Selected year snapshot
For 2000, the active event in this file is Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 1993 (BGBl. Nr. 93/1993).
60%
Current rationale
The 1993 Copyright Amendment (Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 1993, BGBl. Nr. 93/1993) transposed EU Directive 91/250/EEC on the legal protection of computer programs. It restructured § 42 and introduced specific provisions for computer programs (§ 40a-40e), which excluded computer programs from the general private copying exception. The own-use/research copying exception in § 42 continued to apply to other works. The exclusion of computer programs from the private copying exception means that for computer programs specifically, the research exception no longer applied. However, for all other types of works, the own-use reproduction for research remained available. Since computer programs are excluded from the general private-use exception, this could be seen as an ORANGE situation (full-work reproduction available but not for all work types). However, the research-specific provision in § 42 still permitted reproduction of full works of most types for own research use. The most permissive reading remains LIGHT BLUE: reproduction of full works for own/private research use, but not covering sharing/communication, and restricted to individual own use. The exclusion of computer programs is a work-type restriction but the exception still covers the vast majority of work types.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of individual copies for own use, including for research purposes; computer programs now excluded from this exception
Specific exceptions for computer programs (backup copy, observation/study/testing) — narrow, not general research
Quotation right
Law changes
Urheberrechtsgesetz (UrhG)
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
60%
Relevant section: § 42
Dates: Effective 1990-01-01 · Enacted 1936-04-09
Why this score
The Austrian Urheberrechtsgesetz as in force on 1990-01-01 contained § 42 permitting reproduction of individual copies for 'eigenen Gebrauch' (own use). Subsection (3) specifically allowed reproduction for research purposes, including by third parties, provided it was non-commercial. However, the exception was limited to 'Vervielfältigungsstücke' (reproduction copies) — it did not cover communication to the public, distribution, or making available. The qualifier 'zum eigenen Gebrauch' (for own use) restricts the beneficiary to the individual user's personal sphere. There was no general fair dealing or fair use clause. The quotation right (§ 46) permitted only quotations/excerpts, not full-work reproduction. § 42 permitted reproduction of full works (no excerpt limitation) for any type of work, but restricted to own/private use. The non-commercial restriction is classification-neutral. The 'own use' qualifier makes this LIGHT BLUE rather than BLUE, as it restricts the user class to individuals acting privately. Note: The exact text of § 42 as in force on 1990-01-01 reflects the version after the 1988 amendment (BGBl. Nr. 601/1988). The 1993 amendment later restructured this provision. The verbatim text above reflects the pre-1993 version as best reconstructable from the amendment history; the consolidated text verified is the current version. The substance of the own-use/research exception existed in similar form.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of individual copies for own use; subsection on research use permitting reproduction by third parties for non-commercial research purposes
Quotation right — permits quotation of individual passages of a published work
Original text
§ 42. (1) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen. (2) Einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke eines Werkes darf jedermann zum eigenen Gebrauch unentgeltlich und nicht zu gewerblichen Zwecken von einem anderen herstellen lassen. (3) Einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke eines Werkes dürfen zum eigenen Gebrauch zu Zwecken der Forschung hergestellt werden, und zwar auch durch andere Personen, sofern dies nicht gewerblichen Zwecken dient.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 42. (1) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use. (2) Individual copies of a work may be made by another person for one's own use, free of charge and not for commercial purposes. (3) Individual copies of a work may be made for one's own use for the purposes of research, including by other persons, provided this does not serve commercial purposes.
Source links
Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 1993 (BGBl. Nr. 93/1993)
Relevant update · Effective 1993-03-01
60%
Relevant section: § 42
Dates: Effective 1993-03-01 · Enacted 1993-02-12
Why this score
The 1993 Copyright Amendment (Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 1993, BGBl. Nr. 93/1993) transposed EU Directive 91/250/EEC on the legal protection of computer programs. It restructured § 42 and introduced specific provisions for computer programs (§ 40a-40e), which excluded computer programs from the general private copying exception. The own-use/research copying exception in § 42 continued to apply to other works. The exclusion of computer programs from the private copying exception means that for computer programs specifically, the research exception no longer applied. However, for all other types of works, the own-use reproduction for research remained available. Since computer programs are excluded from the general private-use exception, this could be seen as an ORANGE situation (full-work reproduction available but not for all work types). However, the research-specific provision in § 42 still permitted reproduction of full works of most types for own research use. The most permissive reading remains LIGHT BLUE: reproduction of full works for own/private research use, but not covering sharing/communication, and restricted to individual own use. The exclusion of computer programs is a work-type restriction but the exception still covers the vast majority of work types.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of individual copies for own use, including for research purposes; computer programs now excluded from this exception
Specific exceptions for computer programs (backup copy, observation/study/testing) — narrow, not general research
Quotation right
Source links
Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 2003 (BGBl. I Nr. 32/2003)
Relevant update · Effective 2003-07-01
60%
Relevant section: § 42
Dates: Effective 2003-07-01 · Enacted 2003-04-01
Why this score
The 2003 amendment (BGBl. I Nr. 32/2003) transposed EU Directive 2001/29/EC (InfoSoc Directive) and substantially restructured § 42. The key research exception is § 42(3), which permits 'everyone' to make individual copies for own use for research purposes, insofar as justified for non-commercial purposes. This is a full-work reproduction right (no excerpt limitation in subsection 3), open to any person, but restricted to 'eigenen Gebrauch' (own use) and to reproduction only — no communication/sharing right. § 42(2) introduced a new restriction: on digital media, reproduction of an entire book or entire journal for own use is NOT permitted (except under subsection 3 for research). § 42(3) for research does NOT contain the whole-book restriction of subsection 2, meaning research copying can extend to whole books. § 42(5) permits schools and universities to reproduce and distribute copies for teaching purposes — this is an institutional exception covering both reproduction and distribution but limited to teaching, not research per se. § 42(8) excludes computer programs and electronic databases from subsections 1 and 2, but notably NOT from subsection 3 (research). This means the research exception in § 42(3) may still apply to computer programs and databases. The most permissive research exception remains § 42(3): reproduction of full works for own research use by any person, non-commercial. This is LIGHT BLUE because it covers reproduction only (not sharing/communication) and is restricted to 'own use' (individual/private sphere). The non-commercial restriction is classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of individual copies for own use for research purposes, non-commercial, by any person, full works permitted
Reproduction on paper or similar medium for own use — any work, any person, but paper only
Reproduction on digital media for own use — excludes whole books/journals, non-commercial
Schools and universities may reproduce and distribute copies for teaching/examination purposes
Public collecting institutions may reproduce for archival purposes; digital only for preservation
Quotation right — quotation of individual passages of a published work
Original text
§ 42. (1) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke auf Papier oder einem ähnlichen Träger zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen. (2) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch auf anderen als den in Abs. 1 genannten Trägern herstellen, soweit es sich nicht um eine Vervielfältigung zum eigenen Gebrauch eines ganzen Buches oder einer ganzen Zeitschrift handelt und soweit dies nicht zu gewerblichen Zwecken geschieht; dies gilt auch dann, wenn die Vervielfältigung durch einen anderen auf Bestellung hergestellt wird. (3) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen, wenn dies zu Zwecken der Forschung geschieht und soweit es zur Verfolgung nicht gewerblicher Zwecke gerechtfertigt ist. (4) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen, wenn es sich um ein zum eigenen Gebrauch des Vervielfältigenden bestimmtes Werkstück handelt und die Vervielfältigung zu Zwecken der Sicherung erfolgt. (5) Schulen und Universitäten dürfen für Zwecke des Unterrichts beziehungsweise der Lehre in dem dadurch gerechtfertigen Umfang Vervielfältigungsstücke in der für eine bestimmte Schulklasse beziehungsweise Lehrveranstaltung erforderlichen Anzahl herstellen und verbreiten; dies gilt auch für Zwecke der Prüfung. Auf anderen als den in Abs. 1 genannten Trägern ist dies nur zur Verfolgung nicht gewerblicher Zwecke zulässig. (6) Öffentliche Einrichtungen, die Werkstücke sammeln, dürfen Vervielfältigungsstücke zur Aufnahme in ein eigenes Archiv herstellen; dies ist auf anderen als den in Abs. 1 genannten Trägern nur dann zulässig, wenn und soweit die Vervielfältigung zu Zwecken der Erhaltung geboten ist. (7) Die Vervielfältigung muss – soweit sie nicht bloß zum eigenen Gebrauch von Werken der Tonkunst, der bildenden Künste oder der Filmkunst auf anderen als den in Abs. 1 genannten Trägern geschieht – von einer natürlichen Person vorgenommen werden oder auf deren Bestellung durch einen anderen erfolgen. (8) Computerprogramme (§ 40a) und elektronische Datenbanken (§ 40f) dürfen weder nach Abs. 1 noch nach Abs. 2 vervielfältigt werden.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 42. (1) Everyone may make individual copies of a work on paper or a similar medium for their own use. (2) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use on media other than those referred to in paragraph 1, provided it does not involve the reproduction for own use of an entire book or an entire journal and provided this does not serve commercial purposes; this also applies when the reproduction is made by another person on commission. (3) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use if this is done for the purposes of research and insofar as it is justified for the pursuit of non-commercial purposes. (4) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use if it concerns a copy of the work intended for the personal use of the person making the copy and the reproduction is made for purposes of backup. (5) Schools and universities may, for purposes of teaching, produce and distribute copies in the number required for a specific class or course, to the extent justified thereby; this also applies for examination purposes. On media other than those referred to in paragraph 1, this is only permissible for the pursuit of non-commercial purposes. (6) Public institutions that collect works may produce copies for inclusion in their own archive; on media other than those referred to in paragraph 1, this is only permissible if and insofar as the reproduction is necessary for preservation purposes. (7) The reproduction must — insofar as it does not merely concern own use of works of music, visual arts, or cinematographic art on media other than those referred to in paragraph 1 — be carried out by a natural person or by another person on their commission. (8) Computer programs (§ 40a) and electronic databases (§ 40f) may not be reproduced under either paragraph 1 or paragraph 2.
Source links
Urheberrechtsgesetz-Novelle 2021 (BGBl. I Nr. 244/2021)
Relevant update · Effective 2021-12-31
60%
Relevant section: § 42h, § 42i
Dates: Effective 2021-12-31 · Enacted 2021-12-30
Why this score
The 2021 amendment (BGBl. I Nr. 244/2021) transposed EU Directives 2019/789 and 2019/790 (DSM Directive). It introduced two new TDM exceptions: § 42h (general TDM exception for any user, covering reproduction only, subject to rights-holder opt-out for non-research uses) and § 42i (TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions, with stronger protections including contract-override and no opt-out). § 42h permits reproduction for TDM by anyone ('Vervielfältigungen ... sind zulässig') but covers only reproduction, not communication/sharing. § 42i is limited to research organisations and cultural heritage institutions. Neither TDM provision covers communication to the public or sharing of copies. The pre-existing § 42(3) research exception (reproduction for own use for research) also remains in force. Assessing the most permissive exception: § 42h is open to any user and any work for TDM (reproduction only) — this would be BLUE. However, § 42h is subject to a rights-holder opt-out (the DSM Directive Art. 4 allows rights holders to reserve their rights for non-research TDM). The Austrian implementation follows this structure. For research TDM specifically, § 42i provides a non-overridable right but only for institutions. § 42(3) remains the most permissive general research exception: reproduction of full works for own use for research by any person. This is LIGHT BLUE. § 42h for general TDM is BLUE (reproduction only, any user, any work) but subject to opt-out for non-research purposes. For research TDM, § 42h without opt-out would be BLUE. However, the overall classification considers the most permissive exception for research use generally. § 42h for TDM covers reproduction of any work by any user — this is BLUE. But § 42(3) for general research also covers reproduction of full works for own use — also effectively BLUE/LIGHT BLUE. The key question is whether § 42h's TDM exception (which is not restricted to 'own use') is more permissive than § 42(3). § 42h permits reproduction for TDM without the 'own use' restriction, meaning institutional and collaborative TDM is covered. This makes § 42h effectively BLUE (reproduction, all works, all users). However, § 42h does not cover communication/sharing, so it cannot be GREEN. The overall classification is BLUE based on § 42h: reproduction for TDM purposes, any user, any work, no sharing. Wait — re-examining: § 42h covers 'Vervielfältigungen' (reproductions) only. It does not restrict to 'own use.' It is open to any person. It covers all works. But it only covers reproduction, not communication. This is BLUE. However, the rights-holder opt-out for non-research commercial TDM is classification-neutral (it's a proportionality qualifier). For research TDM, there is no opt-out (per DSM Directive Art. 3 transposed in § 42i). Actually, re-reading: § 42h transposes Art. 4 DSM (general TDM, with opt-out), and § 42i transposes Art. 3 DSM (research TDM, no opt-out, institutional only). For research purposes: § 42i covers research TDM but only for institutions (PURPLE). § 42h covers general TDM for any user but subject to opt-out. For research use, the opt-out does not apply per the DSM framework, but the Austrian text of § 42h does not explicitly exclude research from the opt-out — that protection is in § 42i. So § 42h as written permits TDM reproduction by anyone, but rights holders can opt out. § 42i provides a non-overridable right for research institutions. The most permissive for an individual researcher doing TDM: § 42h (any user, reproduction, but subject to opt-out). The most permissive for research generally: § 42(3) remains available for non-TDM research copying. Overall: § 42(3) = LIGHT BLUE (own use, reproduction, full works, any person). § 42h = BLUE (any user, reproduction, all works, no own-use restriction) but with opt-out possibility. Given the opt-out is a proportionality/access qualifier (classification-neutral per instructions), § 42h is BLUE. This is more permissive than LIGHT BLUE. Revising classification to BLUE.
Exceptions considered
General TDM exception: reproduction of lawfully accessible works for text and data mining, any user, subject to rights-holder opt-out (for non-research uses)
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and secure storage; contract-override; no opt-out
Reproduction of individual copies for own use for research purposes, non-commercial, any person, full works
Reproduction on paper or similar medium for own use
Reproduction on digital media for own use — excludes whole books/journals, non-commercial
Schools and universities: reproduction and distribution for teaching/examination
Quotation right
Original text
§ 42h. (1) Vervielfältigungen von rechtmäßig zugänglichen Werken zum Zweck des Text- und Data-Mining sind zulässig. (2) Die nach Abs. 1 hergestellten Vervielfältigungen sind zu löschen, wenn sie für das Text- und Data-Mining nicht mehr erforderlich sind. (3) Vertragliche Bestimmungen, die im Widerspruch zu Abs. 1 stehen, sind unwirksam. § 42i. (1) Forschungsorganisationen und Einrichtungen des Kulturerbes dürfen Vervielfältigungen von rechtmäßig zugänglichen Werken zum Zweck des Text- und Data-Mining für die wissenschaftliche Forschung anfertigen. (2) Die nach Abs. 1 hergestellten Vervielfältigungen dürfen in einem gesicherten elektronischen Umfeld aufbewahrt werden, soweit dies für Zwecke der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, einschließlich der Überprüfung von Forschungsergebnissen, gerechtfertigt ist. (3) Vertragliche Bestimmungen, die im Widerspruch zu Abs. 1 stehen, sind unwirksam.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 42h. (1) Reproductions of lawfully accessible works for the purpose of text and data mining are permissible. (2) Reproductions made under paragraph 1 shall be deleted when they are no longer required for text and data mining. (3) Contractual provisions that conflict with paragraph 1 are void. § 42i. (1) Research organisations and cultural heritage institutions may make reproductions of lawfully accessible works for the purpose of text and data mining for scientific research. (2) Reproductions made under paragraph 1 may be stored in a secure electronic environment insofar as this is justified for purposes of scientific research, including the verification of research results. (3) Contractual provisions that conflict with paragraph 1 are void.
Source links
Urheberrechtsgesetz (UrhG), konsolidierte Fassung 2025
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
80%
Relevant section: § 42(3), § 42h, § 42i
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, the Austrian UrhG contains the following research-relevant exceptions: (1) § 42(3) — reproduction of full works for own use for research, non-commercial, by any person (LIGHT BLUE); (2) § 42h — general TDM exception permitting reproduction of lawfully accessible works for TDM by any user, with contract-override protection (BLUE); (3) § 42i — TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions, with secure storage and contract-override (PURPLE); (4) § 42(5) — educational exception for schools and universities (PURPLE); (5) § 46 — quotation right (RED). The most permissive exception is § 42h: it permits reproduction of any lawfully accessible work by any user for TDM purposes, without restriction to 'own use' or to specific institutions. It does not cover communication to the public or sharing — only reproduction ('Vervielfältigungen'). This maps to BLUE: reproduction of full works, all users, all works, but no sharing/communication right. The lawful-access requirement and deletion obligation are classification-neutral. The rights-holder opt-out mechanism (for non-research commercial TDM) is treated as a proportionality qualifier and is classification-neutral. No amendment has been made to these provisions between 2021 and 2025 that would affect the classification.
Exceptions considered
General TDM exception: reproduction of lawfully accessible works for text and data mining, any user, contract-override, subject to rights-holder opt-out for non-research uses
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and secure storage; contract-override; no opt-out
Reproduction of individual copies for own use for research purposes, non-commercial, any person, full works
Reproduction on paper or similar medium for own use — any work, any person
Reproduction on digital media for own use — excludes whole books/journals, non-commercial
Schools and universities: reproduction and distribution for teaching/examination
Public collecting institutions: reproduction for archival/preservation purposes
Quotation right — quotation of individual passages of a published work
Original text
§ 42. (1) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke auf Papier oder einem ähnlichen Träger zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen. (2) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch auf anderen als den in Abs. 1 genannten Trägern herstellen, soweit es sich nicht um eine Vervielfältigung zum eigenen Gebrauch eines ganzen Buches oder einer ganzen Zeitschrift handelt und soweit dies nicht zu gewerblichen Zwecken geschieht; dies gilt auch dann, wenn die Vervielfältigung durch einen anderen auf Bestellung hergestellt wird. (3) Jedermann darf von einem Werk einzelne Vervielfältigungsstücke zum eigenen Gebrauch herstellen, wenn dies zu Zwecken der Forschung geschieht und soweit es zur Verfolgung nicht gewerblicher Zwecke gerechtfertigt ist. ... § 42h. (1) Vervielfältigungen von rechtmäßig zugänglichen Werken zum Zweck des Text- und Data-Mining sind zulässig. (2) Die nach Abs. 1 hergestellten Vervielfältigungen sind zu löschen, wenn sie für das Text- und Data-Mining nicht mehr erforderlich sind. (3) Vertragliche Bestimmungen, die im Widerspruch zu Abs. 1 stehen, sind unwirksam. § 42i. (1) Forschungsorganisationen und Einrichtungen des Kulturerbes dürfen Vervielfältigungen von rechtmäßig zugänglichen Werken zum Zweck des Text- und Data-Mining für die wissenschaftliche Forschung anfertigen. (2) Die nach Abs. 1 hergestellten Vervielfältigungen dürfen in einem gesicherten elektronischen Umfeld aufbewahrt werden, soweit dies für Zwecke der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, einschließlich der Überprüfung von Forschungsergebnissen, gerechtfertigt ist. (3) Vertragliche Bestimmungen, die im Widerspruch zu Abs. 1 stehen, sind unwirksam.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 42. (1) Everyone may make individual copies of a work on paper or a similar medium for their own use. (2) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use on media other than those referred to in paragraph 1, provided it does not involve the reproduction for own use of an entire book or an entire journal and provided this does not serve commercial purposes; this also applies when the reproduction is made by another person on commission. (3) Everyone may make individual copies of a work for their own use if this is done for the purposes of research and insofar as it is justified for the pursuit of non-commercial purposes. ... § 42h. (1) Reproductions of lawfully accessible works for the purpose of text and data mining are permissible. (2) Reproductions made under paragraph 1 shall be deleted when they are no longer required for text and data mining. (3) Contractual provisions that conflict with paragraph 1 are void. § 42i. (1) Research organisations and cultural heritage institutions may make reproductions of lawfully accessible works for the purpose of text and data mining for scientific research. (2) Reproductions made under paragraph 1 may be stored in a secure electronic environment insofar as this is justified for purposes of scientific research, including the verification of research results. (3) Contractual provisions that conflict with paragraph 1 are void.