Selected year snapshot
For 2001, the active event in this file is কপিরাইট আইন, ২০০০ (Copyright Act, 2000, Act No. 28 of 2000).
100%
Current rationale
The Copyright Act 2000 replaced the Copyright Ordinance 1962. Section 72(1)(a)(i) provides a fair dealing exception for 'research or private study' applicable to literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works. The term 'fair dealing' covers any exclusive right, not only reproduction. 'Research' and 'private study' are listed as independent purposes. The exception is open to any user and covers all categories of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. This maps to GREEN. Additional exceptions include: Section 72(1)(k) for library copying (up to 3 copies of a book), Section 72(1)(o) for reproduction by teachers/pupils, and various other specific exceptions. The fair dealing for research exception remains the most permissive. Note: the Act does not explicitly cover sound recordings and cinematograph films under the fair dealing clause (those are covered under separate provisions in Sections 33-37 for broadcasting/performer rights), but the core literary/dramatic/musical/artistic works coverage under fair dealing is broad. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, copy limits) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study
Fair dealing for purposes of criticism or review
Library copying: making not more than 3 copies of a book by or under direction of person in charge of a public library for use of the library if book not available for sale in Bangladesh
Reproduction by a teacher or pupil in the course of instruction
Law changes
Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (Ordinance No. XXXIV of 1962, as amended up to 1978)
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
100%
Relevant section: Section 6(1)
Dates: Effective 1990-01-01 · Enacted 1962-06-02
Why this score
The Copyright Ordinance 1962 (as amended up to 1978) was the law in force in Bangladesh on 1990-01-01. Section 6(1) provided a fair dealing exception for the purposes of 'research or private study.' The term 'fair dealing' covers any exclusive right (not only reproduction), and the exception is open to any user and any type of work. 'Research' and 'private study' are listed as independent purposes separated by 'or', so the research purpose is not qualified by 'private.' This maps to GREEN. Additional exceptions existed for quotation (Section 6(1)(ii) — criticism/review), educational use, and library copying, but the fair dealing for research exception is the most permissive. Non-commercial restrictions, copy limits, and proportionality qualifiers are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study
Fair dealing for purposes of criticism or review
Reproduction by a teacher or pupil in the course of instruction
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in such work.
Source links
কপিরাইট আইন, ২০০০ (Copyright Act, 2000, Act No. 28 of 2000)
Relevant update · Effective 2000-07-18
100%
Relevant section: Section 72
Dates: Effective 2000-07-18 · Enacted 2000-07-18
Why this score
The Copyright Act 2000 replaced the Copyright Ordinance 1962. Section 72(1)(a)(i) provides a fair dealing exception for 'research or private study' applicable to literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works. The term 'fair dealing' covers any exclusive right, not only reproduction. 'Research' and 'private study' are listed as independent purposes. The exception is open to any user and covers all categories of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. This maps to GREEN. Additional exceptions include: Section 72(1)(k) for library copying (up to 3 copies of a book), Section 72(1)(o) for reproduction by teachers/pupils, and various other specific exceptions. The fair dealing for research exception remains the most permissive. Note: the Act does not explicitly cover sound recordings and cinematograph films under the fair dealing clause (those are covered under separate provisions in Sections 33-37 for broadcasting/performer rights), but the core literary/dramatic/musical/artistic works coverage under fair dealing is broad. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, copy limits) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study
Fair dealing for purposes of criticism or review
Library copying: making not more than 3 copies of a book by or under direction of person in charge of a public library for use of the library if book not available for sale in Bangladesh
Reproduction by a teacher or pupil in the course of instruction
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Section 72 — Certain acts not to be infringement of copyright: (1) The following acts shall not constitute an infringement of copyright, namely: (a) fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of — (i) research or private study; (ii) criticism or review, whether of that work or of any other work; (b) fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purpose of reporting current events — (i) in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical, or (ii) by broadcasting or in a cinematograph film or by means of photographs; ... (k) the making of not more than three copies of a book (including a pamphlet, sheet of music, map, chart or plan) by or under the direction of the person in charge of a public library for the use of the library if such book is not available for sale in Bangladesh.
Source links
কপিরাইট আইন, ২০০০ (সংশোধিত ২০০৫) / Copyright Act, 2000 (as amended by Act No. XIV of 2005)
Relevant update · Effective 2005-01-01
100%
Relevant section: Section 72
Dates: Effective 2005-01-01 · Enacted 2005-01-01
Why this score
The 2005 amendment to the Copyright Act 2000 introduced provisions including Section 28A (copyright term for computer-generated works) and adjustments to licensing provisions (Section 52 on translation/adaptation licenses). The core fair dealing exception in Section 72(1)(a)(i) for research or private study was not materially altered. The classification remains GREEN based on the unchanged fair dealing for research provision. All previously identified exceptions remain in force with the same scope.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study
Fair dealing for purposes of criticism or review
Library copying: making not more than 3 copies of a book for public library use
Reproduction by a teacher or pupil in the course of instruction
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Section 72(1)(a)(i) — Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study [not constituting infringement]. The 2005 amendment added Section 28A on copyright term for computer-generated works and made other adjustments, but the fair dealing provision in Section 72(1)(a)(i) remained substantively unchanged.
Source links
কপিরাইট আইন, ২০২৩ (Copyright Act, 2023)
Relevant update · Effective 2023-09-18
100%
Relevant section: Section 72
Dates: Effective 2023-09-18 · Enacted 2023-09-18
Why this score
The Copyright Act 2023 was published on 18 September 2023 per the Bangladesh Copyright Office website. This Act replaces the Copyright Act 2000. Based on the legislative tradition of Bangladesh and the known structure of the 2022 draft (which was vetted on 22 June 2022 per the Copyright Office website), the new Act is expected to retain a fair dealing exception for research or private study, consistent with the longstanding provision. Without access to the full verbatim text, the classification is maintained as GREEN based on the strong presumption of continuity of the fair dealing for research provision, which has been a feature of Bangladesh copyright law since 1962. However, this classification carries uncertainty because the full text of the 2023 Act could not be verified.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study (presumed retained from prior law)
Library copying provision (presumed retained from prior law)
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: The Copyright Act 2023 was enacted on 18 September 2023, replacing the Copyright Act 2000. The new Act is expected to contain updated exceptions and limitations including fair dealing provisions for research and private study, though the full text could not be retrieved for verbatim extraction.
Source links
কপিরাইট আইন, ২০২৩ (Copyright Act, 2023)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2023-09-18
100%
Dates: Effective 2023-09-18 · Enacted 2023-09-18
Why this score
As of 2025, the Copyright Act 2023 is the law in force in Bangladesh. Based on the legislative history and tradition of Bangladesh copyright law — which has consistently included a fair dealing exception for research or private study since the Copyright Ordinance 1962, through the Copyright Act 2000, and into the 2023 Act — the classification is GREEN. The fair dealing exception for research covers any exclusive right ('dealing'), is open to any user, and applies to literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. This is the most permissive exception available. The classification does not factor in non-commercial restrictions, copy limits, or proportionality qualifiers, which are classification-neutral. However, the full verbatim text of the 2023 Act could not be verified, introducing some uncertainty.
Exceptions considered
Fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work for the purposes of research or private study — presumed retained from Copyright Act 2000 Section 72(1)(a)(i)
Library copying provision — presumed retained
Reproduction by teacher or pupil in course of instruction — presumed retained