Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Zákon č. 35/1965 Sb., o dílech literárních, vědeckých a uměleckých (autorský zákon).
60%
Current rationale
The 1965 Copyright Act (as amended through 1990, consolidated as 247/1990 Sb.) provided in § 25(1) a personal-use exception allowing reproduction for one's own personal need ('pro svou osobní potřebu'). This covers reproduction of full works but is restricted to individuals acting for personal need — it does not extend to institutional use or sharing/communication. § 15 provides a general three-step-test framing but is not itself an independent enabling clause — it merely constrains the specific exceptions. There was also a quotation right (§ 19) limited to excerpts. The most permissive exception for research use is the personal-need reproduction right in § 25(1), which permits full-work reproduction but only for private/personal purposes. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restriction and three-step-test language are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for personal need — permits making a recording, reproduction or imitation of a work for one's own personal need without consent or payment
Quotation right — permits quoting excerpts from a published work in another work for purposes of criticism, review, or scientific/educational use
General three-step-test clause framing all exceptions — use must not conflict with normal exploitation and must not unreasonably prejudice author's interests
Law changes
Zákon č. 35/1965 Sb., o dílech literárních, vědeckých a uměleckých (autorský zákon)
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
60%
Relevant section: § 15, § 25
Dates: Effective 1990-01-01 · Enacted 1965-03-25
Why this score
The 1965 Copyright Act (as amended through 1990, consolidated as 247/1990 Sb.) provided in § 25(1) a personal-use exception allowing reproduction for one's own personal need ('pro svou osobní potřebu'). This covers reproduction of full works but is restricted to individuals acting for personal need — it does not extend to institutional use or sharing/communication. § 15 provides a general three-step-test framing but is not itself an independent enabling clause — it merely constrains the specific exceptions. There was also a quotation right (§ 19) limited to excerpts. The most permissive exception for research use is the personal-need reproduction right in § 25(1), which permits full-work reproduction but only for private/personal purposes. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restriction and three-step-test language are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for personal need — permits making a recording, reproduction or imitation of a work for one's own personal need without consent or payment
Quotation right — permits quoting excerpts from a published work in another work for purposes of criticism, review, or scientific/educational use
General three-step-test clause framing all exceptions — use must not conflict with normal exploitation and must not unreasonably prejudice author's interests
Original text
§ 15 Užití díla. (1) Dílo lze bez svolení autora a bez placení odměny užít jen v případech stanovených zákonem. Takové užití nesmí být v rozporu s běžným využitím díla a nesmí jím být nepřiměřeně dotčeny oprávněné zájmy autorovy. § 25 Volná užití. (1) Do autorského práva nezasahuje ten, kdo pro svou osobní potřebu zhotoví záznam, rozmnoženinu nebo napodobeninu díla.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 15 Use of a work. (1) A work may be used without the author's consent and without payment of remuneration only in cases provided by law. Such use must not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work and must not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author. § 25 Free uses. (1) A person who, for his personal need, makes a recording, reproduction or imitation of a work does not infringe copyright.
Source links
Zákon č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském, o právech souvisejících s právem autorským a o změně některých zákonů (autorský zákon)
Relevant update · Effective 2000-12-01
60%
Relevant section: § 30, § 31
Dates: Effective 2000-12-01 · Enacted 2000-04-07
Why this score
The new Copyright Act 121/2000 replaced the 1965 Act entirely. § 30 provides a personal-use exception for natural persons (fyzická osoba) permitting reproduction for personal need without direct or indirect commercial benefit. This covers full works but is limited to natural persons and personal need — no sharing/communication is authorized. § 31 provides a quotation right permitting excerpts and 'small entire works' for criticism, review, scientific or professional work — but this is limited to excerpts or small works, not full-work reproduction generally. § 30(3) excludes computer programs and electronic databases from the personal-use exception. § 37 provides a library/archive exception for preservation and internal institutional purposes. The most permissive exception for research remains § 30 (personal use by natural persons), yielding LIGHT BLUE. The exclusion of computer programs and electronic databases from § 30 could suggest ORANGE, but since full works of most types are still permitted, and the exclusion is narrow, the primary classification remains LIGHT BLUE (the user restriction to natural persons is more restrictive than the work-type exclusion in the color hierarchy).
Exceptions considered
Free use for personal need of a natural person — permits reproduction of full works for personal need, not for commercial benefit; excludes computer programs and electronic databases (§ 30(3))
Quotation — permits use of excerpts or small entire works for criticism, review, scientific or professional work
Library and archive exception — permits reproduction for archival and preservation purposes, on-premises access on dedicated terminals
General three-step-test clause — exceptions must not conflict with normal exploitation and must not unreasonably prejudice author's interests
Original text
§ 30 Volná užití. (1) Za užití díla podle tohoto zákona se nepovažuje užití pro osobní potřebu fyzické osoby, jehož účelem není dosažení přímého nebo nepřímého hospodářského nebo obchodního prospěchu, nestanoví-li tento zákon jinak. (2) Do práva autorského tak nezasahuje ten, kdo pro svou osobní potřebu zhotoví záznam, rozmnoženinu nebo napodobeninu díla. § 31 Citace. (a) Do práva autorského nezasahuje ten, kdo užije v odůvodněné míře výňatky ze zveřejněných děl jiných autorů ve svém díle; (b) Do práva autorského nezasahuje ten, kdo užije výňatky z díla nebo drobná celá díla pro účely kritiky nebo recenze vztahující se k takovému dílu, vědecké či odborné tvorby...
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 30 Free uses. (1) Use for the personal need of a natural person, the purpose of which is not to achieve direct or indirect economic or commercial benefit, shall not be considered use of a work under this Act, unless this Act provides otherwise. (2) A person who, for his personal need, makes a recording, reproduction or imitation of a work does not infringe copyright. § 31 Quotation. (a) A person who uses, to a justified extent, excerpts from published works of other authors in his own work does not infringe copyright; (b) A person who uses excerpts from a work or small entire works for the purposes of criticism or review relating to such a work, scientific or professional work...
Source links
Zákon č. 216/2006 Sb., kterým se mění zákon č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském (novela autorského zákona)
Relevant update · Effective 2006-05-22
60%
Relevant section: § 30, § 30a, § 37
Dates: Effective 2006-05-22 · Enacted 2006-05-02
Why this score
The 2006 amendment (Act 216/2006 Sb.) refined the personal-use provisions by introducing § 30a specifically addressing paper reproductions (reprography) and clarifying the scope of § 30. The personal-use exception in § 30 remained limited to natural persons for personal need. § 30a added a specific reprographic reproduction right also limited to personal need. § 37 was also amended to clarify library exceptions including on-premises terminal access. The overall classification remains LIGHT BLUE because the most permissive exception for research is still the personal-use exception limited to natural persons. No general research exception or fair dealing clause was introduced.
Exceptions considered
Free use for personal need of a natural person — reproduction of full works for personal need, excludes computer programs and electronic databases
Reprographic reproduction on paper for personal need — excludes musical scores
Quotation — excerpts or small entire works for criticism, review, scientific work
Library and archive exception — preservation copies, on-premises terminal access for research and private study
Three-step test — general constraint on all exceptions
Original text
§ 30a Rozmnožování na papír nebo na podobný podklad. (1) Do práva autorského nezasahuje ten, kdo pro svou osobní potřebu zhotoví tiskovou rozmnoženinu díla na papír nebo podobný podklad fotografickou technikou nebo jiným postupem s podobnými účinky, s výjimkou rozmnoženiny notového záznamu díla hudebního.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 30a Reproduction on paper or similar medium. (1) A person who, for his personal need, makes a printed reproduction of a work on paper or a similar medium by photographic technique or another process with similar effects does not infringe copyright, with the exception of reproduction of a musical score.
Source links
Zákon č. 50/2019 Sb., kterým se mění zákon č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském
Relevant update · Effective 2019-03-15
60%
Relevant section: § 37, § 38a
Dates: Effective 2019-03-15 · Enacted 2019-02-01
Why this score
Act 50/2019 Sb. amended the Copyright Act primarily to implement EU Directive 2017/1564 (Marrakesh Treaty — accessible format copies for persons with disabilities). It amended § 38a and related provisions. This amendment did not introduce a TDM exception or a general research exception. The personal-use exception in § 30 remained the most permissive research-relevant exception. Classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Free use for personal need of a natural person — reproduction of full works for personal need
Quotation — excerpts or small entire works for scientific work
Library and archive exception — preservation, on-premises terminal access
Source links
Zákon č. 429/2022 Sb., kterým se mění zákon č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském, o právech souvisejících s právem autorským a o změně některých zákonů (autorský zákon), ve znění pozdějších předpisů, a další související zákony
Relevant update · Effective 2023-01-05
60%
Relevant section: § 39c, § 39d
Dates: Effective 2023-01-05 · Enacted 2022-12-08
Why this score
Act 429/2022 Sb. transposed EU Directive 2019/790 (DSM Directive) into Czech law, introducing §§ 39c and 39d on TDM. § 39c provides a TDM exception for scientific research limited to research organizations and cultural/educational institutions (or persons acting on their behalf) — this is an institutional exception covering reproduction only (not communication/sharing). § 39d provides a general TDM exception for any lawful user but subject to an opt-out by the rightsholder and covering reproduction only. Neither TDM provision authorizes communication or sharing of the reproductions made. The pre-existing personal-use exception (§ 30) remains in force. Evaluating all exceptions: § 30 (personal use, natural persons, full works except software/databases, reproduction only) = LIGHT BLUE; § 39c (TDM for research, institutional users only, reproduction only, all works) = PURPLE; § 39d (general TDM, any lawful user, reproduction only, all works, subject to opt-out) = BLUE. The most permissive new exception is § 39d which covers reproduction of any work by any lawful user for TDM — this would be BLUE. However, comparing § 39d (BLUE — any user, any work, reproduction only) with § 30 (LIGHT BLUE — natural persons only, most works, reproduction only): § 39d is more permissive because it covers all users and all works for reproduction. But § 39d is limited to TDM purposes specifically, while § 30 covers any personal need. For research purposes specifically, § 39d (BLUE) is the most permissive because it covers any user and any work for TDM reproduction. However, the opt-out mechanism in § 39d(2) means access can be reserved by the rightsholder, which is a substantive limitation. § 39c has no opt-out but is limited to institutions. Considering the overall picture: § 39d permits reproduction of full works by any lawful user for TDM (BLUE), but only reproduction, not sharing. § 30 permits reproduction for personal need by natural persons (LIGHT BLUE). The most permissive for research use is § 39d at BLUE level for TDM-specific research. However, re-evaluating: § 39d is subject to rightsholder opt-out, which is a classification-neutral factor (similar to contractual override). Actually, the opt-out in § 39d is a substantive statutory limitation — it means the exception does not apply if the rightsholder has reserved access. This is different from a contractual override protection. Nevertheless, the opt-out does not change the color classification per the rules (it defines scope of the exception but does not restrict users, works, or uses in the dimensional analysis). § 39d covers: Uses = reproduction only; Works = all works; Users = any lawful user. This maps to BLUE. Since BLUE is more permissive than LIGHT BLUE, the overall classification becomes BLUE.
Exceptions considered
General TDM exception — any lawful user may make reproductions for TDM purposes, subject to rightsholder opt-out; covers all works; reproduction only
TDM for scientific research — research organizations and cultural/educational institutions may make reproductions for TDM for scientific research; no opt-out; reproduction only
Free use for personal need of a natural person — reproduction of full works, excludes computer programs and electronic databases
Quotation — excerpts or small entire works for scientific work
Library and archive exception — preservation, on-premises terminal access
Original text
§ 39c Vytěžování textů a dat pro účely vědeckého výzkumu. (1) Do práva autorského nezasahuje oprávněný uživatel, který zhotoví rozmnoženinu díla za účelem vytěžování textů a dat pro účely vědeckého výzkumu. (2) Rozmnoženinu podle odstavce 1 může zhotovit výzkumná organizace nebo kulturní a vzdělávací instituce, nebo osoba jednající jejich jménem. (3) Rozmnoženina zhotovená podle odstavce 1 se uchovává s odpovídající úrovní zabezpečení a může být uchovávána pro účely vědeckého výzkumu, včetně ověření výsledků výzkumu. § 39d Vytěžování textů a dat. (1) Do práva autorského nezasahuje oprávněný uživatel, který zhotoví rozmnoženinu díla za účelem vytěžování textů a dat. (2) Rozmnoženinu podle odstavce 1 lze zhotovit za podmínky, že autor přístup k dílu za účelem vytěžování textů a dat výslovně nevyhradil vhodným způsobem.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 39c Text and data mining for the purposes of scientific research. (1) A lawful user who makes a reproduction of a work for the purpose of text and data mining for the purposes of scientific research does not infringe copyright. (2) A reproduction under paragraph 1 may be made by a research organization or a cultural and educational institution, or a person acting on their behalf. (3) A reproduction made under paragraph 1 shall be stored with an appropriate level of security and may be retained for the purposes of scientific research, including verification of research results. § 39d Text and data mining. (1) A lawful user who makes a reproduction of a work for the purpose of text and data mining does not infringe copyright. (2) A reproduction under paragraph 1 may be made on condition that the author has not expressly reserved access to the work for the purpose of text and data mining in an appropriate manner.
Source links
Zákon č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském, ve znění pozdějších předpisů (autorský zákon), as amended through Act 429/2022 Sb.
Current law confirmation · Effective 2023-01-05
80%
Relevant section: § 30, § 30a, § 31, § 37, § 39c, § 39d
Dates: Effective 2023-01-05 · Enacted 2022-12-08
Why this score
As of 2025, the Czech Copyright Act (121/2000 Sb. as amended) contains the following research-relevant exceptions: § 30 (personal-use reproduction by natural persons, excluding computer programs and electronic databases — LIGHT BLUE); § 30a (reprographic reproduction for personal need — LIGHT BLUE); § 31 (quotation of excerpts or small works for scientific purposes — RED); § 37 (library/archive exception including on-premises terminal access — PURPLE); § 39c (TDM for scientific research by research organizations/institutions — PURPLE); § 39d (general TDM for any lawful user, reproduction only, subject to opt-out — BLUE). The most permissive exception is § 39d, which permits any lawful user to reproduce any work for TDM purposes. This covers: Uses = reproduction only (not communication/sharing); Works = all types of works; Users = any lawful user (not restricted to institutions or natural persons). This maps to BLUE. The opt-out mechanism and lawful-access requirement are classification-neutral factors. No amendment has been enacted between Act 429/2022 Sb. (effective 5 January 2023) and 2025 that would change these provisions.
Exceptions considered
General TDM exception — any lawful user may reproduce works for TDM, subject to rightsholder opt-out; all works; reproduction only
TDM for scientific research — research organizations and cultural/educational institutions; no opt-out; reproduction only
Free use for personal need of a natural person — full-work reproduction, excludes computer programs and electronic databases
Reprographic reproduction on paper for personal need — excludes musical scores
Quotation — excerpts or small entire works for criticism, review, scientific or professional work
Library and archive exception — preservation copies, on-premises terminal access for research and private study
Three-step test — general constraint on all exceptions; not an independent enabling clause
Original text
§ 39d Vytěžování textů a dat. (1) Do práva autorského nezasahuje oprávněný uživatel, který zhotoví rozmnoženinu díla za účelem vytěžování textů a dat. (2) Rozmnoženinu podle odstavce 1 lze zhotovit za podmínky, že autor přístup k dílu za účelem vytěžování textů a dat výslovně nevyhradil vhodným způsobem.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: § 39d Text and data mining. (1) A lawful user who makes a reproduction of a work for the purpose of text and data mining does not infringe copyright. (2) A reproduction under paragraph 1 may be made on condition that the author has not expressly reserved access to the work for the purpose of text and data mining in an appropriate manner.