Selected year snapshot
For 2024, the active event in this file is Ley No. 154/2022 De los Derechos del Autor y del Artista Intérprete.
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Current rationale
As of 2025, Law 154/2022 remains in force as Cuba's copyright law. Article 44 provides a general exception permitting 'utilización' (use/utilization) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, subject to the three-step test. The term 'utilización' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution, making available). It applies to any type of work and any user. This is the most permissive exception and encompasses research use. Additional exceptions include: Article 45 (personal/private reproduction with work-type exclusions — ORANGE individually), Article 46 (institutional reproduction by libraries/archives — PURPLE individually), Article 47 (educational reproduction — PURPLE individually), and Article 51 (quotation — RED individually). The overall classification is GREEN based on Article 44. No TDM-specific exception exists, but Article 44's general scope would cover TDM activities to the extent justified by the purpose. The three-step test language and source-attribution requirement are classification-neutral proportionality qualifiers. No amendments to Law 154/2022 affecting exceptions and limitations have been identified through 2025.
Exceptions considered
General exception permitting 'utilización' (use) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, subject to three-step test, with source attribution. Covers any exclusive right, any work, any user.
Free reproduction of a disclosed work for personal and private use, excluding architecture, electronic databases, computer programs, and reprographic reproduction of whole/substantial part of musical scores.
Free reproduction by libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural/scientific/educational non-profit institutions, limited to needs of their activities, subject to three-step test.
Free reproduction for teaching in educational institutions, to the extent justified by the purpose, non-profit, subject to three-step test.
Free quotation of a disclosed work, to the extent justified by the purpose.
Law changes
Ley No. 14 de 28 de diciembre de 1977, Ley del Derecho de Autor
Baseline · Effective 1977-12-28
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Relevant section: Artículos 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
Dates: Effective 1977-12-28 · Enacted 1977-12-24
Why this score
Article 38 of Law No. 14/1977 establishes a general exception permitting the 'utilización' (use/utilization) of already disclosed works without authorization or payment, provided the use is justified by the purpose pursued. The term 'utilización' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution), not only reproduction. It applies to any user and any type of work. This is a broad, purpose-justified general exception that encompasses research use. Additionally, Article 42 permits reproduction of a work for personal use (which would be LIGHT BLUE standing alone). The most permissive exception is Article 38, which covers all uses, all works, and all users for justified purposes including research, making this GREEN. The non-commercial or proportionality qualifier ('in the measure justified by the purpose') is a classification-neutral proportionality factor and does not reduce the color.
Exceptions considered
General exception permitting 'utilización' (use) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, with source attribution. Covers any exclusive right, any work, any user.
Free reproduction of a work for personal use of the person who reproduces it. Covers reproduction only, any work, but restricted to personal/individual use.
Free publication of portraits for scientific, educational or cultural purposes in general. Limited to portraits/images.
Original text
Artículo 38.— Se considera lícita, sin autorización del autor ni pago de remuneración alguna, la utilización de obras ya divulgadas y de la producción protegida por este capítulo, siempre que se realice en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, de acuerdo con las disposiciones siguientes y con la condición de que se mencione la fuente y el nombre del autor, si éste figura en la fuente. Artículo 39.— Es libre la reproducción de artículos, fotografías, ilustraciones y comentarios referentes a acontecimientos de actualidad, publicados en periódicos, revistas y otros medios de difusión, si ello no hubiere sido expresamente prohibido. Artículo 40.— Es libre la reproducción de noticias del día y de artículos de prensa publicados en periódicos o revistas sobre temas de actualidad, cuando no se haya hecho reserva de derechos. Artículo 41.— Es libre la publicación del retrato cuando se relacione con fines científicos, didácticos o culturales en general, o con hechos o acontecimientos de interés público o que se hubieren desarrollado en público. Artículo 42.— Es libre la reproducción de una obra, para uso personal del que la reproduce.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 38.— The use of already disclosed works and of the production protected by this chapter is considered lawful, without the author's authorization or payment of any remuneration, provided that it is carried out to the extent justified by the purpose pursued, in accordance with the following provisions and on the condition that the source and the name of the author, if it appears in the source, are mentioned. Article 39.— The reproduction of articles, photographs, illustrations and commentaries referring to current events, published in newspapers, magazines and other media, is free, if this has not been expressly prohibited. Article 40.— The reproduction of news of the day and press articles published in newspapers or magazines on current topics is free, when rights have not been reserved. Article 41.— The publication of a portrait is free when it relates to scientific, educational or cultural purposes in general, or to facts or events of public interest or that have taken place in public. Article 42.— The reproduction of a work for the personal use of the person who reproduces it is free.
Source links
Decreto Ley No. 156 de 1994, Modificaciones a la Ley del Derecho de Autor
Relevant update · Effective 1994-09-28
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Relevant section: Artículo Único (modifying Arts. 43, 45, 47 of Law 14/1977)
Dates: Effective 1994-09-28 · Enacted 1994-09-28
Why this score
Decree-Law 156/1994 modified only the duration provisions (Articles 43, 45, 47) of Law 14/1977, extending the term from 25 years post mortem to 50 years post mortem. It did not modify the exceptions and limitations in Articles 38-42. Article 38 (general justified-use exception) and Article 42 (personal reproduction) remain in force unchanged. The classification remains GREEN based on Article 38's broad scope covering any use, any work, any user for justified purposes.
Exceptions considered
General exception permitting 'utilización' (use) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, with source attribution.
Free reproduction of a work for personal use of the person who reproduces it.
Original text
Se modifican los artículos 43, 45 y 47 de la Ley No. 14 de 28 de diciembre de 1977, Ley del Derecho de Autor, los cuales quedarán redactados del modo siguiente: Artículo 43: El período de vigencia del derecho de autor comprende la vida del autor y cincuenta años después de su muerte, salvo las excepciones señaladas expresamente en esta Ley.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Articles 43, 45 and 47 of Law No. 14 of 28 December 1977, the Copyright Law, are modified and shall read as follows: Article 43: The term of copyright protection comprises the life of the author and fifty years after his death, except for the exceptions expressly indicated in this Law.
Source links
Ley No. 154/2022 De los Derechos del Autor y del Artista Intérprete
Relevant update · Effective 2022-12-05
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Relevant section: Artículos 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Dates: Effective 2022-12-05 · Enacted 2022-05-16
Why this score
Law 154/2022 replaced Law 14/1977 entirely. Article 44 retains the general exception structure of former Article 38, permitting 'utilización' (use/utilization) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, now with the added three-step test language ('does not prejudice normal exploitation nor cause unjustified harm to legitimate interests'). The term 'utilización' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution, making available), applies to any type of work, and is not restricted to any particular class of user. This is a general fair-use-type exception that encompasses research purposes. Additionally, Article 45 provides personal/private reproduction (LIGHT BLUE, with exclusions for architecture, electronic databases, computer programs, and substantial parts of musical scores — which would make it ORANGE standing alone due to work exclusions). Article 46 provides institutional reproduction by libraries, archives, museums, etc. (PURPLE standing alone). The most permissive exception remains Article 44, which covers all uses, all works, and all users for justified purposes. The three-step test language is a proportionality qualifier (classification-neutral). Classification: GREEN.
Exceptions considered
General exception permitting 'utilización' (use) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, subject to three-step test, with source attribution. Covers any exclusive right, any work, any user.
Free reproduction of a disclosed work for personal and private use, excluding architecture, electronic databases, computer programs, and reprographic reproduction of whole/substantial part of musical scores.
Free reproduction by libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural/scientific/educational non-profit institutions, limited to needs of their activities, subject to three-step test.
Free reproduction for teaching in educational institutions, to the extent justified by the purpose, non-profit, subject to three-step test.
Free quotation of a disclosed work, to the extent justified by the purpose.
Original text
Artículo 44. Se considera lícita la utilización de obras divulgadas y de las producciones protegidas por esta Ley, sin la autorización del titular de derechos ni pago de remuneración alguna, siempre que se realice en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, no atente contra la normal explotación de la obra o producción ni cause un perjuicio injustificado a los intereses legítimos del titular de derechos, de acuerdo con las disposiciones siguientes y con la condición de que se mencione la fuente y el nombre del autor, si este figura en la fuente. Artículo 45. Es libre la reproducción de una obra divulgada, para uso personal y privado del que la reproduce, siempre que no se trate de: a) una obra de arquitectura en forma de edificio o cualquier otra construcción; b) una base de datos electrónica; c) un programa de computación, salvo lo dispuesto en el artículo 37 de esta Ley; ni d) una reproducción reprográfica de la totalidad o de una parte sustancial de una partitura. Artículo 46. Es libre la reproducción de una obra divulgada, por parte de bibliotecas, archivos, museos, filmotecas, fonotecas, hemerotecas y demás instituciones culturales, científicas o educacionales sin fines de lucro, siempre que la reproducción y el número de ejemplares se limiten a las necesidades de sus actividades y no atenten contra la normal explotación de la obra ni causen un perjuicio injustificado a los intereses legítimos del autor. Artículo 47. Es libre la reproducción de una obra divulgada, para la enseñanza en instituciones educacionales, siempre que se realice en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, no tenga fines de lucro y no atente contra la normal explotación de la obra ni cause un perjuicio injustificado a los intereses legítimos del autor. Artículo 48. Es libre la reproducción de artículos, fotografías, ilustraciones y comentarios referentes a acontecimientos de actualidad, publicados en periódicos, revistas y otros medios de difusión, si ello no hubiere sido expresamente prohibido. Artículo 49. Es libre la reproducción de noticias del día y de artículos de prensa publicados en periódicos o revistas sobre temas de actualidad, cuando no se haya hecho reserva de derechos. Artículo 50. Es libre la publicación del retrato cuando se relacione con fines científicos, didácticos o culturales en general, o con hechos o acontecimientos de interés público o que se hubieren desarrollado en público. Artículo 51. Es libre la cita de una obra divulgada, siempre que se realice en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga. Artículo 52. Es libre la utilización de obras divulgadas en actos oficiales o en ceremonias religiosas, en la medida justificada por la naturaleza de tales actos. Artículo 53. Es libre la utilización incidental de una obra en una información sobre acontecimientos de actualidad, por medio de la fotografía, la cinematografía, la radiodifusión o la televisión.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 44. The use of disclosed works and productions protected by this Law is considered lawful, without the authorization of the rights holder or payment of any remuneration, provided that it is carried out to the extent justified by the purpose pursued, does not prejudice the normal exploitation of the work or production nor cause unjustified harm to the legitimate interests of the rights holder, in accordance with the following provisions and on the condition that the source and the name of the author, if it appears in the source, are mentioned. Article 45. The reproduction of a disclosed work is free, for the personal and private use of the person who reproduces it, provided that it does not involve: a) a work of architecture in the form of a building or any other construction; b) an electronic database; c) a computer program, except as provided in article 37 of this Law; nor d) a reprographic reproduction of the whole or a substantial part of a musical score. Article 46. The reproduction of a disclosed work is free, by libraries, archives, museums, film archives, sound archives, newspaper archives and other cultural, scientific or educational institutions without profit motive, provided that the reproduction and the number of copies are limited to the needs of their activities and do not prejudice the normal exploitation of the work nor cause unjustified harm to the legitimate interests of the author. Article 47. The reproduction of a disclosed work is free, for teaching in educational institutions, provided that it is carried out to the extent justified by the purpose pursued, has no profit motive and does not prejudice the normal exploitation of the work nor cause unjustified harm to the legitimate interests of the author. Article 48-53. [Press reproduction, news, portraits, quotation, official acts, incidental use exceptions.]
Source links
Ley No. 154/2022 De los Derechos del Autor y del Artista Intérprete
Current law confirmation · Effective 2022-12-05
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Relevant section: Artículos 44, 45, 46, 47, 51
Dates: Effective 2022-12-05 · Enacted 2022-05-16
Why this score
As of 2025, Law 154/2022 remains in force as Cuba's copyright law. Article 44 provides a general exception permitting 'utilización' (use/utilization) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, subject to the three-step test. The term 'utilización' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution, making available). It applies to any type of work and any user. This is the most permissive exception and encompasses research use. Additional exceptions include: Article 45 (personal/private reproduction with work-type exclusions — ORANGE individually), Article 46 (institutional reproduction by libraries/archives — PURPLE individually), Article 47 (educational reproduction — PURPLE individually), and Article 51 (quotation — RED individually). The overall classification is GREEN based on Article 44. No TDM-specific exception exists, but Article 44's general scope would cover TDM activities to the extent justified by the purpose. The three-step test language and source-attribution requirement are classification-neutral proportionality qualifiers. No amendments to Law 154/2022 affecting exceptions and limitations have been identified through 2025.
Exceptions considered
General exception permitting 'utilización' (use) of disclosed works without authorization or payment, to the extent justified by the purpose, subject to three-step test, with source attribution. Covers any exclusive right, any work, any user.
Free reproduction of a disclosed work for personal and private use, excluding architecture, electronic databases, computer programs, and reprographic reproduction of whole/substantial part of musical scores.
Free reproduction by libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural/scientific/educational non-profit institutions, limited to needs of their activities, subject to three-step test.
Free reproduction for teaching in educational institutions, to the extent justified by the purpose, non-profit, subject to three-step test.
Free quotation of a disclosed work, to the extent justified by the purpose.
Original text
Artículo 44. Se considera lícita la utilización de obras divulgadas y de las producciones protegidas por esta Ley, sin la autorización del titular de derechos ni pago de remuneración alguna, siempre que se realice en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, no atente contra la normal explotación de la obra o producción ni cause un perjuicio injustificado a los intereses legítimos del titular de derechos, de acuerdo con las disposiciones siguientes y con la condición de que se mencione la fuente y el nombre del autor, si este figura en la fuente.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 44. The use of disclosed works and productions protected by this Law is considered lawful, without the authorization of the rights holder or payment of any remuneration, provided that it is carried out to the extent justified by the purpose pursued, does not prejudice the normal exploitation of the work or production nor cause unjustified harm to the legitimate interests of the rights holder, in accordance with the following provisions and on the condition that the source and the name of the author, if it appears in the source, are mentioned.