Selected year snapshot
For 2019, the active event in this file is Lei n.º 15/14, de 31 de Julho — Lei dos Direitos de Autor e Conexos.
40%
Current rationale
As of 2025, Lei n.º 15/14 remains the copyright law in force in Angola. No amendments to the exceptions and limitations provisions (Articles 23–27) have been identified via web search. The DLA Piper guide (updated January 2023) confirms the fundamental IP framework remains the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights (Lei n.º 15/14) and the Industrial Property Law. Presidential Decree No. 125/17 of June 12, 2017 concerns registration procedures for copyright, not exceptions and limitations. No TDM-specific exception has been enacted. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Art. 25(1)(c), which permits reproduction in whole or in part by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to the needs of their own activities, with full reproduction of a book excluded unless acquisition is impossible. This is an institutional exception (PURPLE). Uses: reproduction only. Works: all works except full books (unless unavailable). Users: institutions only. The user restriction is the most restrictive element, yielding PURPLE. No broader fair use, fair dealing, general research, or TDM exception exists in the law.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of lawfully published work for exclusively private use; single copy of short excerpts by natural person for private non-profit use. Excludes integral reproduction of books, visual arts works, and digital databases.
Reproduction of speeches, press reports, and fragments of works for information purposes in current events reporting.
Reproduction of quotations or summaries for purposes of criticism, discussion or teaching, to the extent justified by the objective.
Inclusion of short pieces or fragments of others' works in one's own works intended for teaching.
Reproduction in whole or in part by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to needs of their own activities. Full reproduction of a book excluded unless acquisition is impossible.
Reproduction or adaptation of computer programs by legitimate users for intended use and backup copies.
Parodies and analogous compositions, provided they do not discredit the original work.
Law changes
Lei n.º 4/90, de 10 de Março — Lei dos Direitos de Autor
Baseline · Effective 1990-03-10
?
Dates: Effective 1990-03-10 · Enacted 1990-03-10
Why this score
The Lei n.º 4/90 de 10 de Março was the copyright law in force in Angola from 1990. Despite extensive web searches, the full statutory text of this law could not be located online — neither on WIPO Lex, the Angolan official gazette (Diário da República), nor on lex.ao or other legal databases. The law is referenced in the preamble of its successor (Lei n.º 15/14) as the law it revokes, confirming its existence and applicability from 1990. Without access to the actual text of the exceptions and limitations provisions, it is impossible to determine what research-related exceptions existed or to classify them. AMBIGUOUS is used because the statutory text itself could not be retrieved, making the scope of any exceptions genuinely indeterminate.
Lei n.º 15/14, de 31 de Julho — Lei dos Direitos de Autor e Conexos
Relevant update · Effective 2014-07-31
40%
Relevant section: Artigos 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Dates: Effective 2014-07-31 · Enacted 2014-07-31
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception is Art. 25(c), which permits reproduction in whole or in part of works previously made accessible to the public, by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to the needs of their own activities. Full reproduction of a book is excluded unless acquisition is impossible. This permits full-work reproduction of non-book works (articles, musical scores, etc.) by qualifying institutions. Uses: reproduction only (no sharing/communication). Works: all works except full books (unless unavailable) — this is a partial work exclusion but full-work reproduction is available for at least some types. Users: restricted to institutions (public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, educational establishments). The most restrictive element is the user restriction (institutions only), which maps to PURPLE. Art. 23 (private use) is limited to short excerpts for the single-copy right and excludes integral reproduction of books, visual arts works, and digital databases. Art. 25(a) is limited to quotations and summaries. Neither of these is more permissive than Art. 25(c). Non-commercial restriction and copy-number limits are classification-neutral and were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of lawfully published work for exclusively private use; single copy of short excerpts by natural person for private non-profit use. Excludes integral reproduction of books, visual arts works, and digital databases.
Reproduction of speeches, press reports, and fragments of works for information purposes in current events reporting.
Reproduction of quotations or summaries for purposes of criticism, discussion or teaching, to the extent justified by the objective.
Inclusion of short pieces or fragments of others' works in one's own works intended for teaching.
Reproduction in whole or in part by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to needs of their own activities. Full reproduction of a book excluded unless acquisition is impossible.
Reproduction or adaptation of computer programs by legitimate users for intended use and backup copies.
Parodies and analogous compositions, provided they do not discredit the original work.
Original text
Artigo 23.º (Utilização Livre para Fins Privados) 1. São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as seguintes utilizações da obra: a) A reprodução de obra licitamente publicada, para uso exclusivamente privado, desde que não atinja a exploração normal da obra, nem cause prejuízo injustificado aos legítimos interesses do autor; b) A reprodução, em um só exemplar, de pequenos trechos de obra licitamente publicada, feita por uma pessoa singular para uso privado e sem fins lucrativos. 2. A utilização prevista no presente artigo não se aplica: a) Às obras de arquitectura; b) À reprodução integral de um livro; c) À reprodução integral de uma obra de artes plásticas; d) À reprodução integral de uma base de dados em formato digital. Artigo 24.º (Utilização Livre para Fins de Informação) 1. São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as seguintes utilizações da obra: a) A reprodução, por qualquer meio, de discursos, conferências, alocuções e sermões pronunciados em público, para fins exclusivos de informação; b) A reprodução, por qualquer meio, de reportagens e artigos de actualidade publicados pela imprensa ou difundidos pela rádio ou televisão, desde que não tenha sido expressamente reservada; c) A fixação, reprodução e comunicação ao público, por qualquer meio, de fragmentos de obras literárias, artísticas ou científicas, quando a sua inclusão em relatos de acontecimentos de actualidade for justificada pelo fim de informação prosseguido. Artigo 25.º (Utilização Livre para Fins de Crítica, Discussão e Ensino) 1. São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as seguintes utilizações da obra: a) A reprodução de citações ou resumos de obras alheias, qualquer que seja o meio utilizado, desde que se destinem a fins de crítica, discussão ou ensino e na medida justificada pelo objectivo a atingir; b) A inclusão de peças curtas ou fragmentos de obras alheias em obras próprias destinadas ao ensino; c) A reprodução, no todo ou em parte, de uma obra que tenha sido previamente tornada acessível ao público, desde que feita por uma biblioteca pública, um centro de documentação não comercial, uma instituição científica ou um estabelecimento de ensino, e que essa reprodução e o respectivo número de exemplares se limitem às necessidades das suas actividades próprias, não podendo a reprodução atingir a totalidade de um livro, salvo se for impossível a sua aquisição. Artigo 26.º (Utilização Livre para Fins de Reprodução e Adaptação para Uso Pessoal) 1. São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as seguintes utilizações da obra: a) A reprodução ou adaptação de um programa de computador, feita por um utilizador legítimo, quando tal for necessário para a utilização do programa de acordo com a sua finalidade, incluindo a correcção de erros; b) A realização de uma cópia de segurança de um programa de computador, feita por um utilizador legítimo, quando tal for necessário para a utilização do programa. Artigo 27.º (Utilização Livre para Fins de Paródia) São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as paródias e composições literárias ou musicais análogas de uma obra, desde que não impliquem descrédito da obra original.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 23 (Free Use for Private Purposes) 1. The following uses of a work are lawful without the author's consent: a) The reproduction of a lawfully published work, for exclusively private use, provided it does not prejudice the normal exploitation of the work nor cause unjustified harm to the legitimate interests of the author; b) The reproduction, in a single copy, of short excerpts of a lawfully published work, made by a natural person for private use and without profit. 2. The use provided for in this article does not apply to: a) Works of architecture; b) The integral reproduction of a book; c) The integral reproduction of a work of visual arts; d) The integral reproduction of a database in digital format. Article 24 (Free Use for Information Purposes) 1. The following uses of a work are lawful without the author's consent: a) The reproduction, by any means, of speeches, lectures, addresses and sermons delivered in public, for exclusively informational purposes; b) The reproduction, by any means, of reports and current affairs articles published by the press or broadcast by radio or television, provided this has not been expressly reserved; c) The fixation, reproduction and communication to the public, by any means, of fragments of literary, artistic or scientific works, when their inclusion in reports of current events is justified by the informational purpose pursued. Article 25 (Free Use for Purposes of Criticism, Discussion and Teaching) 1. The following uses of a work are lawful without the author's consent: a) The reproduction of quotations or summaries of others' works, by any means, provided they are intended for purposes of criticism, discussion or teaching and to the extent justified by the objective to be achieved; b) The inclusion of short pieces or fragments of others' works in one's own works intended for teaching; c) The reproduction, in whole or in part, of a work that has been previously made accessible to the public, provided it is made by a public library, a non-commercial documentation centre, a scientific institution or an educational establishment, and that such reproduction and the respective number of copies are limited to the needs of their own activities, and the reproduction may not cover the entirety of a book, unless its acquisition is impossible. Article 26 (Free Use for Reproduction and Adaptation for Personal Use) 1. The following uses of a work are lawful without the author's consent: a) The reproduction or adaptation of a computer program, made by a legitimate user, when necessary for the use of the program in accordance with its purpose, including error correction; b) The making of a backup copy of a computer program, made by a legitimate user, when necessary for the use of the program. Article 27 (Free Use for Parody Purposes) Parodies and analogous literary or musical compositions of a work are lawful without the author's consent, provided they do not discredit the original work.
Source links
Lei n.º 15/14, de 31 de Julho — Lei dos Direitos de Autor e Conexos
Current law confirmation · Effective 2014-07-31
40%
Relevant section: Artigos 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Dates: Effective 2014-07-31 · Enacted 2014-07-31
Why this score
As of 2025, Lei n.º 15/14 remains the copyright law in force in Angola. No amendments to the exceptions and limitations provisions (Articles 23–27) have been identified via web search. The DLA Piper guide (updated January 2023) confirms the fundamental IP framework remains the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights (Lei n.º 15/14) and the Industrial Property Law. Presidential Decree No. 125/17 of June 12, 2017 concerns registration procedures for copyright, not exceptions and limitations. No TDM-specific exception has been enacted. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Art. 25(1)(c), which permits reproduction in whole or in part by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to the needs of their own activities, with full reproduction of a book excluded unless acquisition is impossible. This is an institutional exception (PURPLE). Uses: reproduction only. Works: all works except full books (unless unavailable). Users: institutions only. The user restriction is the most restrictive element, yielding PURPLE. No broader fair use, fair dealing, general research, or TDM exception exists in the law.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of lawfully published work for exclusively private use; single copy of short excerpts by natural person for private non-profit use. Excludes integral reproduction of books, visual arts works, and digital databases.
Reproduction of speeches, press reports, and fragments of works for information purposes in current events reporting.
Reproduction of quotations or summaries for purposes of criticism, discussion or teaching, to the extent justified by the objective.
Inclusion of short pieces or fragments of others' works in one's own works intended for teaching.
Reproduction in whole or in part by public libraries, non-commercial documentation centres, scientific institutions, or educational establishments, limited to needs of their own activities. Full reproduction of a book excluded unless acquisition is impossible.
Reproduction or adaptation of computer programs by legitimate users for intended use and backup copies.
Parodies and analogous compositions, provided they do not discredit the original work.
Original text
Artigo 25.º (Utilização Livre para Fins de Crítica, Discussão e Ensino) 1. São lícitas, sem o consentimento do autor, as seguintes utilizações da obra: ... c) A reprodução, no todo ou em parte, de uma obra que tenha sido previamente tornada acessível ao público, desde que feita por uma biblioteca pública, um centro de documentação não comercial, uma instituição científica ou um estabelecimento de ensino, e que essa reprodução e o respectivo número de exemplares se limitem às necessidades das suas actividades próprias, não podendo a reprodução atingir a totalidade de um livro, salvo se for impossível a sua aquisição.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 25 (Free Use for Purposes of Criticism, Discussion and Teaching) 1. The following uses of a work are lawful without the author's consent: ... c) The reproduction, in whole or in part, of a work that has been previously made accessible to the public, provided it is made by a public library, a non-commercial documentation centre, a scientific institution or an educational establishment, and that such reproduction and the respective number of copies are limited to the needs of their own activities, and the reproduction may not cover the entirety of a book, unless its acquisition is impossible.