Source: https://www.copyright.ru/ru/library/zakonodatelstvo/zarubezhnoe_zakonodatelstvo/zakon_germanii_ob_avtorskom_prave/
Timestamp: 2018-10-17 00:35:18
Document Index: 690191638

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 1', 'Art.2', 'Art. 3', 'Art. 4', 'Art. 5', 'Art. 6', 'Art. 7', 'Art. 8', 'Art. 9', 'Art. 10', 'Art. 11', 'Art. 12', 'Art. 13', 'Art. 14', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 16', 'Art.17', 'Art. 18', 'Art. 19', 'Art. 20', 'Art. 20', 'Art. 20', 'Art. 21', 'Art. 22', 'Art. 23', 'Art. 24', 'Art. 25', 'Art. 26', 'Art. 27', 'Art. 28', 'Art. 29', 'Art. 30', 'Art. 31', 'Art. 32', 'Art. 33', 'Art. 34', 'Art. 35', 'Art. 36', 'Art. 37', 'Art. 38', 'Art. 39', 'Art. 40', 'Art. 41', 'Art. 42', 'Art. 43', 'Art. 44', 'Art. 45', 'Art. 46', 'Art. 47', 'Art. 48', 'Art. 49', 'Art. 50', 'Art. 51', 'Art. 52', 'Art. 53', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 54', 'Art. 55', 'Art. 55', 'Art. 56', 'Art. 57', 'Art. 58', 'Art. 59', 'Art. 60', 'Art. 61', 'Art. 62', 'Art. 63', 'Art. 64', 'Art. 65', 'Art. 66', 'Art. 67', 'Art. 68', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 70', 'Art. 71', 'Art. 72', 'Art. 73', 'Art. 74', 'Art. 75', 'Art. 76', 'Art. 77', 'Art. 78', 'Art. 79', 'Art. 80', 'Art. 81', 'Art. 82', 'Art. 83', 'Art. 84', 'art 1', 'Art. 85', 'art 1', 'Art. 86', 'Art. 87', 'art 1', 'Art. 87', 'Art. 87', 'Art. 87', 'Art. 87', 'Art. 87', 'Art. 88', 'Art. 89', 'Art. 90', 'Art. 91', 'Art. 92', 'Art. 93', 'Art. 94', 'art 1', 'Art. 95', 'Art. 96', 'Art. 97', 'Art. 98', 'Art. 99', 'Art. 100', 'Art. 101', 'Art. 101', 'Art. 102', 'Art. 103', 'Art. 104', 'Art. 105', 'Art. 106', 'Art. 107', 'Art. 108', 'Art. 108', 'Art. 109', 'Art. 110', 'Art. 111', 'Art. 111', 'Art. 112', 'Art. 113', 'Art. 114', 'Art. 115', 'Art. 116', 'Art. 117', 'Art. 118', 'Art. 119', 'Art. 120', 'Art. 121', 'Art. 122', 'Art. 123', 'Art. 124', 'Art. 125', 'Art. 126', 'Art. 127', 'Art. 127', 'Art. 128', 'Art. 129', 'Art. 130', 'Art. 131', 'Art. 132', 'Art. 133', 'Art.134', 'Art. 135', 'Art. 135', 'Art. 136', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 137', 'Art.137', 'Art. 137', 'Art. 138', 'Art. 139', 'Art. 142', 'Art. 143']

Urheberechtsgesetzes German title: Urheberechtsgesetzes vom 9. September 1965.
Entry into force (of last amending law): May 8, 1998.
Source: Communication from the German authorities.
от 9 сентября 1965 года
Part I. Copyright.
Part II. Neighboring Rights.
Part III. Special Provisions on Films.
Part IV. Common Provisions on Copyright and Neighboring Rights.
Part V. Scope of Application. Transitional and Final Provisions.
Art. 1. Authors of literary, scientific and artistic works shall enjoy protection for their works in accordance with this Law.
Art.2-(1) Protected literary, scientific and artistic works shall include, in particular:
works of language, such as writings, speeches and computer programs;
photographic works, including works produced by processes similar to photography;
cinematographic works, including works produced by processes similar to cinematography;
illustrations of a scientific or technical nature, such as drawings, plans, maps, sketches, tables and three-dimensional representations.
(Amended by the Law of June 24, 1985, and by the Law of June 9, 1993.)
Art. 3. Translations and other adaptations of a work which constitute personal intellectual creations of the adapter shall enjoy protection as independent works without prejudice to copyright in the work that has been adapted. Insignificant adaptations of a non-protected musical work shall not enjoy protection as independent works.
(Amended by the Law of June 24, 1985.)
Art. 4.-(1) Collections of works, data or other independent materials which, by reason of their selection or arrangement, constitute personal intellectual creations (collections) shall enjoy protection as independent works without prejudice to any copyright or neighbouring rights subsisting in individual materials.
(2) For the purpose of this law, " database " shall mean a collection of which the materials are arranged in a systematic or methodical way and are individually accessible with the help of electronic or other means. A computer program used to create a database or to enable access to its materials (Section 69(a)) shall not be deemed a part of the database.
(Amended by the Law of July 22, 1997)
Art. 5.-(1) Laws, ordinances, official decrees and notices as also decisions and official grounds of decisions shall not enjoy copyright protection.
(2) The same shall apply to other official works published in the official interest for public information, with the condition that the provisions of Article 62(1) to (3) and Article 63 (1) and (2) concerning prohibited alterations and acknowledgment of sources shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Published Works and Released Works
Art. 6.-(1) A work shall be deemed published if, with the consent of the copyright owner, it has been made accessible to the public.
Art. 7 The person who creates the work shall be deemed the author.
Art. 8.-(1) If several persons have created a work jointly, and their respective contributions cannot be separately exploited, they shall be deemed the joint authors of the work.
Authors of Compound Works
Art. 9. If several authors have combined their works for exploitation in common, each of them may require from the others their consent to the publication, exploitation or alteration of the compound works, if such consent may be reasonably demanded of them.
Art. 10.-(1) In the absence of proof to the contrary, the person designated in the customary manner as the author on copies of a work which has been published or on the original of a work of fine art shall be deemed the author of the work; the same shall apply to a designation which is known as the author's pseudonym or the artist's mark.
Art. 11. Copyright shall protect the author with respect to his intellectual and personal relationship with his work, and also with respect to utilization of his work.
Art. 12.-(1) The author shall have the right to decide whether and how his work is to be published.
Art. 13. The author shall have the right of recognition of his authorship of the work. He may decide whether the work is to bear an author's designation and what designation is to be used.
Distortion of the Work
Art. 14. The author shall have the right to prohibit any distortion or any other mutilation of his work which would jeopardize his legitimate intellectual or personal interests in the work.
Art. 15.-(1) The author shall have the exclusive right to exploit his work in material form; his right shall comprise in particular:
the right of reproduction (Article 16);
the right of distribution (Article 17);
the right of recitation, performance and presentation (Article 19);
the right of broadcasting (Article 20);
the right of communication by means of video or audio recordings (Article 21);
the right of communication of broadcasts (Article 22).
Art. 16.(1) The right of reproduction is the right to make copies of the work by whatever method and in whatever quantity.
Art.17.(1) The distribution right shall be the right to offer to the public or to put into circulation an original work or copies thereof.
(2) If an original work or copies thereof have been put into circulation by way of sale with the consent of the person entitled to distribute the work in the territory of the European Union or of another contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, their future distribution shall be permissible, with the exception of rental.
(3) For the purposes of this Law, "rental" means making available for use for a limited period of time and for direct or indirect commercial purposes. However, the making available of original works or copies thereof,
of architecture and of applied art; or
under an employment or service relationship for the exclusive purpose of being used in execution of duties under the employment or service relationship,
shall not be deemed to be rental.
(Amended by the Law of June 23, 1995)
Art. 18. The right of exhibition is the right to place on public view the original or copies of an unpublished work of fine art or of an unpublished photographic work.
Art. 19.(1) The right of recitation is the right of live delivery to the public of a work of language.
Art. 20. The right of broadcasting is the right to make a work accessible to the public by broadcasting, such as radio or television transmission, satellite broadcasting, cable broadcasting or by other similar technical devices.
(Amended by the Law of May 8, 1998)
European Satellite Broadcasts
Art. 20 a.-(1) If a satellite broadcast is effected within the territory of a Member State of the European Union or a Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, such broadcast shall be deemed to have occurred exclusively in that Member State or Contracting State.
(2) If a satellite broadcast is effected on the territory of a State that is neither a Member State of the European Union nor a Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and in which satellite broadcasting rights do not enjoy the level of protection provided for under Chapter II of Council Directive 93/83/EEC of September 27, 1993 on the coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission ( Official Journal of the European Communities (OJ) No. L 248 p.15), such broadcast shall be deemed to have occurred in the Member State or Contracting State.
in which is located the uplink station from which the program-carrying signals are transmitted to the satellite; or
in which the broadcasting organization has its establishment, if the circumstance under item 1 does not apply.
The right of broadcasting shall be assertable in the case under item 1 against the operator of the uplink station and in the case under item 2 against the broadcasting organization.
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), "satellite broadcast" shall mean the introduction, under the control and responsibility of the broadcasting organization, of program-carrying signals intended for reception by the public into an uninterrupted chain of communication leading to the satellite and down towards the earth.
(Added by the Law of May 8, 1998)
Art. 20 b.-(1) The right to retransmit a broadcast work as part of a simultaneous, unaltered and unabridged program retransmitted by a cable or microwave system (cable retransmission), may only be asserted by a collecting society. This shall not apply to rights asserted by a broadcasting organization in relation to its own broadcasts.
(2) Where an author has transferred his right of cable retransmission to a broadcasting organization or to a producer of sound recordings or films, the cable operator shall nevertheless pay equitable remuneration for the cable retransmission to the author. The claim to remuneration may not be waived. It may be assigned in advance only to a collecting society and asserted only by such society. This provision shall not preclude collective agreements and works agreements of the broadcasting organizations providing such agreements afford equitable remuneration to the author for each cable retransmission.
(Added by the Law of May 8, 1998.)
Right of Communication by Video or Audio Recordings
Art. 21. The right of communication by audio or video recordings is the right to make recitations or performances of a work perceivable to the public by means of video or audio recordings. Article 19(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Art. 22. The right of communication of broadcasts is the right to make broadcasts of a work perceivable to the public by means of screen, loudspeaker or similar technical device. Article 19(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Art. 23. Adaptations or other transformations of a work may be published or exploited only with the consent of the author of the adapted or transformed work. In the case of cinematographic adaptations of a work, of the execution of plans and sketches for a work of fine art, of copies of an architectural work or of adaptations or transformations of a database, the author's consent shall be required for the making of such adaptation or transformation.
Art. 24.(1) An independent work created by free use of the work of another person may be published and exploited without the consent of the author of the used work.
Art. 25.(1) The author may require the owner of the original or of a copy of his work to afford him access to the original or the copy, provided it is necessary for making reproductions or adaptations of the work and is not opposed by any legitimate interest of the owner.
Art. 26.(1) If the original of a work of fine art is resold and if an art dealer or an auctioneer is involved as purchaser, vendor or agent, the vendor shall pay to the author a share amounting to five percent of the selling price. There shall be no such obligation if the selling price is less than 100 German marks.
(Amended by the Law of November 10, 1972.)
Remuneration for Rental and Lending
Art. 27.-(1) Where an author has transferred his rental right (Article 17) in a video or audio recording to the producer of the audio recording or film, the renter shall nevertheless pay equitable remuneration for the rental to the author. The claim to remuneration may not be waived. It may be assigned in advance only to a collecting society.
(2) For the lending of original works or copies thereof in respect of which further distribution is permitted under Article 17(2), an equitable remuneration shall be paid to the author if the original work or copies thereof are lent through an institution accessible to the public (library, collection of video or audio recordings or other original works or copies). For purposes of the first sentence, "lending" means making available for use for a limited period of time and not for direct or indirect commercial purposes; the second sentence of Article 17(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(3) Claims to remuneration under paragraphs (1) and (2) may only be asserted through a collecting society.
(Amended by the Law of November 10, 1972, and by the Law of June 23, 1995.)
Art. 28.-(1) Copyright may be transferred by inheritance.
Art. 29. Copyright may be transferred in execution of a testamentary disposition or to co-heirs as part of the partition of an estate. Copyright shall not otherwise be transferable.
Successor in Title of Author
Art. 30. In the absence of any stipulation to the contrary, the successor in title of the author shall have the rights afforded the author by this Law.
Granting of Exploitation Rights
Art. 31.-(1) The author may grant a right to another to use the work in a particular manner or in any manner (exploitation right). An exploitation right may be granted as a non-exclusive right or as an exclusive right.
Limitation of Exploitation Rights
Art. 32. An exploitation right may be limited in respect of place, time or purpose.
Continuing Effect of Non-Exclusive Exploitation Rights
Art. 33. A non-exclusive exploitation right which the author has granted prior to granting an exclusive exploitation right shall remain effective with respect to the holder of the exclusive exploitation right in the absence of any contrary agreement between the author and the holder of the non-exclusive exploitation right.
Art. 34.-(1) An exploitation right may be transferred only with the author's consent. The author may not unreasonably refuse his consent.
Grant of Non-Exclusive Exploitation Rights
Art. 35.-(1) The holder of an exclusive exploitation right may grant non-exclusive rights only with the author's consent. No consent shall be required if the exclusive exploitation right was granted exclusively for the administration of the author's interests.
(2) The provisions of Article 34(1) second sentence, (2) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Author's Participation
Art. 36.-(1) If an author has granted an exploitation right to another party on conditions which cause the agreed consideration to be grossly disproportionate to the income from the use of the work, having regard to the whole of the relationship between the author and the other party, the latter shall be required, at the demand of the author, to assent to a change in the agreement such as will secure for the author an equitable share of the income having regard to the circumstances.
Agreements to Grant Exploitation Rights
Art. 37.-(1) If an author grants to another an exploitation right in his work, he shall be deemed in case of doubt to have retained his right to authorize the publication or exploitation of any adaptation of the work.
Art. 38.-(1) If an author consents to inclusion of his work in a collection which appears periodically, the publisher or editor shall be deemed in case of doubt to have acquired an exclusive right of reproduction and distribution. However, the author may otherwise reproduce and distribute the work on expiry of one year from the date of release, unless otherwise agreed.
(3) If a contribution is made available to a newspaper, the publisher or editor shall be deemed to have acquired a nonexclusive exploitation right, unless otherwise agreed. If the author grants an exclusive exploitation right, he shall be entitled, immediately after the appearance of the contribution, to otherwise reproduce and distribute his work, unless otherwise agreed.
Alteration of Work
Art. 39.-(1) The holder of an exploitation right may not alter the work, its title or the designation of author (Article 10(1)), unless otherwise agreed.
Agreements as to Future Works
Art. 40.-(1) Agreements by which an author undertakes to grant exploitation rights in future works which are in no way specified or only referred to by type shall be in writing. They may be terminated by either party after a period of five years from conclusion of the agreement. Six months notice of termination shall be given, if no shorter period has been agreed.
Right of Revocation for Non-Exercise
Art. 41.-(1) If the holder of an exclusive exploitation right does not exercise such right or exercises it insufficiently, and if thereby serious injury is caused to the author's legitimate interests, the latter may revoke the exploitation right. This shall not apply if non-exercise or insufficient exercise is mainly due to circumstances which the author can reasonably be expected to remedy.
Right of Revocation for Changed Conviction
Art. 42.-(1) An author may revoke an exploitation right if the work no longer reflects his conviction and he therefore can no longer be expected to agree to the exploitation of the work. The author's successor in title (Article 30) may exercise such right of revocation only if he proves that prior to his death the author would have been entitled to revoke and was prevented from so doing or that he has done so by testamentary disposition.
Art. 43. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply if the author has created the work in execution of his duties under a contract of employment or service provided nothing to the contrary transpires from the terms or nature of the contract of employment or service.
Sale of the Original of a Work
Art. 44.-(1) If the author sells the original of a work, he shall not be deemed in case of doubt to have thereby granted an exploitation right to the acquirer.
Art. 45.-(1) It shall be permissible to make or cause to be made copies of a work for use in proceedings before a court, an arbitration tribunal or a public authority.
Collections for Religious, School or Instructional Use
Art. 46.-(1) Reproduction and distribution shall be permissible where limited parts of works, of works of language and of musical works, individual works of fine art or individual photographs are incorporated after their publication in a collection which assembles the works of a considerable number of authors and is intended, by its nature, exclusively for religious, school or instructional use. The purpose for which the collection is to be used shall be clearly stated on the title page or some other appropriate place.
(Amended by the Law of November 10, 1972)
Art. 47.-(1) Schools and institutions for the training and further training of teachers may make individual copies of works which are included in a school broadcast by recording the works on a video or audio medium. The same shall apply to youth welfare homes and to the official provincial pictorial materials services or comparable publicly owned institutions.
Art. 48.-(1) It shall be permissible:
to reproduce and distribute in newspapers, periodicals or other information journals which mainly record current events, speeches on issues of the day made at public meetings or in broadcasting and to communicate such speeches to the public;
to reproduce, distribute and communicate to the public speeches made at public proceedings in State, local government or religious bodies.
Newspaper Articles and Broadcast Commentaries
Art. 49.-(1) It shall be permissible to reproduce and distribute individual broadcast commentaries and individual articles from newspapers and other information journals devoted solely to issues of the day in other newspapers or journals of like kind and to communicate such commentaries and articles to the public, if they concern political, economic or religious issues of the day and do not contain a statement reserving rights. The author shall be paid equitable remuneration for reproduction, distribution and public communication, unless short extracts from a number of commentaries or articles are reproduced, distributed or publicly communicated in the form of an overview. Claims may be asserted by a collecting society only.
Visual and Sound Reporting
Art. 50. For the purposes of visual and sound reporting on events of the day by broadcast or film and in newspapers or periodicals mainly devoted to current events, works which become perceivable in the course of the events which are being reported on may be reproduced, distributed and publicly communicated to the extent justified by the purpose of the report.
Art. 51. Reproduction, distribution and communication to the public shall be permitted, to the extent justified by the purpose, where:
individual works are included after their publication in an independent scientific work to illustrate its contents;
passages from a work are quoted after its publication in an independent work of language;
individual passages from a published musical work are quoted in an independent musical work.
Art. 52.-(1) The public communication of a published work shall be permissible if the communication serves no gainful purpose on the part of the organizer, spectators are admitted free of charge and, in the case of recitation or performance of the work, none of the performers (Article 73) receive special remuneration. An equitable remuneration shall be paid for the communication. The obligation to pay remuneration shall not apply in respect of events organized by the Youth Welfare Service, the Social Welfare Service, the Old Persons Welfare Service, the Prisoners Welfare Service and for school events, on condition that in accordance with their social or educational purpose they are only accessible for a specifically limited circle of persons. This shall not apply if the event serves the gainful purpose of a third party; in such case, the third party shall be required to pay the remuneration.
Reproduction for Private and Other Personal Uses
Art. 53.-(1) It shall be permissible to make single copies of a work for private use. A person authorized to make such copies may also cause such copies to be made by another person; however, this shall apply to the transfer of works to video or audio recording mediums and to the reproduction of works of fine art only if no payment is received therefor.
(2) It shall be permissible to make or to cause to be made single copies of a work:
for personal scientific use, if and to the extent that such reproduction is necessary for the purpose,
to be included in personal files, if and to the extent that reproduction for this purpose is necessary and if a personal copy of the work is used as the model for reproduction,
for personal information concerning current events, in the case of a broadcast work,
for other personal uses,
in teaching, in non-commercial institutions of education and further education or in institutions of vocational education in a quantity required for one school class or
for State examinations and examinations in schools, universities, non-commercial institutions of education and further education and in vocational education in the required quantity,
(4) Reproduction:
shall only be permissible, where not carried out by manual copying, with the consent of the copyright owner or in accordance with subsection (2), item 2, or for personal use in the case of a work that has been out of print for at least two years.
(5) Subsection (1) and subsection (2), items 2 to 4, shall not apply to databases of which the materials are individually accessible with the help of electronic means. Subsection (2), item 1, shall apply to such databases on condition that the scientific use is not made for commercial purposes.
(Amended by Laws of June 24, 1985, June 9, 1993 and July 22, 1997.)
Obligation to Pay Remuneration for Reproduction by Means of Video and Audio Recording
Art. 54.-(1) Where the nature of a work makes it probable that it will be reproduced by the recording of broadcasts on video or audio recording mediums or by transfer from one recording medium to another in accordance with Article 53(1) or (2), the author of the work shall be entitled to payment of equitable remuneration from the manufacturers:
of appliances and
of video or audio recording mediums
(2) The importer shall be the person who introduces the appliances or the video or audio recording mediums, or causes them to be introduced, into the territory to which this Law applies. Where the importing is based on a contract with a person foreign to that territory, the importer shall be that contractual party alone who is domiciled in the territory to which this Law applies, in so far as he is commercially active. Any person who acts simply as forwarding agent, carrier or the like in the introduction of the goods shall not be considered the importer. A person who introduces goods from third countries, or causes them to be introduced, into a free zone or a free warehouse in accordance with Article 166 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2913/92 of 12 October, 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ No. L 302, p. 1) shall only be deemed the importer if the items are used in that territory or if they are released for free circulation for customs purposes.
(Amended by the Law of June 24, 1985, by the Law of March 7, 1990 and by the Law of July 25, 1994.)
Obligation to Pay Remuneration for Reproduction by Means of Photocopying
Art. 54a.-(1) Where the nature of a work is such that it may be expected to be reproduced in accordance with Article 53(1) to (3) by the photocopying of a copy or by some other process having similar effect, the author of the work shall be entitled to payment of equitable remuneration from the manufacturer of appliances intended for the making of such reproductions, in respect of the possibility created by the sale or other placing on the market of the appliances. In addition to the manufacturer, any person who commercially imports or reimports such appliances into the territory to which this Law applies or who deals therein shall be jointly liable. A dealer shall not be liable if he procures less than 20 appliances in one half calendar year.
(Added by the Law of July 25, 1994.)
Inapplicability of the Dealer's Obligation to Pay Remuneration
Art. 54b. The dealer's obligation to pay remuneration (Article 54(1) and Article 54a(1)) shall not apply,
where a person required to pay the remuneration, from whom the dealer obtains the appliances or the video or audio recording mediums, is bound by an inclusive contract concerning the remuneration or
if the dealer notifies the receiving office designated in accordance with Article 54h(3) in writing of the nature and quantity of the appliances and video or audio recording mediums received and of his source of supply by January 10 and July 10 for each preceding half calendar year.
Inapplicability of the Obligation to Pay Remuneration on Export
Art. 54c. The claim under Article 54(1) and Article 54a(1)) shall not apply where it is probably under the circumstances that the appliances or the video or audio recording mediums will not be used to make reproductions within the territory to which this Law applies.
Art. 54d.-(1) The amounts set out in the Annex shall be deemed equitable remuneration in accordance with Article 54(1) and Article 54a(1) and (2) where not otherwise agreed.
(2) The amount of the total remuneration to be paid by the operator under Article 54(2) shall depend on the type and extent of utilization of the appliance that is to be expected in view of the circumstances, particularly the location and the habitual use.
Obligation to Refer in Invoices to Copyright Remuneration
Art. 54e-(1) Invoices for the sale or other placing on the market of appliances under Article 54a(1) shall make reference to the copyright remuneration due for the appliance.
(2) Invoices for the sale or other placing on the market of appliances or video or audio recording mediums referred to in Article 54(1) in which turnover tax in accordance with the first sentence of Article 14(1) of the Law on Turnover Tax is to be shown separately shall include a note stating whether the copyright remuneration due in respect of the appliance or the video or audio recording medium has been paid.
Art. 54f.-(1) Any person who commercially imports or reimports appliances or video or audio recording mediums that are obviously intended for the making of reproductions by means of video and audio recording into the territory to which this Law applies shall have the obligation in respect of the author to report in writing the nature and quantity of the items imported to the receiving office designated in accordance with Article 54h(3) monthly by the tenth day after the expiry of each calendar month.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis to appliances intended for making reproductions by photocopying a copy or by any procedure having a similar effect.
Art. 54g.-(1) The author may require information from those persons required to pay remuneration under Article 54(1) or Article 54a(1) as to the nature and quantity of appliances and video or audio recording mediums sold or otherwise put into circulation on the territory to which this Law applies. The dealer's obligation to provide information shall also extend to naming his sources of supply; it shall also subsist in the cases under the third sentence of Article 54(1) the third sentence of Article 54a(1) and of Article 54b item 1. Article 26(6) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(Added by the Law of July 25, 1994)
Collecting Societies; Handling of Reports
Art. 54h.-(1) Claims under Articles 54, 54a, 54f(3) and 54g may only be asserted through a collecting society.
(3) The collecting societies shall designate a joint receiving office to receive communications made in accordance with Articles 54b and 54f in each case for the claims to remuneration under Article 54(1) and those under Article 54a(1) to the Patent Office. The Patent Office shall publish them in the Federal Gazette.
(4) The Patent Office may publish models for the reports in accordance with Articles 54b, item 2, and 54f in the Federal Gazette. The use of such models shall be compulsory.
Reproduction by Broadcasting Organizations
Art. 55.-(1) A broadcasting organization entitled to broadcast a work shall have the right to record the work by means of its own facilities on video or audio recording mediums in order to use them once only for broadcasting over each of its transmitters or relay stations. Such video or audio recordings must be destroyed not later than one month after the first broadcast of the work.
Art. 55 a. The adaptation or reproduction of a database by the owner of a copy of the database that has been put into circulation by way of sale with the consent of the author, by a person entitled in some other way to make use thereof or by a person to whom the database has been made accessible on the basis of a contract concluded with the author or with another person having the author's consent, shall be permissible if and to the extent that the adaptation or reproduction is necessary to obtain access to the material in the database and for its normal use. If a part only of the database has been made accessible under a contract in accordance with the first sentence, it shall be permissible only to adapt or reproduce such part. Contractual agreements to the contrary shall be invalid.
(Added by the Law of July 22, 1997)
Reproduction and Public Communication by Commercial Enterprises
Art. 56.-(1) Commercial enterprises which sell video or audio recordings or appliances for making or communicating such recordings, or appliances for the reception of broadcasts, or which repair them, may record works on video or audio mediums and may publicly communicate video or audio recordings or make broadcast works perceivable to the public where necessary to demonstrate such appliances and devices to customers or to repair such appliances.
(2) Video or audio recordings made pursuant to paragraph (1) must be destroyed immediately.
Art. 57. It shall be permissible to reproduce, distribute and publicly communicate works if they may be regarded as insignificant and incidental with regard to the actual subject of the reproduction, distribution or public communication.
Art. 58. It shall be permissible to reproduce and distribute works of fine art which are exhibited in public or intended for public exhibition or auction in catalogs which are issued by the organizer for the purpose of the exhibition or auction.
Art. 59.-(1) It shall be permissible to reproduce, by painting, drawing, photography or cinematography, works which are permanently located on public ways, streets or places and to distribute and publicly communicate such copies. For works of architecture, this provision shall be applicable only to the external appearance.
Art. 60.-(1) The commissioner of a portrait or his successor in title may reproduce it or cause it to be reproduced by photography. If the portrait is a photographic work, reproduction other than by photography shall also be permissible. The copies may be distributed without payment.
Compulsory License for the Production of Audio Recordings
Art. 61.-(1) If a producer of audio recordings has been granted an exploitation right in a musical work entitling him to record the work on an audio medium and to reproduce and distribute that recording for commercial purposes, the author shall be required to grant an exploitation right with the same content on reasonable conditions to any other producer of audio recordings whose main establishment or whose domicile is located on the territory to which this Law applies; this provision shall not apply if the exploitation right referred to is lawfully administered by a collecting society or if the work no longer reflects the author's conviction and he therefore can no longer be expected to agree to the exploitation of his work and he has for that reason revoked any existing exploitation right. The author shall not be required to authorize the use of the work in the production of a cinematographic work.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall be applicable with respect to a producer of audio recordings who has neither his main establishment nor his domicile on the territory to which this Law applies, only if, as evidenced by a notification by the Federal Minister for Justice in the BundesgesetzMatt a corresponding right is granted by the State in which his main establishment or domicile is located to producers of audio recordings whose main establishments or whose domiciles are on the territory to which this Law applies.
Art. 62.-(1) Where the use of a work is permissible under the provisions of this Section, no alteration may be made to the work. Article 39 shall be applicable mutatis mutandis.
Art. 63.-(1) If a work or part of a work is reproduced pursuant to Article 45(1), Articles 46 to 48, 50, 51, 58, 59 and 61, the source must in all cases be clearly acknowledged. The same shall apply in the cases referred to in Article 53(2), item 1, (3), item 1 with regard to the reproduction of a database. In reproducing complete works of language or complete musical works, the publishing house which published the work must be stated in addition to the author, as also any abridgments or other alterations to the work. There shall be no obligation to acknowledge sources if no source is given either on the copy of the work used or with the reproduction of the work used and if no source is otherwise known to the person entitled to reproduce.
(Amended by Law of July 22, 1997)
Art. 64. Copyright shall expire 70 years after the author's death.
(Amended by the Law of June 23, 1995.)
Joint Authors, Cinematographic Works
Art. 65.-(1) If copyright is owned by several joint authors (Article 8), it shall expire 70 years after the death of the last surviving author.
(2) In the case of cinematographic works and works and works produced in a way similar to cinematographic works, copyright shall expire 70 years after the death of the last survivor of the following persons: the principal director, the author of the screenplay, the author of the dialogue, the composer of music composed for the cinematographic work concerned.
Art. 66.-(1) In the case of anonymous and pseudonymous works, copyright shall expire 70 years after publication. However, it shall expire 70 years already after the creation of the work if the work has not been published within that period.
(2) If the author reveals his identity within the period referred to in the first sentence of paragraph (1) or if the pseudonym adopted by the author leaves no doubt as to his identity, the term of copyright shall be calculated in accordance with Articles 64 and 65. The same shall apply if the true name of the author is registered for entry in the Register of Authors (Article 138) within the period referred to in he first sentence of paragraph (1).
(3) The acts under paragraph (2) may be carried out by the author or, after his death, his successor in title (Article 30) or the executor (Article 28(2)).
Art. 67. In the case of works published in parts which are not self-contained (installments), the calculation of the term of protection in the case referred to in the first sentence of Article 66(1) shall be calculated for each separate instalment as of the time of its publication.
Art. 68. (Repealed by the Law of June 24, 1985.)
Art. 69. The time limits specified in this Section shall begin with the end of the calendar year in which the event which determines the beginning of the time limit has occurred.
Art. 69a.-(1) For the purposes of this Law, computer programs shall mean programs in any form, including their design material.
Art. 69b.-(1) Where a computer program is created by an employee in the execution of his duties or following the instructions given by his employer, the employer exclusively shall be entitled to exercise all the economic rights in the program, unless otherwise agreed.
Art. 69c. The right holder shall have the exclusive right to do or to authorize:
the permanent or temporary reproduction of a computer program by any means and in any form, in part or in whole. Insofar as loading, displaying, running, transmission or storage of the computer program necessitate such reproduction, such acts shall be subject to authorization by the right holder;
the translation, adaptation, arrangement or any other alteration of a computer program and the reproduction of the results thereof. The rights of the person who alters the program shall remain unaffected;
any form of distribution of the original of a computer program or of copies thereof, including rental. Where a copy of a computer program is put into circulation by way of sale on the territory of the European Union or of another Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area with the consent of the right holder, the distribution right in respect of that copy shall be exhausted, with the exception of the rental right.
(Added by Law of June 9, 1993 and amended by Laws of September 27, 1993 and July 16, 1998.)
Art. 69d.-(1) In the absence of specific contractual provisions, the acts referred to in items 1 and 2 of Article 69c shall not require authorization by the right holder where they are necessary for the use of the computer program by any person entitled to use a copy of the program in accordance with its intended purpose, including for error correction.
Art. 69e.-(1) The authorization of the right holder shall not be required where reproduction of the code and translation of its form within the meaning of items 1 and 2 of Article 69c are indispensable to obtain the information necessary to achieve the interoperability of an independently created computer program with other programs, provided that the following conditions are met:
these acts are performed by the licensee or by another person having a right to use a copy of a program, or on their behalf by a person authorized to do so;
the information necessary to achieve interoperability has not previously been readily available to the persons referred to in item 1;
(2) Information obtained by means of acts under paragraph (1) may not:
be used for goals other than to achieve the interoperability of the independently created computer program,
be given to others, except when necessary for the interoperability of the independently created computer program,
be used for the development, production or marketing of a computer program substantially similar in its expression, or for any other act which infringes copyright.
Art. 69f.-(1) The right holder may require from their owners or proprietors that all unlawfully manufactured or distributed copies or all copies intended for unlawful distribution be destroyed. Article 98(2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Application of Other Legal Provisions; Law of Contract
Art. 69g.-(1) The provisions of this Section shall not prejudice the application of other statutory provisions to computer programs, particularly those concerning the protection of inventions, topographies of semiconductor products, trademarks and unfair competition, including the protection of business and works secrets as also agreements under the law of obligations.
(Section VIII added by the Law of June 9, 1993 and amended by the Law of October 25, 1994.)
Art. 70.-(1) Editions which consist of non-copyrighted works or texts shall enjoy, mutatis mutandis, the protection afforded by the provisions of Part I if they represent the result of scientific analysis and differ in a significant manner from previously known editions of the works or texts.
(Amended by the Law of March 7, 1990.)
Art. 71.-(1) Any person who, after the expiry of copyright, for the first time lawfully publishes or lawfully communicates a previously unpublished work shall have the exclusive right to exploit that work. The same shall apply to unpublished works that have never enjoyed protection within the territory to which this Law applies and whose authors have already been dead for more than 70 years. Articles 5, 15 to 24, 26, 27 and 45 to 63 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(3) The right shall expire 25 years after the publication of the work or after its first communication to the public where such event took place at an earlier date.
(Amended by the Law of March 7, 1990, and by the Law of June 23 , 1995.)
Art. 72.-(1) Photographs and products manufactured in a similar way to photographs shall be protected, mutatis mutandis, by the provisions of Part I applicable to photographic works.
(3) The right under paragraph (1) shall expire 50 years after publication of the photograph or after its first lawful communication to the pubic where such communication took place at an earlier date, but in any event 50 years after its manufacture if the photograph has not been published or has not been lawfully communicated to the public within that period.
(Amended by the Law of June 24, 1985, and by the Law of June 23, 1995.)
Art. 73. For the purposes of this Law, performer means a person who recites or performs a work or participates artistically in the recitation or performance of a work.
Transmission by Screen or Loudspeaker
Art. 74. Public communication of performance by screen, loudspeaker or similar technical device in a place other than that in which it takes place shall require the consent of the performer.
Recording, Reproduction and Distribution
Art. 75.-(1) The recording of a performance on a video or audio medium shall require the consent of the performer.
(2) The performer shall have the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the video or audio medium.
(3) Article 27 shall apply mutatis mutandis to performers' claims to remuneration for the rental and lending of video and audio mediums.
Art. 76.-(1) Broadcasting of a performance shall require the consent of the performer.
(3) Article 20b shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Art. 77. If a performance is publicly communicated by means of video or audio recordings or made perceivable to the public by means of a broadcast, the performer shall be paid equitable remuneration.
Art. 78. A performer may assign to others the rights and claims afforded him by Articles 74 to 77. Article 75(3) in conjunction with the second and third sentences of Article 27(1) shall remain unaffected.
Performers in Employment or Service
Art. 79. If a performer has given a performance in execution of his duties under a contract of employment or of service, the extent and conditions under which his employer may use it or authorize others to use it shall be determined, if not otherwise agreed, by reference to the nature of the contract of employment or service.
Choral, Orchestral and Stage Performances
Art. 80.-(1) In the case of choral, orchestral and stage performances, the consent of the elected representatives of the participating groups of performers, such as choir, orchestra, ballet and stage companies, in addition to the consent of the soloists, conductor and producer, shall suffice for the purposes of Articles 74, 75(1) and (2) and 76(1). If a group has no such representative, the consent of the performers belonging to that group shall be replaced by the consent of the leader of the group.
Protection of Organizers
Art. 81. If a performance is organized by an enterprise, the consent of the owner of the enterprise shall be required for the purposes of Articles 74, 75(1) and (2) and 76(1), in addition to the consent of the performer.
Art. 82. Where a performance has been recorded on a video or audio medium, the rights of the performer shall expire 50 years and those of the organizer 25 years after the publication of the video or audio recording or, if the first authorized use for public communication has taken place at an earlier date, after such date; however, the rights of the performer shall expire 50 years already after the performance and those of the organizer 25 years after the performance if the video or audio recording has not been published or has not been lawfully communicated to the public within that period. The period of time shall be calculated in accordance with Article 69.
(Amended by the Law of March 7, 1990, and by the Law of June 23, 1995.)
Art. 83.-(1) A performer shall have the right to prohibit any distortion or other alteration of his performance of such nature as to jeopardize his standing or reputation as a performer.
Art. 84. The provisions of Section VI of Part 1, with the exception of Article 61, shall apply mutatis mutandis to the rights afforded the performer and the organizer by this Section.
Right of Reproduction and Distribution
Art. 85.-(1) The producer of an audio recording shall have the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the recording. If the audio recording has been produced by an enterprise, the owner of the enterprise shall be deemed the producer. The right shall not subsist by reason of the reproduction of an audio recording.
(3) Article 27(2) and (3) as well as the provisions of Section VI of Part 1, with the exception of Article 61, shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Art. 86. If a published audio recording on which a performance has been fixed is used for public communication, the producer of the audio recording may claim from the performer an equitable participation in the remuneration which the performer receives pursuant to Article 76(2) and Article 77.
Art. 87.-(1) A broadcasting organization shall have the exclusive right:
to rebroadcast its broadcasts,
to record its broadcasts on a video or audio recording medium, to make photographs of its broadcasts and to reproduce and distribute such recordings or photographs, except for rental right;
to make its broadcast perceivable to the public in places only accessible to the public on payment of an entrance fee.
(3) The provisions of Section VI of Part 1, with the exception of Article 47(2), second sentence, Article 54(1) and Article 61, shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(4) Broadcasting organizations and cable operators shall be under a reciprocal obligation to conclude a contract with respect to the cable retransmission in accordance with Article 20b (1), first sentence, on reasonable conditions, to the extent that there exist no grounds that would technically justify a refusal to conclude a contract; the obligation of the broadcasting organization shall also apply to broadcasting rights afforded or assigned to it in respect of its own broadcast.
(Amended by Laws of June 24, 1985, June 23, 1995 and May 8, 1998)
Section VI Protection of Makers of Databases
(Chapter VI added by Law of July 22, 1997)
Art. 87a.-(1) For the purposes of this Law, "database" shall mean a collection of independent works, data or other materials arranged in a systematic or methodical way and individually accessible with the help of electronic or other means and of which the obtaining, verification or presentation requires qualitatively or quantitatively a substantial investment. A database of which the contents have been substantially amended, qualitatively or quantitatively, shall be deemed a new database if the amendment requires a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial investment.
(2) For the purposes of this Law, "maker of a database" shall mean the person who has effected the investment within the meaning of subsection (1).
Rights of Makers of Databases
Art. 87b.-(1) The maker of a database shall have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute and communicate to the public the database as a whole or a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial part of the database. The repeated and systematic reproduction, distribution or communication to the public of parts of the database that are not qualitatively and quantitatively substantial shall be deemed equivalent to the reproduction, distribution or communication to the public of a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial part of the database where such acts conflict with a normal exploitation of the database or unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the maker of the database.
(2) Article 17(2) and Article 27(2) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Limitations on the Rights of Makers of Databases
Art. 87c.-(1) It shall be permissible to reproduce a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial part of the database
for private use; this shall not apply to a database whose materials are individually accessible with the help of electronic means;
for personal scientific use, if and to the extent reproduction is necessary for such purpose and the scientific use has no commercial purpose;
for use for illustration in teaching, insofar as the use has no commercial purpose.
In the cases referred to in items 2 and 3, the source shall be clearly stated.
(2) It shall be permissible to reproduce, distribute and communicate to the public a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial part of a database for use in proceedings before a court, an arbitration tribunal or an authority or for the purposes of public security.
(Added by the Law of July 22, 1997 and amended by the Law of May 8, 1998)
Art. 87d The rights of makers of databases shall expire 15 years after the publication of the database, but 15 years already after its making if the database has not been published within that period. The period shall be computed in accordance with Article 69.
Art. 87e Any contractual agreement under which the owner of a copy of a database put in circulation by way of sale with the consent of the maker of the database, a person entitled in any other way to make use of the database or a person to whom the database has been made accessible under a contract concluded with the maker of the database or with another person having the maker's consent, which contains an obligation towards the maker of the database to refrain from reproducing, distributing or communicating to the public qualitatively and quantitatively insubstantial parts of the database shall be invalid where such acts neither conflict with a normal exploitation of the database nor unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the maker of the database.
The Right of Cinematographic Adaptation
Art. 88.-(1) If an author permits another person to make a cinematographic adaptation of his work, he shall be deemed, in doubt, to have granted the following exploitation rights:
the right to use the work in its original form or as an adaptation or transformation for the purpose of producing a cinematographic work;
the right to reproduce and distribute the cinematographic work;
the right to publicly present the cinematographic work if it is a work intended for presentation;
the right to broadcast the cinematographic work if it is a work intended for broadcasting;
the right to exploit translations and other cinematographic adaptations or transformations of the cinematographic work to the same extent as the work itself.
Rights in Cinematographic Works
Art. 89.-(1) Any person who undertakes to participate in the production of a film shall be deemed, in doubt, to have granted, should he acquire a copyright in the cinematographic work, to the producer of the film an exclusive right to utilize the cinematographic work as also translations and other adaptations or transformations of the cinematographic work in any known manner.
Art. 90. The provisions concerning the need for the author's consent to the transfer of exploitation rights (Article 34) and to the grant of non-exclusive rights (Article 35) and the provisions on the right of revocation for non-exercise (Article 41) or for changed conviction (Article 42) shall not apply to the rights referred to in Article 88(1), items 2 to 5, and Article 89(1). The author of the cinematographic work (Article 89) shall have no claims by virtue of Article 36.
Rights in Photographs
Art. 91. The producer of a cinematographic work shall be deemed to have acquired the right of cinematographic exploitation in photographs which are taken in connection with the production of such cinematographic work. The photographer shall have no rights in this respect.
Art. 92.-(1) If a performer concludes a contract with a film producer concerning his contribution to the making of a cinematographic work, the rights under Article 75(1) and (2) and Article 76(1) shall be deemed to have been assigned in the event of a doubt with regard to the exploitation of the cinematographic work.
(2) If a performer has assigned the right referred to in paragraph (1) in advance to another person, he shall nevertheless maintain the authority to assign such right with respect to the exploitation of the cinematographic work to the film producer.
Art. 93. The authors of a cinematographic work and of works used in its production, and the holders of neighboring rights who participate in the production of the cinematographic work or whose contributions are used in its production may prohibit in accordance with Articles 14 and 83 only gross distortions or other gross mutilations of their works or of their contributions, with respect to the production and exploitation of the cinematographic work. Each author or right holder shall take the others and the film producer into due account when exercising the right.
Protection of Producers of Films
Art. 94.-(1) The producer of a film shall have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute and use for public presentation or broadcasting the video recording or video and audio recording on which the cinematographic work is fixed. The film producer shall further have the right to prohibit any distortion or abridgment of the video recording or video and audio recording which may jeopardize his legitimate interests.
(3) The right shall expire 50 years after publication of the video recording or video and audio recording or, if its first authorized use for public communication took place at an earlier date, after that date; however, it shall expire 50 years after production if the video recording or video and audio recording has not been published or lawfully communicated to the public within that period.
(4) Articles 20b, 27(2) and (3) and the provisions of Section VI of Part 1, with the exception of Article 61, shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(Amended by the Laws of June 23, 1995 and May 8, 1998.)
Art. 95. Articles 88, 90, 91, 93 and 94 shall apply mutatis mutandis to sequences of images and to sequences of images and sounds which are not protected as cinematographic works.
Art. 96.-(1) Unlawfully made copies may be neither distributed nor used for public communication.
(Actions for Injunction and Damages)
Art. 97.-(1) As against any person who infringes a copyright or any other right protected by this Law, the injured party may bring an action for injunctive relief requiring the wrongdoer to cease and desist if there is a danger of repetition of the acts of infringement, as well as an action for damages if the infringement was intentional or the result of negligence. In place of damages, the injured party may require surrender of the profits derived by the infringer from the acts of infringement together with detailed accounting reflecting such profits.
Claim to Destruction or Surrender of Copies
Art. 98.-(1) The injured party may require destruction of all copies unlawfully manufactured, unlawfully distributed or intended for unlawful distribution that are in the possession of the infringer or are his property.
Claim to Destruction or Surrender of Devices
Art. 99. The provisions of Article 98 shall apply mutatis mutandis to devices that are the property of the infringer and that are used or intended exclusively or almost exclusively for the unlawful manufacture of copies.
Art. 100. If a right protected under this Law has been infringed in an enterprise by an employee or agent of such enterprise, the injured party may also assert the rights provided in Articles 97 to 99, with the exception of the right to damages, against the owner of such enterprise. Further claims which may arise from other statutory provisions shall not be affected.
Art. 101.-(1) If, in the event of infringement of a right protected under this Law, the claims of the injured party for injunctive relief (Article 97), for destruction or surrender of the copies (Article 98) or the devices (Article 99) are asserted against a person whose acts of infringement were neither intentional nor negligent, such person may indemnify in money the injured party if execution of the claims would produce for him a serious and disproportionate injury and if the injured party may reasonably be required to accept redress in cash. The compensation shall represent the amount that would have constituted equitable remuneration had the right been granted by contract. Payment of such compensation shall constitute the injured party's consent to a utilization within the customary limits.
separable parts of copies and devices whose manufacture or distribution is not unlawful.
Claim to Information in Respect of Third Parties
Art. 101a.-(1) Any person who infringes copyright or any other right protected by this Law in the course of business through the manufacture or distribution of copies may be required by the injured party to give information as to the origin and distribution channels of such copies, without delay, except where disproportionate in the individual case.
(4) Such information may only be used in criminal proceedings or in proceedings under the Law on Minor Offenses against the person required to give information, or against a dependent person under Article 52(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in respect of an act committed before the information was given, with the consent of the person required to give the information.
(Added by the Law of March 7, 1990.)
Art. 102. Claims arising from infringement of copyright or of any other right protected by this Law shall become invalid by prescription three years after the time at which the entitled person gains knowledge of the infringement and of the identity of the infringer or 30 years after the infringement, irrespective of such knowledge. Article 852(2) of the Civil Code shall apply mutatis mutandis. Where the infringer has made gains at the cost of the entitled person by reason of the infringement, he shall remain obliged, even after the claim has expired, to surrender such gain in accordance with the provisions on the surrender of unjustified gain.
Publication of Judgement
Art. 103.-(1) If an action has been brought under this Law, the judgement may authorize the successful party to publish the judgement at the cost of the unsuccessful party, if the successful party can offer a legitimate reason to do so. Unless the court rules otherwise, the judgement may not be published until it becomes final.
(2) The nature and extent of the publication shall be determined in the judgement. The authority to publish the judgement shall expire if it is not published within six months after it becomes final.
Art. 104. For all litigation concerning the exercise of rights arising from the legal relationships regulated by this Law (copyright litigation), ordinary legal recourse shall be accorded. For copyright litigation arising out of employment or service relationships that concern solely claims to the payment of an agreed compensation, recourse to labor courts and to administrative tribunals shall remain unaffected.
(Courts for Copyright Litigation)
Art. 105.-(1) The Provincial Governments shall be empowered to assign by statutory order copyright litigation for which the Provincial Courts are competent in the first instance or on appeal to one of such Provincial Courts for the jurisdictions of a number of Provincial Courts where it is in the interests of the administration of justice.
(4) Parties may also be represented before a Provincial Court to which copyright litigation for the jurisdictions of a number of Provincial Courts has been assigned in accordance with paragraph (1) by lawyers admitted to the Provincial Court which would otherwise be competent.
(Amended by the Law of September 2, 1994.)
Unauthorized Exploitation of Copyrighted Works
Art. 106.-(1) Any person who, other than in a manner allowed by law and without the right holder's consent, reproduces, distributes or publicly communicates a work or an adaptation or transformation of a work shall be liable to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine.
(Amended by the Law of March 2, 1974, and by the Law of March 7, 1990.)
Unlawful Affixing of Designation of Author
Art. 107.-(1) Any person who:
without the author's consent, affixes a designation of author (Article 10(1)) to the original of a work of fine art or distributes an original bearing such designation,
affixes a designation of author (Article 10(1)) on a copy, adaptation or transformation of a work of fine art in such manner as to give to the copy, adaptation or transformation the appearance of an original or distributes a copy, adaptation or transformation bearing such designation,
Art. 108.-(1) Any person who, other than in a manner allowed by law and without the right holder's consent:
reproduces, distributes or publicly communicates a scientific edition (Article 70) or an adaptation or transformation of such edition;
exploits a posthumous work or an adaptation or transformation of such work contrary to Article 71;
reproduces, distributes or publicly communicates a photograph (Article 72) or an adaptation or transformation of a photograph;
exploits a performance contrary to Articles 74, 75(1) or (2) or Article 76(1);
exploits an audio recording contrary to Article 85;
exploits a broadcast contrary to Article 87;
exploits a video or video and audio recording contrary to Article 94 or Article 95 in conjunction with Article 94,
exploits a database contrary to Article 87b(1),
(2) The attempt to commit such an offence shall be punishable.
(Amended by the Law of March 2, 1974, by the Law of March 7, 1990 by the Law of June 23, 1995 and July 22, 1997.)
Unlawful Exploitation on a Commercial Basis
Art. 108a.-(1) Where the person committing the acts referred to in Articles 106 to 108 does so on a commercial basis, the penalty shall be imprisonment for up to five years or a fine.
(Added by the Law of June 24, 1985, and amended by the Law of March 7, 1990.)
Art. 109. Offenses under Articles 106 to 108 shall only be prosecuted on complaint unless the prosecuting authorities deem that ex officio prosecution is justified in view of the particular public interest.
Art. 110. Objects implicated in an offense under Articles 106, 107(1), item 2, 108 and 108a may be confiscated. Article 74a of the Penal Code shall apply. Where the claims referred to in Articles 98 and 99 are upheld in proceedings under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure with regard to the compensation of the injured party (Articles 403 to 406c), the provisions on confiscation shall not be applied.
(Amended by the Law of June 24, 1985, and by the Law of March 7, 1990.)
Art. 111. If in cases covered by Articles 106 to 108a a penalty has been pronounced, the court shall, at the request of the injured party and if the latter can show a justified interest, order publication of the judgement. The nature of the publication shall be laid down in the judgement.
Art. 111a.-(1) Where the manufacture or distribution of copies infringes copyright or any other right protected by this Law those copies where Council Regulation (EC) No. 3295/94 of December 22, 1994 laying down measures to prohibit the release for free circulation, export, re-export or entry for a suspensive procedure of counterfeit and pirated goods (OJ No. L 341, p. 8), in its current version, is not applicable, shall be subject, at the request of the holder of the rights and against his security, to seizure by the customs authorities, on import or export, in those cases where the infringement is obvious. This provision shall apply in trade with other Member States of the European Union and with other Contracting States to the Agreement on the European Economic Area only insofar as controls are carried out by the customs authorities.
If the petitioner withdraws his request, the customs authorities shall lift the seizure without delay.
If the petitioner maintains his request and submits an executable court decision ordering the impounding of the seized copies or limitation of the right to dispose, the customs authorities shall take the necessary measures.
(8) In proceedings under Council Regulation (EC) No. 3295/94, paragraphs (1) to (7) shall apply mutatis mutandis unless otherwise provided by the Regulation.
(Added by the Law of March 7, 1990, amended by the Law of September 27, 1993, by the Law of October 25, 1994 and by the Law of July 24, 1996.)
Art. 112. Enforcement affecting a right protected by this Law shall be subject to the general rules of law in the absence of anything to the contrary in Articles 113 to 119.
Art. 113. A claim for money against an author may only be enforced on a copyright with his consent and only insofar as he is able to grant exploitation rights (Article 31). The consent may not be given through a legal representative.
Originals of Works
Art. 114.-(1) A claim for money against an author may only be enforced on originals of his works owned by him with his consent. The consent may not be given through a legal representative.
where enforcement on the original of a work is necessary for enforcement on an exploitation right in the work;
for enforcement on the original of a work of architecture;
for enforcement on the original of another work of fine art, if the work has been published.
Art. 115. A claim for money against the successor in title of an author (Article 30) may only be enforced on a copyright with his consent, and only insofar as he is able to grant exploitation rights (Article 31). Consent shall not be required if the work has been published.
(Originals of Works)
Art. 116.- (1) A claim for money against the successor in title of an author (Article 30) may only be enforced on originals of works of the author owned by the successor in title with his consent,
in the cases referred to in Article 114(2), first sentence;
for enforcement on the original of a work if the work has been published.
Art. 117. If copyright is to be exercised in accordance with Article 28(2) by an executor, it shall be for the executor to give the consent required in Articles 115 and 116.
Art. 118. Articles 113 to 117 shall apply mutatis mutandis:
to enforcement of claims for money against an author of a scientific edition (Article 70) and against his successor in title;
to enforcement of claims for money against a photographer (Article 72) and against his successor in title.
Art. 119.-(1) Devices intended exclusively for reproduction or broadcasting, such as moulds, plates, engraving stones, blocks, stencils and negatives, shall be subject to enforcement of claims for money only if the creditor is entitled to exploit the work using such devices.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis to editions protected under Articles 70 and 71, to photographs protected under Article 72, to video and audio recordings protected under Article 75(2) and Articles 85, 87, 94 and 95 and to databases protected under Article 87b(1).
(Amended by Laws of June 23, 1995 and July 22, 1997.)
PART V SCOPE OF APPLICATION.
German Nationals and Nationals of Other EU States and EEA States
Art. 120. German Nationals and nationals of another Member State of the EU or of another Contracting State of the Convention Concerning the EEA.
(2) The following shall have equal status with German nationals:
Germans within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law who do not possess German nationality and
nationals of another Member State of the European Union or another Contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
Art. 121.-(1) Foreign nationals shall enjoy copyright protection with respect to their works published in the territory to which this Law applies, unless the work or a translation of the work has been published outside that territory more than 30 days prior to its publication within that territory. Subject to the same limitation, foreign nationals shall enjoy protection with respect to their works published in the territory to which this Law applies in translation only.
Art. 122.-(1) Stateless persons who are habitually resident in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy with respect to their works the same copyright protection as German nationals.
Art. 123. The provisions of Article 122 shall apply mutatis mutandis to foreigners who are refugees within the meaning of treaties or other statutory provisions. This shall not preclude protection under Article 121.
Scientific Editions and Photographs
Art. 124. Articles 120 to 123 shall apply mutatis mutandis for the protection of scientific editions (Article 70) and the protection of photographs (Article 72).
(Protection of Performers)
Art. 125.-(1) The protection afforded by Articles 73 to 84 shall be enjoyed by German nationals with respect to all their performances, irrespective of where they take place. Article 120(2) shall apply.
(3) If performances by foreign nationals are lawfully fixed on video or audio recordings, and if such recordings have been published, foreign nationals shall enjoy, with respect to such video or audio recordings, protection under Article 75(2), Article 76(2) and Article 77 if they have been published in the territory to which this Law applies unless such recordings have been published outside the territory to which this Law applies more than 30 days before their publication within that territory.
(7) Where protection is afforded in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4) or (6), it shall expire at the latest on expiry of the term of protection in the State of which the performer is a national, but shall not exceed the term of protection under Article 82.
Protection of Producers of Audio Recordings
Art. 126.-(1) The protection afforded by Articles 85 and 86 shall be enjoyed by German nationals or German enterprises which have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies with respect to all of their audio recordings, irrespective of whether and where they have been published. Article 120(2) shall apply. Enterprises with headquarters in another Member State of the European Union or in another Contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area shall have the same status as enterprises having their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies.
(2) Foreign nationals or foreign enterprises which do not have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy protection for their audio recordings published in that territory unless the recording was published outside the territory to which this Law applies more than 30 days before it was published in that territory. Protection shall expire, however, at the latest on expiry of the term of protection in the State of which the producer of the audio recording possesses the nationality or in which the enterprise has its headquarters, but shall not exceed the term of protection under Article 85(2).
Art. 127.-(1) Broadcasting organizations which have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy the protection afforded by Article 87 with respect to all of their broadcasts, irrespective of where they are broadcast. The third sentence of Article 126(1) shall be of application.
(2) Broadcasting organizations which do not have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy protection for all of their broadcasts which are broadcast from that territory. Protection shall expire at the latest on expiry of the term of protection in the State in which the broadcasting organization has its headquarters, but shall not exceed the term of protection under Article 87(2).
Protection of Makers of Databases
Art. 127a.-(1) German nationals and legal persons with headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy the protection afforded by Article 87b. Article 120(2) shall be of application.
(2) Legal persons established under German law or under the Law of one of the States designated in Article 120(2), item 2, who do not have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy the protection afforded by Article 87b if
their principal administration or principal establishment is located in one of the States designated in Article 120(2), item 2; or
their statutory headquarters are located in the territory of one of those States and their activities show a real connection with the German economy or with the economy of one of those States.
(3) Foreign nationals and legal persons shall further enjoy protection in accordance with the provisions of treaties and of agreements concluded by the European Community with non-Member States; such agreements shall be notified by the Federal Ministry of Justice in the Federal Law Gazette.
Protection of Film Producers
Art. 128.-(1) German nationals or German enterprises which have their headquarters in the territory to which this Law applies shall enjoy the protection afforded by Articles 94 and 95 with respect to their video or video and audio recordings, irrespective of whether and where they have been published. Article 120(2) and the third sentence of Article 126(1) shall be of application.
Art. 129.-(1) The provisions of this Law shall also apply to works created prior to its entry into force, unless such works were not at that time protected by copyright or unless some provision to the contrary is contained in this Law. This shall also apply mutatis mutandis to neighboring rights.
Art. 130. The rights of an author of a translation which was lawfully published prior to January 1, 1902, without the consent of the author of the work translated shall remain unaffected.
Works of Language Set to Music
Art. 131. Works of language set to music which could be reproduced, distributed and publicly communicated without the consent of the author under Article 20 of the Law on Copyright in Works of Literature and Music of June 19, 1901 (Reichsgesetzblatt p. 227) in the version of the Law of May 22, 1910, giving effect to the revised Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Reichsgcsetzblatt p. 793), may continue in the future to be reproduced, distributed and publicly communicated to the same extent, if the musical version of the work was published prior to the entry into force of this Law.
Art. 132.-(1) The provisions of this Law, with the exception of Articles 42, 43 and 79, shall not apply to contracts concluded prior to the entry into force of this Law. Articles 40 and 41 shall apply to such contracts, except that the periods mentioned in Article 40(1), second sentence, and Article 41(2) shall begin not earlier than the entry into force of this Law.
Art. 133. (Repealed by the Law of August 17, 1973.)
Art.134. Any person who, at the time of entry into force of this Law, is considered an author under the earlier provisions, but not under the provisions of this Law, shall continue to be deemed an author except for the purposes of Article 135. Where a legal person is considered the author of a work under the earlier provisions, those previous provisions shall be applicable in calculating the duration of copyright.
Art. 135. Any person who, at the time of entry into force of this Law is considered the author of a photograph or of the recording of a work on devices for audible mechanical reproduction, under the earlier provisions, shall be the owner of the corresponding neighboring rights afforded by this Law.
Calculation of the Term of Protection
Art. 135a. Where the term of protection is shortened by the application of this Law to a right which came into being prior to the entry into force of this Law, and where the event which under this Law determines the beginning of the term of protection occurred prior to the entry into force of this Law, such term shall be calculated as from the entry into force of this Law. However, protection shall lapse not later than on expiration of the duration of protection under the earlier provisions.
(Added by the Law of November 10, 1972.)
Art. 136.-(1) Where reproduction is permissible under the earlier provisions, but prohibited under this Law, any making of copies of such reproduction commenced prior to the entry into force of this Law may be completed.
Art. 137.-(1) If copyright has been transferred prior to the entry into force of this Law, the transferee shall enjoy the corresponding exploitation rights (Article 31). However, transfer shall not be deemed in doubt to extend to rights first established by this Law.
Art. 137a.-(1) The provisions of this Law as regards the term of copyright shall also apply to those photographic works whose term of protection under prior law has not yet expired on July 1, 1985.
(Added by the Law of June 24, 1985.)
Certain Editions
Art. 137b.-(1) The provisions of this Law concerning the term of protection under Articles 70 and 71 shall also be applied to scientific editions and posthumous editions where their term of protection under prior law has not yet expired on July 1, 1990.
Art. 137c.-(1) The provisions of this Law concerning the term of protection under Article 82 shall also be applied to performances recorded on video or audio mediums prior to July 1, 1990, if on January 1, 1991, 50 years have not yet elapsed since publication of the recording. if the video or audio recording has not been published within that period of time, the period is to be calculated as from the performance. Protection under this Law shall in no event exceed 50 years after publication of the video or audio recording or, if the recording has not been published, 50 years after the performance.
Art. 137d.-(1) The provisions of Section VIII of Part I shall also apply to computer programs created prior to June 24, 1993. However, the exclusive rental right (Article 69c, item 3) shall not extend to copies of a program acquired by others prior to January 1, 1993, for the purpose of rental.
(Added by the Law of June 9, 1993.)
Transitional Provision for the Implementation of Directive 92/100/EEC
Art. 137e.-(1) The provisions of this Law that enter into force on June 30, 1995, shall also apply to works, performances, audio recordings, broadcasts and films created before that date unless they no longer enjoy protection at that date.
(2) Where an original work or a copy thereof or a video or audio recording has been acquired prior to June 30, 1995, or has been transferred to another person for the purpose of rental, the consent of the holder of the rental right (Articles 17, 75(2), 85 and 94) shall be deemed to have been given with respect to rental after such time. The renter shall pay to such rightholders an equitable remuneration; the second and third sentences of Article 27(1) with respect to the claims of authors and performers and Article 27(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis. Article 137d shall remain unaffected.
(3) Where a video or audio recording that has been acquired prior to June 30, 1995, or has been given to another person for the purpose of rental has been rented between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1995, a claim to remuneration with respect to such renting shall subsist mutatis mutandis in accordance with the second sentence of paragraph (2).
(4) Where an author has afforded an exclusive right of distribution prior to June 30, 1995, such right shall be deemed to include the rental right. Where a performer has contributed to the production of a cinematographic work before such time or has agreed to the use of his performance in the production of a cinematographic work, his exclusive rights shall be deemed to have been transferred to the film producer. If he has agreed before such time to the recording of his performance on an audio medium and to its reproduction, his consent shall also constitute transfer of the distribution right, including the rental right.
(Added by the Law of June 23, 1995.)
Transitional Provision for the Implementation of Directive 93/98/EEC
Art. 137f.-(1) Where application of this Law in the version applicable as of July 1, 1995, reduces the term of an already existing right, protection shall lapse on expiry of the term of protection in accordance with the provisions applicable up to June 30, 1995. In all other cases, the provisions of this Law concerning the term of protection are also of application in the version applicable as of July 1, 1995, to works and neighboring rights whose protection has not yet expired on July 1, 1995.
(2) The provisions of this Law in the version applicable as of July 1, 1995, shall also be of application to works whose protection under this Law has expired prior to July 1, 1995, but which still subsists at such date under the law of another Member State of the European Union or of a Contracting Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. The first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis to the neighboring rights of the publisher of posthumous works (Article 71), of performers (Article 73), of the producers of audio recordings (Article 85), of broadcasting organizations (Article 87) and of film producers (Articles 94 and 95).
(3) Where the protection for a work within the territory to which this Law applies resumes in accordance with paragraph (2), the resumed rights shall belong to the author. Any act of exploitation begun prior to July 1, 1995, may be continued, however, in the agreed form. Equitable remuneration shall be paid for exploitation after July 1, 1995. The first to third sentences shall apply mutatis mutandis to neighboring rights.
(4) Where a right of exploitation is granted or transferred to another person prior to July 1, 1995, in a performance still protected by this Law, the grant or transfer shall extend where there is a doubt to the period also by which the term of protection has been extended. In the case under the first sentence, equitable remuneration shall be paid.
Transitional Provision for the Implementation of Directive 96/9/EEC
Art.137g.-(1) Article 23, second sentence, Article 53(5), Article 55a and 63(1), second sentence, shall apply to databases created prior to January 1, 1998.
(2) The provisions of Section VI of Part II shall also apply to databases made between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1997. The term of protection shall begin on January 1, 1998 in such cases.
(3) Articles 55a and 87 e shall not apply to contracts concluded prior to January 1, 1998.
Transitional Provision for the Implementation of Directive 93/83/EEC
Art. 137h.-(1) The provision in Article 20a shall not apply until January 1, 2000 to contracts concluded prior to June 1, 1998 where such contracts expire after that date.
(2) Where a contract for the joint production of a video or audio recording was concluded prior to June 1, 1998 between several producers, of which at least one belongs to a Member State of the European Union or a Contracting State of the European Economic Area, provides for the geographical division between the producers of the rights of broadcasting, without making a distinction between satellite broadcasting and other types of broadcasting, and if the satellite broadcast of the joint production by one producer would prejudice the exploitation of the geographically or linguistically limited exclusive rights of another producer, the satellite broadcast shall be permissible only if the holder of those exclusive rights has given his consent.
(3) The provision in Article 20b(2) shall be applied only if the contract for the assignment of the right of cable retransmission was concluded after June 1, 1998.
Art. 138.-(1) Register of Authors for the entries set out in the second sentence of Article 66(2) shall be kept at the Patent Office. The Patent Office shall effect the entries without verifying the applicant's entitlement or the accuracy of the information submitted for entry.
(2) If entry is refused, the applicant may petition for a decision by the courts. The petition shall be heard by the Provincial High Court having jurisdiction for the district in which the Patent Office has its headquarters and which shall give a reasoned decision. The petition shall be made in writing to the Provincial High Court. The decision of the Provincial High Court shall be final. In other respects, judicial procedure shall be governed by the provisions of the Law on Matters of Voluntary Jurisdiction. The court costs shall be governed by the Regulations on Costs; the fees shall be determined by Article 131 of the Regulations on Costs.
regulating the form of the application and the maintenance of the Register of Authors;
ordering the imposition of charges (fees and expenses) to cover administrative costs relating to the entry, the issuing of a certificate of entry and the issuing of other extracts or their certification, and regulating matters concerning the party liable for costs, the time at which charges are due, the obligation of payment in advance, exemption from charges, limitation, the procedure for the fixing of charges, and legal remedies against the fixing of charges. The fee for an entry shall not exceed 30 German marks.
(Amended by the Law of June 23, 1970 and by the Law of June 23, 1995)
Art. 139-141. Amending and Repealing Provisions.
Application in Land Berlin
Art. 142. This Law shall also apply in the Land Berlin in accordance with Article 13(1), of the Third Transitional Law of January 4, 1952 (Bundesgesetzblatt 1, p. 1). Statutory orders issued pursuant to this Law shall also apply in the Land Berlin in accordance with Article 14 of the Third Transitional Law.
Art. 143.-(1) Articles 64 to 67, 69, 105(1) to (3) and 138(5) shall enter into force on the day following promulgation of this Law. (2) All other provisions of this Law shall enter into force on January 1, 1966.
I. Remuneration under Article 54(l):
The remuneration due to all owners of rights shall be:
for each audio recording appliance 2.50 DM
for each video recording appliance with or without audio recording 18.00 DM
in respect of audio recording mediums, for each hour of playing time in normal utilization 0.12 DM
in respect of video recording mediums, for each hour of playing time in normal utilization 0.17 DM
for each audio and video recording appliance for whose operation separate mediums are not required (items 3 and 4), twice the remuneration rates under items 1 and 2.
Remuneration due to all owners of rights under Article 54a(1) shall be, for each reproduction appliance with a capacity of
Remuneration due to all owners of rights under Article 54a(2) shall be, for each DIN A4 page of photocopying:
(a) for photocopies made exclusively from books approved by a provincial authority as school, books and intended for school use 0.05 DM
For reproduction appliances with which polychrome photocopies can be made and for polychrome photocopies, the rate of remuneration shall be double.
These rates of remuneration shall be applied mutatis mutandis to other reproduction processes having a comparable effect.
(Amended by the Law of July 25, 1994.)