Eight National Library (five copies); 

Arts and Cultural

Association (three copies)

Yes* Royal Decree No. 11 of 1989 (Dec. 18, 1989), as amended by 

Royal Decree No. 41 of 2003, on Protection of Intellectual 

Property Rights art. 26(3), available at 

http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/ar/sa/sa015ar.pdf

(in Arabic). 

Senegal Yes Four Bibliothèque nationale (National 

Library) (two copies); Archives 

nationales (National Archives);

Service des échanges (Exchange 

Services)

No Loi no. 76-30 du 9 avril 1976 instituant le dépôt légal [Law No. 

76-30 of Apr. 9, 1976, Establishing Legal Deposit], cited in 

BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES NATIONALES QUEBEC, LES 

BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALES DE LA FRANCOPHONIE 106 (3d ed.) 

http://www.banq.qc.ca/documents/a_propos_banq/nos_publicati

ons/nos_publications_a_z/Bibliotheques_nationales_Francophon

ie.pdf (last visited Dec. 13, 2015).

Serbia Yes Six National Library of Serbia; No Law on Mandatory Copy of Publications, OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 24

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Library of Matica Srpska THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA, No. 52/2011, art. 7, 

http://www.paragraf.rs/propisi/zakon_o_obaveznom_primerku_

publikacija.html (in Serbian).

Seychelles Yes Three Seychelles National Library No National Library Services Act 7 of 2010, 

http://www.seylii.org/sc/legislation/act/2010/7.

Sierra Leone Yes Three Trustees of the British Museum;

Council of the University College 

of Sierra Leone; National Library 

No Publications Act No. 18 of 1962, in LEGISLATION OF SIERRA 

LEONE (1962).

Singapore Yes Two National Library Board No National Library Board Act, ch. 197, searchable at Singapore 

Statutes Online, http://statutes.agc.gov.sg.

Slovakia Yes Up to eleven, 

depending on the 

type of 

publication

National Library; Bratislava 

University Library; other libraries 

as defined by law for individual 

publications

No Law 289/2013 on Compulsory Deposit of Periodic, NonPeriodic and Audiovisual Materials, attachments 1 & 2,

available at http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_ 

id=416664 (in Slovak).

Slovenia Yes Four to sixteen National Library and university 

libraries

No Obligatory Copy of a Publication Act art. 5, OFFICIAL GAZETTE 

OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, Nos. 69/2006 & 86/2009, 

http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO3606

(in Slovenian).

Solomon 

Islands 

Yes One University of the South Pacific, 

Solomon Islands Centre

No Libraries (Deposit of Books) Act (Act 4 of 1972) (Cap. 70, 

Laws of Solomon Islands, 1996 ed.), available at 

http://www.paclii.org/sb/legis/consol_act/loba262/.

South Africa Yes Maximum of five City Library Services No Legal Deposit Act No. 54 of 1997, Nov. 14, 1997, 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 25

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

(Bloemfontein); Library of 

Parliament (Cape Town); Natal 

Society Library 

(Pietermaritzburg); South African 

Library (Cape Town); State 

Library (Pretoria) 

http://www.nlsa.ac.za/downloads/LEGAL%20DEPOSIT%20A

CT.pdf.

South Korea Yes Three copies for 

the government 

and other public 

agencies, one for 

certain digital 

files

National Library of Korea No Library Act (Act No. 8029, Oct. 6, 2006, amended by Act No. 

13960 Feb. 3, 2016) art. 20; Enforcement Decree of Library Act, 

Presidential Decree No. 19963, Mar. 27, 2007, amended by 

Presidential Decree No. 28211, July 26, 2017, art. 13. 

Spain Yes Two for first 

editions, one for 

other works

National Library and libraries of 

the Autonomous Communities

No Law 23/2011 on Legal Deposit, BOLETIN OFICIAL DEL ESTADO,

July 30, 2011, http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2011/ 

07/30/pdfs/BOE-A-2011-13114.pdf.

Sri Lanka Yes Five National Archives of Sri Lanka 

and four other institutions

No Printers and Publishers Ordinance, No. 01 of 1885, available at 

http://www.srilankalaw.lk/Volume-VI/printers-and-publishersordinance.html.

Sweden Yes Seven National Library of Sweden; 

Göteborg University Library; 

Linköpings University Library; 

Lund University Library; 

Stockholms University Library; 

Umeå University Library; Uppsala 

No LAGEN OM PLIKTEXEMPLAR [ACT ON LEGAL DEPOSIT] (Svensk 

författningssamling 1993:1392), 

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/DokumentLagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattning ssamling/Lag-19931392-ompliktexempl_sfs-1993-1392/?bet=1993:1392.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 26

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

University Library

Switzerland No (legal 

deposit is not a 

federal 

obligation, but 

the Swiss 

National 

Library has 

entered into 

voluntary 

agreements 

with the two 

main publishing 

associations to 

obtain 

deposits.)

Swiss Publications, SWISS NATIONAL LIBRARY, 

https://www.nb.admin.ch/snl/en/home/collections/helvetica/swis

s-publications.html (last modified June 27, 2016) (describing 

voluntary deposit scheme).

Taiwan Yes Two One copy each to National Library 

and Legislative Yuan 

Parliamentary Library

No Library Act (Feb. 4, 2015), 

http://law.moj.gov.tw/Eng/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?PCode=H00

10008.

Tajikistan Yes Four Ministry of Culture; State 

Enterprise Tajik House of Books 

No List of Recipients of Mandatory Free Deposit Copies, approved 

by Government Regulation No. 453 of Aug. 31, 2012 at

http://base.spinform.ru/show_red.fwx?rid=24336. 

Tanzania 

(Mainland) 

Yes No information 

located

No information located No Publications (Compulsory Deposit) Act of 1963, VIII LAWS OF 

TANZANIA, Cap. 294 (rev. ed. 2010).
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 27

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

Thailand Yes Two National Library of Thailand No Printing Recordation Act, B.E. 2550 (2007), § 9, 

http://web.krisdika.go.th/data/outsitedata/outsite21/file/Printing_

Recordation_Act_BE_2550_(2007).pdf.

Togo Yes Eight Bibliothèque nationale (National 

Library) (four copies), Ministry of 

the Interior (two copies), and 

Ministry of Communications (two

copies)

No Loi No. 98-004 du 11 février 1998 portant code de la presse et 

de la communication en République Togolaise [Law No. 98-004 

of Feb. 11, 1998, Establishing a Press and Communications 

Code in the Togolese Republic], 

http://www.legitogo.gouv.tg/annee_txt/1998/Pages%20from%2

0jo_1998-005-4.pdf.

Tokelau No

Tonga No

Trinidad and 

Tobago

Yes One copy of 

every literary or 

musical work, 

audiovisual 

production, and 

sound recording

As designated by Minister 

responsible for library services, 

who may, by order, designate any 

library as a legal depository and 

specify, in relation to each such 

legal depository, the categories of 

literary or musical works, audiovisual productions or sound 

recording, a copy of which shall 

be deposited with that depository

No Publications (Legal Deposit) Act, LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND 

TOBAGO, Chap. 82:74, 

http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/

82.74.pdf.

Turkey Yes Six (two for 

nonprint items)

National Library; Beyazıt State 

Library; Grand National Assembly 

Yes* Law on Deposit of Replicated Intellectual and Artistic Works 

[Çoğaltılmış Fikir ve Sanat Eserlerini Derleme Kanun], No. 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 28

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

of Turkey Library and Archive 

Services Department; Istanbul 

University Library and 

Documentation Department; Izmir 

National Library; and a library in 

Ankara to be determined by the 

Ministry of Culture and Tourism

6729, 28219 RESMȊ GAZETE [OFFICIAL GAZETTE], Feb. 29, 

2012, http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/02/20120229-

1.htm; Regulations on Deposit of Replicated Intellectual and 

Artistic Works [Çoğaltılmış Fikir ve Sanat Eserlerini Derleme 

Yönetmeliği], 28388 RESMÎ GAZETE, Aug. 18, 2012, 

http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/08/20120818-9.htm.

Tuvalu No

Uganda Yes Two Library of Makerere University;

Deposit Library and 

Documentation Centre

No Makerere University (Deposit Library) Act of 1958, available at 

https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/consolidated-act/133; Deposit 

Library and Documentation Centre Act 38 of 1969, available at 

https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/consolidate d-act/125.

Ukraine Yes One to each of 

ten national 

institutions, plus 

specialized and 

regional libraries 

defined by law

National Book Chamber, National 

Library; State Department for 

Intellectual Property Protection;

specialized libraries

No Law No. 595-XIV of Apr. 9, 1999 on Mandatory Deposit of 

Documents art. 8, 

http://search.ligazakon.ua/l_doc2.nsf/link1/T990595.html; 

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 608 of May 10, 2002, 

http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/608-2002-%D0%BF (both 

in Ukrainian).

United Arab 

Emirates

No Ten Ministry of Information and 

Culture

Yes* Federal Law 40 of Law 1992 (Sept. 28, 1992) art. 34, available 

at http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/ae/ae024en.pdf.

United 

Kingdom 

Yes One to British 

Library; one to 

five other 

libraries if 

British Library; National Library 

of Scotland; National Library of 

Wales; Bodleian Libraries, 

Oxford; University Library, 

No Legal Deposit Libraries Act, 2003, c. 28, 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/28.
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 29

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

requested. 

Includes material 

published 

electronically. 

Cambridge; Library of Trinity 

College, Dublin 

United States Yes Two, except for 

certain categories 

of works

Copyright Office, for use of or 

disposition by the Library of 

Congress

No* (mandatory 

deposit and 

copyright 

registration 

deposit are 

separate legal 

requirements, 

although the 

former may 

satisfy the latter)

17 U.S.C. § 407 (2012) (mandatory deposit), 

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelimtitle17-section407&num=0&edition=prelim; 17 U.S.C. § 408(b) 

(2012) (deposit for copyright registration, which may be 

satisfied by mandatory deposit), 

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelimtitle17-section408&num=0&edition =prelim; see also

Mandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library 

of Congress, US COPYRIGHT OFFICE,

http://copyright.gov/circs/circ07d.pdf (last updated Sept. 2017).

Uzbekistan Yes Two National Library of Uzbekistan 

and the regional library and 

bibliographic center at the place of 

publication

No Law No. 280 of April 13, 2011, on Information and Library 

Activities arts. 10 & 11, http://senat.uz/ru/laws/zru280_13.04.2011.html (in Russian).

Vanuatu Yes One Vanuatu Cultural Center (National 

Library)

No Deposit of Books Act (Cap. 88, Laws of Vanuatu, 2006 ed.), 

http://www.paclii.org/vu/legis/consol_act/doba178/; Deposit of 

Books (Designation of Place and Person) Order (Order 18 of 

1992), http://www.paclii.org/vu/legis/consol_sub/dobopap411/.

Vietnam Yes Three before 

release and five 

after; if less than 

Ministry of Culture and 

Communication or Provincial 

People’s Committee before 

No Law on Publication, No. 30/2004/QH11, art. 27, 

http://moj.gov.vn/vbpq/en/lists/vn bn php 

lut/view_detail.aspx?itemid=7315. 
Mandatory Deposit Laws in Selected Jurisdictions (2017 Update)

The Law Library of Congress 30

COUNTRY DEPOSIT 

REQUIRED?

NUMBER OF

COPIES?

WHERE DEPOSITED? PART OF 

COPYRIGHT 

SYSTEM?

LAW

three hundred 

released, only 

two copies before 

and two after

release; National Library of 

Vietnam

after release

Yemen Yes Five Ministry of Information; Ministry 

of Culture; National Library 

No Law No. 25 of 1990 on Regulating Publication and the Press 

(Dec. 23, 1990) art. 97, available at 

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=237501

(in Arabic); unofficial English translation available at http://albab.com/yemen-law-no-25-1990-press-and-publications. 

Zambia Yes One National Archives of Zambia No Printed Publications Act of 1947 (Cap. 161), available at 

https://www.zambialii.org/zm/legislation/consolidated_act/161.

Zimbabwe Yes Three One copy each to the National 

Archives, National Library and 

Documentation Service, and 

Bulawayo Public Library

No Printed Publications Act 12 of 1975 (Title 25, Cap. 25:14), 

http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/zw/zw029en.pdf.