Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Ley 44 de 1993.
60%
Current rationale
Ley 44 de 1993 primarily modified Ley 23 de 1982 regarding duration of related rights (Art. 2), registration requirements (Arts. 3–8), collective management societies, and criminal penalties. It did not add, remove, or modify any of the exceptions and limitations in Articles 31–43 of Ley 23 de 1982. The research-relevant exceptions (Arts. 31, 37, 38, 40, 43) remained unchanged. Therefore the classification remains LIGHT BLUE based on the same analysis as the baseline. This event is included because Ley 44 is the most significant amendment to Ley 23 between 1982 and 2018, but it did not affect the exceptions relevant to research.
Exceptions considered
Quotation right: permits citing necessary passages
Reproduction of literary or scientific work, single copy, private use, no profit
Public library reproduction for readers or inter-library lending of out-of-print works
Free utilization of all works in private home without profit
Law changes
Ley 23 de 1982 sobre derechos de autor
Baseline · Effective 1982-01-28
60%
Relevant section: Artículos 31–43
Dates: Effective 1982-01-28 · Enacted 1982-01-28
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception is Article 37, which permits reproduction of a literary or scientific work in a single copy for private use without profit motive. This covers reproduction of full works but is limited to: (1) literary or scientific works only (excluding e.g. artistic works, musical works, audiovisual works), (2) a single copy, (3) private use by the interested party, and (4) no profit motive. Article 43 permits free utilization of works in the private home without profit, which could be broader in terms of uses covered but is restricted to the 'private home' (domicilio privado). Article 38 is a library exception limited to public libraries for conservation or inter-library lending of out-of-print works. Article 31 is a quotation right limited to passages. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception. Article 37 is the most permissive for a researcher: it permits full-work reproduction but only for private use (individual, not institutional, not sharing). However, Article 37 is limited to 'literary or scientific' works, which excludes artistic works. This work-type restriction would normally push toward ORANGE. But 'literary or scientific' is quite broad and covers the main categories relevant to research. The 'private use' restriction limits the user class to individuals. Considering the compound restrictions: the private-use limitation (LIGHT BLUE) and the work-type limitation (literary or scientific only, which could be ORANGE), the most restrictive element governs. However, Article 43 covers all types of works ('scientific, literary and artistic') for use in the private home — this is broader on works but narrower on context (private home only). Between Art. 37 (literary/scientific works, private use, reproduction) and Art. 43 (all works, private home, utilization), Art. 43 is arguably more permissive because it covers all work types and 'utilization' (not just reproduction), though limited to the private home. Both are restricted to private/personal contexts. The combination yields LIGHT BLUE: full-work reproduction/use is permitted but only for private/personal purposes. Non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral factors.
Exceptions considered
Quotation right: permits citing an author by transcribing necessary passages, provided not so extensive as to constitute substantial reproduction
Reproduction of a literary or scientific work in a single copy for private use without profit motive
Public libraries may reproduce a copy of out-of-print protected works for reader use or inter-library lending
Students may note and collect lectures freely, but publication/reproduction prohibited without authorization
Free utilization of scientific, literary and artistic works in the private home without profit motive
Original text
ARTICULO 31. Es permitido citar a un autor transcribiendo los pasajes necesarios, siempre que éstos no sean tantos y seguidos que razonablemente puedan considerarse como una reproducción simulada y sustancial, que redunde en perjuicio del autor de la obra de donde se toman. En cada cita deberá mencionarse el nombre del autor de la obra citada y el título de dicha obra. Cuando la inclusión de obras ajenas constituya la parte principal de la nueva obra, a petición de parte interesada, los tribunales fijarán equitativamente y en juicio verbal la cantidad proporcional que corresponda a cada uno de los titulares de las obras incluidas. ARTICULO 37. Es lícita la reproducción, por cualquier medio, de una obra literaria o científica, ordenada u obtenida por el interesado en un solo ejemplar para su uso privado y sin fines de lucro. ARTICULO 38. Las bibliotecas públicas pueden reproducir, para el uso exclusivo de sus lectores y cuando ello sea necesario para su conservación, o para el servicio de préstamos a otras bibliotecas, también públicas, una copia de obras protegidas depositadas en sus colecciones o archivos que se encuentren agotadas en el mercado local. ARTICULO 39. Será permitido reproducir por medio de pinturas, dibujos, fotografías o películas cinematográficas, las obras que estén colocadas de modo permanente en vías públicas, calles o plazas, y distribuir y comunicar públicamente dichas reproducciones u obras. En lo que se refiere a las obras de arquitectura esta disposición sólo es aplicable a su aspecto exterior. ARTICULO 40. Las conferencias o lecciones dictadas en establecimientos de enseñanza superior, secundaria o primaria, pueden ser anotadas y recogidas libremente por los estudiantes a quienes están dirigidas, pero es prohibida su publicación o reproducción integral o parcial, sin la autorización escrita de quien las pronunció. ARTICULO 41. Es permitido a todos reproducir la Constitución, leyes, decretos, ordenanzas, acuerdos, reglamentos, demás actos administrativos y decisiones judiciales, bajo la obligación de conformarse puntualmente con la edición oficial, siempre y cuando no esté prohibido. ARTICULO 42. Es permitida la reproducción de obras protegidas o de fragmentos de ellas, en la medida que se estime necesaria por quien desempeñe la función de juez, para su uso dentro de un proceso judicial o por un cuerpo legislativo o administrativo del orden nacional, departamental o municipal. ARTICULO 43. Es libre la utilización de obras científicas, literarias y artísticas en el domicilio privado sin ánimo de lucro.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: ARTICLE 31. It is permitted to quote an author by transcribing the necessary passages, provided these are not so many and consecutive that they could reasonably be considered a simulated and substantial reproduction, to the detriment of the author of the work from which they are taken. In each quotation the name of the cited author and the title of said work must be mentioned. When the inclusion of others' works constitutes the main part of the new work, at the request of an interested party, the courts shall equitably fix in summary proceedings the proportional amount corresponding to each of the holders of the included works. ARTICLE 37. The reproduction, by any means, of a literary or scientific work, ordered or obtained by the interested party in a single copy for private use and without profit motive, is lawful. ARTICLE 38. Public libraries may reproduce, for the exclusive use of their readers and when necessary for conservation, or for lending services to other public libraries, a copy of protected works deposited in their collections or archives that are out of print in the local market. ARTICLE 39. It shall be permitted to reproduce by means of paintings, drawings, photographs or cinematographic films, works that are permanently placed on public roads, streets or squares, and to distribute and publicly communicate such reproductions or works. With respect to architectural works this provision applies only to their exterior appearance. ARTICLE 40. Lectures or lessons given in higher, secondary or primary educational establishments may be freely noted and collected by the students to whom they are directed, but their publication or integral or partial reproduction is prohibited without the written authorization of the person who delivered them. ARTICLE 41. It is permitted for all to reproduce the Constitution, laws, decrees, ordinances, agreements, regulations, other administrative acts and judicial decisions, under the obligation to conform punctually to the official edition, provided it is not prohibited. ARTICLE 42. The reproduction of protected works or fragments thereof is permitted, to the extent deemed necessary by whoever performs the function of judge, for use within a judicial proceeding or by a legislative or administrative body of the national, departmental or municipal order. ARTICLE 43. The use of scientific, literary and artistic works in the private home without profit motive is free.
Source links
Ley 44 de 1993
Relevant update · Effective 1993-02-05
60%
Relevant section: Artículo 2 (modifying Art. 29 of Ley 23 de 1982)
Dates: Effective 1993-02-05 · Enacted 1993-02-05
Why this score
Ley 44 de 1993 primarily modified Ley 23 de 1982 regarding duration of related rights (Art. 2), registration requirements (Arts. 3–8), collective management societies, and criminal penalties. It did not add, remove, or modify any of the exceptions and limitations in Articles 31–43 of Ley 23 de 1982. The research-relevant exceptions (Arts. 31, 37, 38, 40, 43) remained unchanged. Therefore the classification remains LIGHT BLUE based on the same analysis as the baseline. This event is included because Ley 44 is the most significant amendment to Ley 23 between 1982 and 2018, but it did not affect the exceptions relevant to research.
Exceptions considered
Quotation right: permits citing necessary passages
Reproduction of literary or scientific work, single copy, private use, no profit
Public library reproduction for readers or inter-library lending of out-of-print works
Free utilization of all works in private home without profit
Source links
Ley 1915 de 2018
Relevant update · Effective 2018-07-12
20%
Relevant section: Artículos 12–17 (new exceptions chapter, especially Art. 12 modifying Art. 12 of Ley 23/1982, and Arts. 13–17 adding new limitations)
Dates: Effective 2018-07-12 · Enacted 2018-07-12
Why this score
Ley 1915 de 2018 significantly restructured the exceptions in Ley 23 de 1982. The new Art. 32 Ter (added by Art. 14 of Ley 1915) creates a personal/private copy exception for natural persons covering works, performances, phonograms and broadcasts — but explicitly prohibits copying the entirety of a book, a musical work in graphic form, or the entirety of a database. This replaces the old Art. 37 as the primary private-use provision. Art. 43 of Ley 23 de 1982 (free utilization in the private home) was not expressly repealed by Ley 1915 and may still be in force, but the new Art. 32 Ter is more specific and its explicit prohibition on copying entire books, musical scores, and databases represents a narrowing. The new Art. 32 Quáter (libraries) limits library reproduction for users to 'an article or brief extract.' The old Art. 37 (reproduction of a literary or scientific work in a single copy for private use) may have been implicitly superseded by the more specific Art. 32 Ter. Evaluating the most permissive exception: Art. 32 Ter permits personal/private copying of full works EXCEPT books, musical works in graphic form, and databases. This means full-work reproduction IS permitted for some types of works (e.g., audiovisual works, sound recordings, individual articles, photographs, software) but NOT for books, musical scores, or databases. This is a work-type exclusion that maps to ORANGE: full-work reproduction is available for some but not all categories of works. Art. 43 (utilization in private home) could theoretically still permit broader use, but given the specificity of Art. 32 Ter's prohibitions, the more specific later provision likely governs. Even if Art. 43 survives, the explicit prohibition in Art. 32 Ter creates genuine ambiguity. The safest reading is ORANGE: full-work reproduction is permitted for some work types but explicitly excluded for books, musical scores, and databases. Uses: reproduction only (Art. 32 Ter says 'hacer copia'). Works: all except entire books, musical scores in graphic form, and entire databases. Users: natural persons only (private/personal use). Non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Quotation right: permits citing necessary passages
Use of works for illustration in teaching, within justified measure
Transitory/incidental copies as part of technological process not considered reproduction or communication
Personal/private copy by natural persons, no profit, from lawful copy; but cannot copy entirety of a book, musical work in graphic form, or entirety of a database
Libraries/archives may reproduce for preservation or replacement; may reproduce an article or brief extract for personal/private use of a user
Reprographic reproduction of articles or brief extracts for teaching/exams in educational institutions
Public library reproduction of out-of-print works for readers or inter-library lending
Free utilization of scientific, literary and artistic works in private home without profit
Original text
ARTÍCULO 12. Modifíquese el artículo 32 de la Ley 23 de 1982, el cual quedará así: Artículo 32. Es permitido utilizar obras literarias o artísticas o parte de ellas, a título de ilustración, en obras destinadas a la enseñanza, por medio de publicaciones, emisiones de radiodifusión o grabaciones sonoras o visuales, dentro de la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, o comunicar con propósitos de enseñanza la obra radiodifundida para fines escolares, educativos, universitarios y de formación profesional sin fines de lucro, con la obligación de mencionar el nombre del autor y el título de las obras así utilizadas. ARTÍCULO 13. Adiciónese un artículo 32 Bis a la Ley 23 de 1982, así: Artículo 32 Bis. No se considerará comunicación ni reproducción, la obtención de copias de obras, interpretaciones o ejecuciones, fonogramas y emisiones, en forma de copia transitoria o accesoria, que forme parte integrante y esencial de un proceso tecnológico, y cuya única finalidad consista en facilitar una transmisión en una red entre terceras partes por un intermediario, o una utilización lícita de una obra u otra materia protegida, y que no tenga una significación económica independiente. ARTÍCULO 14. Adiciónese un artículo 32 Ter a la Ley 23 de 1982, así: Artículo 32 Ter. Las personas naturales podrán hacer copia de una obra, interpretación, fonograma o emisión para su uso personal y privado, sin ánimo de lucro, siempre que se realice con base en un ejemplar adquirido lícitamente. No se podrán realizar copias de la totalidad de un libro, de una obra musical en forma gráfica, ni de la totalidad de una base de datos. ARTÍCULO 15. Adiciónese un artículo 32 Quáter a la Ley 23 de 1982, así: Artículo 32 Quáter. Las bibliotecas, centros de documentación y archivos que no tengan fines de lucro, podrán: a) Reproducir una obra que forma parte de su colección permanente, con el fin de preservar dicho ejemplar y sustituirlo en caso de extravío, destrucción o inutilización; o para sustituir en la colección permanente de otra biblioteca o archivo, un ejemplar que se haya extraviado, destruido o inutilizado, siempre y cuando no resulte posible adquirir tal ejemplar en plazo y condiciones razonables. La reproducción se limitará a una copia. b) Reproducir un ejemplar de una obra para el uso personal y privado de un usuario, cuando la copia sea solicitada por dicho usuario, siempre que: 1. Se trate de un artículo o breve extracto de una obra lícitamente publicada, y que la reproducción sea necesaria para dicho uso; 2. Se realice una sola copia. ARTÍCULO 16. Adiciónese un artículo 32 Quinquies a la Ley 23 de 1982, así: Artículo 32 Quinquies. Las personas con discapacidad podrán, sin autorización del autor y sin pago de remuneración alguna, realizar actos de reproducción, distribución y comunicación pública de obras, interpretaciones o ejecuciones, fonogramas y emisiones, en formatos accesibles, siempre que dichos actos se relacionen directamente con la discapacidad de que se trate, se lleven a cabo sin ánimo de lucro y sean estrictamente necesarios. ARTÍCULO 17. Adiciónese un artículo 32 Sexies a la Ley 23 de 1982, así: Artículo 32 Sexies. Será lícita la reproducción por reprografía para la enseñanza o la realización de exámenes en instituciones educativas, siempre que no haya fines de lucro y en la medida requerida para el objetivo perseguido, de artículos o de breves extractos de obras lícitamente publicadas, a condición de que tal utilización se haga conforme a los usos honrados.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: ARTICLE 12. Article 32 of Law 23 of 1982 is modified to read as follows: Article 32. It is permitted to use literary or artistic works or parts thereof, by way of illustration, in works intended for teaching, by means of publications, radio broadcasts or sound or visual recordings, within the measure justified by the purpose pursued, or to communicate for teaching purposes the broadcast work for school, educational, university and professional training purposes without profit motive, with the obligation to mention the name of the author and the title of the works so used. ARTICLE 13. An Article 32 Bis is added to Law 23 of 1982, as follows: Article 32 Bis. The obtaining of copies of works, performances, phonograms and broadcasts, in the form of a transitory or incidental copy, which forms an integral and essential part of a technological process, and whose sole purpose is to facilitate a transmission in a network between third parties by an intermediary, or a lawful use of a work or other protected matter, and which has no independent economic significance, shall not be considered communication or reproduction. ARTICLE 14. An Article 32 Ter is added to Law 23 of 1982, as follows: Article 32 Ter. Natural persons may make a copy of a work, performance, phonogram or broadcast for their personal and private use, without profit motive, provided it is made from a lawfully acquired copy. Copies of the entirety of a book, of a musical work in graphic form, or of the entirety of a database may not be made. ARTICLE 15. An Article 32 Quáter is added to Law 23 of 1982, as follows: Article 32 Quáter. Libraries, documentation centers and archives that do not have profit motives may: a) Reproduce a work that forms part of their permanent collection, for the purpose of preserving said copy and replacing it in case of loss, destruction or uselessness; or to replace in the permanent collection of another library or archive, a copy that has been lost, destroyed or rendered useless, provided it is not possible to acquire such copy within a reasonable time and conditions. Reproduction shall be limited to one copy. b) Reproduce a copy of a work for the personal and private use of a user, when the copy is requested by said user, provided that: 1. It concerns an article or brief extract of a lawfully published work, and the reproduction is necessary for said use; 2. Only one copy is made. ARTICLE 16. An Article 32 Quinquies is added to Law 23 of 1982, as follows: Article 32 Quinquies. Persons with disabilities may, without authorization of the author and without payment of any remuneration, carry out acts of reproduction, distribution and public communication of works, performances, phonograms and broadcasts, in accessible formats, provided that such acts are directly related to the disability in question, are carried out without profit motive and are strictly necessary. ARTICLE 17. An Article 32 Sexies is added to Law 23 of 1982, as follows: Article 32 Sexies. Reprographic reproduction for teaching or the conduct of examinations in educational institutions shall be lawful, provided there is no profit motive and to the extent required for the objective pursued, of articles or brief extracts of lawfully published works, on condition that such use is made in accordance with fair practice.
Source links
Ley 23 de 1982 sobre derechos de autor (as amended by Ley 1915 de 2018)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2018-07-12
20%
Relevant section: Art. 32 Ter (private copy), Art. 32 Quáter (libraries), Art. 32 Bis (transitory copies), Art. 31 (quotation), Art. 38 (public libraries), Art. 43 (private home use)
Dates: Effective 2018-07-12 · Enacted 2018-07-12
Why this score
As of 2025, the law in force is Ley 23 de 1982 as amended by Ley 1915 de 2018. No further amendments to the exceptions and limitations provisions have been identified through 2025. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Art. 32 Ter, which permits natural persons to make a copy for personal/private use without profit, from a lawfully acquired copy, but explicitly prohibits copying the entirety of a book, a musical work in graphic form, or the entirety of a database. This permits full-work reproduction for some categories of works (e.g., audiovisual works, sound recordings, individual journal articles, photographs, broadcasts) but not for books, musical scores, or databases. This work-type exclusion maps to ORANGE. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, open research exception, or TDM exception in Colombian copyright law. The library exception (Art. 32 Quáter) is limited to articles or brief extracts for user requests, and preservation/replacement copies. Art. 38 (public libraries, out-of-print works) remains in force but is narrower (PURPLE). Art. 43 (private home utilization) may still be in force but its scope is uncertain given Art. 32 Ter's specific prohibitions. Uses: reproduction only. Works: all except entire books, musical scores in graphic form, and entire databases. Users: natural persons (private/personal use). Non-commercial restriction and lawful-acquisition requirement are classification-neutral factors.
Exceptions considered
Quotation right: permits citing necessary passages
Use of works for illustration in teaching
Transitory/incidental copies in technological processes
Personal/private copy by natural persons; cannot copy entirety of book, musical score, or database
Library/archive reproduction: preservation copies and articles/brief extracts for users
Reproduction, distribution and communication for persons with disabilities in accessible formats
Reprographic reproduction of articles or brief extracts for teaching/exams
Public library reproduction of out-of-print works for readers or inter-library lending
Free utilization of all works in private home without profit
Original text
Artículo 32 Ter. Las personas naturales podrán hacer copia de una obra, interpretación, fonograma o emisión para su uso personal y privado, sin ánimo de lucro, siempre que se realice con base en un ejemplar adquirido lícitamente. No se podrán realizar copias de la totalidad de un libro, de una obra musical en forma gráfica, ni de la totalidad de una base de datos.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 32 Ter. Natural persons may make a copy of a work, performance, phonogram or broadcast for their personal and private use, without profit motive, provided it is made from a lawfully acquired copy. Copies of the entirety of a book, of a musical work in graphic form, or of the entirety of a database may not be made.