Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Ley nº 32-86 sobre Derecho de Autor.
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Current rationale
The copyright law in force on 1990-01-01 in the Dominican Republic was Ley No. 32-86 of July 4, 1986. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to locate the full statutory text of this law online. WIPO Lex and other databases reference it as the predecessor to Ley 65-00 but do not host its text. The law reportedly contained exceptions and limitations (Arts. 44–49 based on typical structure of Dominican copyright laws of that era), but without access to the verbatim text, I cannot verify the scope of any research-relevant exceptions. The classification is AMBIGUOUS because the statutory text itself could not be retrieved and verified.
Law changes
Ley nº 32-86 sobre Derecho de Autor
Baseline · Effective 1986-07-04
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Relevant section: Arts. 44–49
Dates: Effective 1986-07-04 · Enacted 1986-07-04
Why this score
The copyright law in force on 1990-01-01 in the Dominican Republic was Ley No. 32-86 of July 4, 1986. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to locate the full statutory text of this law online. WIPO Lex and other databases reference it as the predecessor to Ley 65-00 but do not host its text. The law reportedly contained exceptions and limitations (Arts. 44–49 based on typical structure of Dominican copyright laws of that era), but without access to the verbatim text, I cannot verify the scope of any research-relevant exceptions. The classification is AMBIGUOUS because the statutory text itself could not be retrieved and verified.
Ley nº 65-00 sobre Derecho de Autor
Relevant update · Effective 2000-08-21
20%
Relevant section: Arts. 31, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Dates: Effective 2000-08-21 · Enacted 2000-08-21
Why this score
Ley 65-00 replaced Ley 32-86 and is the current copyright law. The most permissive research-relevant exception is Art. 44, which permits reproduction of a single copy of a literary or artistic work by a natural person for personal use without profit. This covers full-work reproduction and is open to any natural person (private use). However, Art. 44 explicitly excludes computer programs, architectural works, and databases/compilations of data. Because full-work reproduction is permitted for most types of works but specific categories are carved out, this meets the ORANGE definition. Art. 44 does not authorize sharing/communication. Art. 45 only permits 'brief extracts' for teaching illustration (RED-level). Art. 46 is a library/archive exception limited to preservation/replacement purposes, not research copying. Art. 47 permits quotation of short passages. No general fair use, fair dealing, or TDM exception exists. The three-step test in Art. 31 is framed as a restrictive interpretive principle, not as an enabling clause. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral factors and did not affect the color. The exclusion of specific work categories (computer programs, architectural works, databases) from the private-use exception is the determining factor for ORANGE rather than LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of a single copy of a literary or artistic work by a natural person for personal use without profit; excludes computer programs, architectural works, and databases.
Reproduction of brief extracts of protected works for illustration of teaching, conforming to fair practice, with attribution.
Reproduction by non-profit libraries/archives for preservation or replacement of lost/destroyed copies in permanent collections; excludes computer programs.
Quotation of short passages from lawfully published works for criticism, commentary, or teaching illustration, with attribution.
Three-step test framed as a restrictive interpretive principle for all exceptions; not an enabling clause.
Original text
Artículo 31. Las limitaciones y excepciones al derecho de autor que se establecen en los artículos siguientes, son de interpretación restrictiva y no podrán aplicarse en forma tal que causen un perjuicio injustificado a los intereses legítimos del autor o del titular del respectivo derecho. Artículo 44. Es lícita la reproducción, por cualquier medio reprográfico o para la audición o visualización personal, de una obra literaria o artística, siempre que se limite a una sola copia y que la misma sea realizada por una persona natural, para su uso personal y sin fines de lucro. La reproducción deberá ser hecha por la propia persona, sin asistencia de terceros. No se aplicará esta disposición a los programas de computadoras, a las obras de arquitectura, ni a las bases o compilaciones de datos. Artículo 45. Es lícita la reproducción de breves extractos de obras protegidas, publicadas o no, en la medida justificada por el fin que se persiga, cuando se realice a título de ilustración de la enseñanza, por medio de publicaciones, emisiones de radiodifusión o grabaciones sonoras o visuales, siempre que esa reproducción sea conforme a los usos honrados y se mencione la fuente y el nombre del autor, si este nombre figura en la fuente. Artículo 46. Es lícita la reproducción individual de una obra por una biblioteca o archivo cuyas actividades no tengan directa ni indirectamente fines de lucro, cuando el ejemplar respectivo se encuentre en la colección permanente de la biblioteca o archivo, y dicha reproducción se realice con los siguientes fines: 1. Preservar el ejemplar y sustituirlo en caso de extravío, destrucción o inutilización; o, 2. Sustituir, en la colección permanente de otra biblioteca o archivo, un ejemplar que se haya extraviado, destruido o inutilizado. No se aplicará esta disposición a los programas de computadoras.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 31. The limitations and exceptions to copyright established in the following articles are to be interpreted restrictively and may not be applied in such a way as to cause unjustified prejudice to the legitimate interests of the author or the holder of the respective right. Article 44. The reproduction, by any reprographic means or for personal listening or viewing, of a literary or artistic work is lawful, provided it is limited to a single copy and is made by a natural person, for personal use and without profit motive. The reproduction must be made by the person themselves, without the assistance of third parties. This provision shall not apply to computer programs, architectural works, or databases or compilations of data. Article 45. The reproduction of brief extracts of protected works, published or not, is lawful to the extent justified by the purpose pursued, when carried out by way of illustration for teaching, through publications, radio broadcasts, or sound or visual recordings, provided that such reproduction conforms to fair practice and the source and the name of the author are mentioned, if the name appears in the source. Article 46. The individual reproduction of a work by a library or archive whose activities do not directly or indirectly have profit-making purposes is lawful, when the respective copy is in the permanent collection of the library or archive, and such reproduction is carried out for the following purposes: 1. To preserve the copy and replace it in case of loss, destruction, or deterioration; or, 2. To replace, in the permanent collection of another library or archive, a copy that has been lost, destroyed, or deteriorated. This provision shall not apply to computer programs.
Source links
Ley nº 65-00 sobre Derecho de Autor
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
20%
Relevant section: Arts. 31, 44, 45, 46, 47
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, Ley 65-00 remains the copyright law in force in the Dominican Republic. No amendments to the exceptions and limitations provisions (Arts. 31, 44–53) have been identified. There is no TDM exception, no fair use or fair dealing clause, and no general research exception. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Art. 44 (private-use reproduction of a single copy by a natural person for personal use). This permits full-work reproduction for most types of works but explicitly excludes computer programs, architectural works, and databases/compilations. The exclusion of specific work categories from full-work reproduction results in ORANGE classification. Art. 44 does not authorize sharing or communication. Art. 45 (brief extracts for teaching) is RED-level. Art. 46 (library preservation) is PURPLE-level but limited to preservation/replacement, not research. Art. 47 (quotation of short passages) is RED-level. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral. Decree 436-17 (2017) amended only Art. 104 of the implementing regulations concerning collective management, not exceptions and limitations.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of a single copy of a literary or artistic work by a natural person for personal use without profit; excludes computer programs, architectural works, and databases.
Reproduction of brief extracts of protected works for illustration of teaching, conforming to fair practice, with attribution.
Reproduction by non-profit libraries/archives for preservation or replacement of lost/destroyed copies; excludes computer programs.
Quotation of short passages from lawfully published works for criticism, commentary, or teaching illustration, with attribution.
Three-step test as restrictive interpretive principle for all exceptions; not an enabling clause.
Original text
Artículo 44. Es lícita la reproducción, por cualquier medio reprográfico o para la audición o visualización personal, de una obra literaria o artística, siempre que se limite a una sola copia y que la misma sea realizada por una persona natural, para su uso personal y sin fines de lucro. La reproducción deberá ser hecha por la propia persona, sin asistencia de terceros. No se aplicará esta disposición a los programas de computadoras, a las obras de arquitectura, ni a las bases o compilaciones de datos.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 44. The reproduction, by any reprographic means or for personal listening or viewing, of a literary or artistic work is lawful, provided it is limited to a single copy and is made by a natural person, for personal use and without profit motive. The reproduction must be made by the person themselves, without the assistance of third parties. This provision shall not apply to computer programs, architectural works, or databases or compilations of data.