Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Νόμος 2121/1993 (Law 2121/1993).
60%
Current rationale
The most permissive research-relevant exception in force is Art. 18 (reproduction for private use). It permits reproduction of full works of any type by an individual for private use, but explicitly excludes use within an enterprise, service, or organization, and covers only reproduction (not sharing/communication). Art. 19 (quotation) permits only excerpts, not full works. Art. 21 (reproduction for teaching) is limited to teaching purposes and to excerpts. Art. 22 (libraries and archives) permits reproduction by libraries/archives but only for specific preservation/replacement purposes, not general research copying. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception. The private-use exception (Art. 18) is the broadest: it covers full works of all types but is restricted to individuals acting privately (not institutional use), and covers reproduction only (not sharing). This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restriction and lawful-publication requirement are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use of the person making the copy; excludes use within an enterprise, service, or organization; covers all types of works that have been lawfully published.
Quotation of short extracts from a lawfully published work for purposes of criticism, review, or scientific analysis, with source attribution.
Reproduction of short extracts for school textbooks and anthologies.
Reproduction for teaching purposes, limited to excerpts and illustration for teaching.
Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation, replacement of damaged copies, or inter-library supply; not a general research-copying provision.
Law changes
Νόμος 2121/1993 (Law 2121/1993)
Baseline · Effective 1993-03-04
60%
Relevant section: Art. 18, Art. 19, Art. 20, Art. 21, Art. 22
Dates: Effective 1993-03-04 · Enacted 1993-02-03
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception in force is Art. 18 (reproduction for private use). It permits reproduction of full works of any type by an individual for private use, but explicitly excludes use within an enterprise, service, or organization, and covers only reproduction (not sharing/communication). Art. 19 (quotation) permits only excerpts, not full works. Art. 21 (reproduction for teaching) is limited to teaching purposes and to excerpts. Art. 22 (libraries and archives) permits reproduction by libraries/archives but only for specific preservation/replacement purposes, not general research copying. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception. The private-use exception (Art. 18) is the broadest: it covers full works of all types but is restricted to individuals acting privately (not institutional use), and covers reproduction only (not sharing). This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restriction and lawful-publication requirement are classification-neutral.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use of the person making the copy; excludes use within an enterprise, service, or organization; covers all types of works that have been lawfully published.
Quotation of short extracts from a lawfully published work for purposes of criticism, review, or scientific analysis, with source attribution.
Reproduction of short extracts for school textbooks and anthologies.
Reproduction for teaching purposes, limited to excerpts and illustration for teaching.
Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation, replacement of damaged copies, or inter-library supply; not a general research-copying provision.
Original text
Άρθρο 18 - Αναπαραγωγή για ιδιωτική χρήση: 1. Επιτρέπεται, χωρίς την άδεια του δημιουργού και χωρίς αμοιβή, η αναπαραγωγή ενός έργου που έχει νομίμως δημοσιευθεί, εφόσον η αναπαραγωγή γίνεται για ιδιωτική χρήση εκείνου που την κάνει. Δεν αποτελεί ιδιωτική χρήση η χρήση στο πλαίσιο μιας επιχείρησης ή μιας υπηρεσίας ή ενός οργανισμού.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 18 - Reproduction for private use: 1. The reproduction of a work that has been lawfully published shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without payment, provided that the reproduction is made for the private use of the person making it. Use within the framework of an enterprise, a service or an organization shall not constitute private use.
Source links
Νόμος 3057/2002 (Law 3057/2002) - Amendment to Law 2121/1993 transposing Directive 2001/29/EC
Relevant update · Effective 2002-10-10
60%
Relevant section: Art. 18, Art. 28Β
Dates: Effective 2002-10-10 · Enacted 2002-10-10
Why this score
Law 3057/2002 transposed EU Directive 2001/29/EC (InfoSoc Directive) into Greek law. It amended Art. 18 to add a levy system for private copying and added Art. 28B (transient/incidental reproduction exception) and Art. 28C (three-step test clause). However, Art. 28C codifies the three-step test as a limiting clause on exceptions (not as an enabling clause granting new rights), so it does not expand the scope of permissible uses. Art. 18 (private use reproduction) remains the most permissive research-relevant exception: it permits reproduction of full works of all types for private use of the individual making the copy, but excludes institutional/enterprise use and covers only reproduction. The overall classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use of the person making the copy; excludes enterprise/organizational use; now subject to equitable remuneration levy. Covers all types of lawfully published works.
Quotation of short extracts for criticism, review, or scientific analysis.
Reproduction for teaching purposes, limited to excerpts and illustration for teaching.
Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation, replacement, or inter-library purposes.
Transient/incidental reproduction as part of a technological process enabling lawful use or network transmission; no independent economic significance.
Three-step test clause: limitations apply only in certain special cases which do not conflict with normal exploitation and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author. This is a limiting clause, not an enabling one.
Original text
Άρθρο 28Β - Εξαίρεση από το δικαίωμα αναπαραγωγής: Επιτρέπεται χωρίς την άδεια του δημιουργού και χωρίς αμοιβή η αναπαραγωγή πρόσκαιρων πράξεων αναπαραγωγής, οι οποίες είναι μεταβατικές ή παρεπόμενες και αποτελούν αναπόσπαστο και ουσιώδες τμήμα μιας τεχνολογικής μεθόδου, των οποίων ο μοναδικός σκοπός είναι να επιτρέψουν: α) τη μετάδοση σε δίκτυο μεταξύ τρίτων μέσω διαμεσολαβητή, ή β) τη νόμιμη χρήση ενός έργου και οι οποίες δεν έχουν καμία ανεξάρτητη οικονομική σημασία.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 28B - Exception from the right of reproduction: Reproduction shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without payment for temporary acts of reproduction which are transient or incidental and an integral and essential part of a technological process, the sole purpose of which is to enable: (a) a transmission in a network between third parties by an intermediary, or (b) a lawful use of a work, and which have no independent economic significance.
Source links
Νόμος 4996/2022 (Law 4996/2022) - Transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/790 (DSM Directive)
Relevant update · Effective 2022-11-24
60%
Relevant section: Art. 21A, Art. 21B, Art. 22 (as amended)
Dates: Effective 2022-11-24 · Enacted 2022-11-24
Why this score
Law 4996/2022 transposed the EU DSM Directive (2019/790) into Greek law, adding Art. 21A (TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions) and Art. 21B (general TDM exception for any user, subject to rightsholder opt-out for non-research uses). Art. 21A is limited to specific institutional users (research organisations, cultural heritage institutions) and covers reproduction and extraction but not communication/sharing of results beyond the institution — this would be PURPLE. Art. 21B is open to any user for TDM purposes and covers reproduction and extraction, but rightsholders may opt out (reserve their rights) for uses other than scientific research. Art. 21B covers reproduction only (not communication/sharing of the copies themselves). However, the pre-existing Art. 18 (private use reproduction) remains in force and continues to be the most permissive general research-relevant exception for individual researchers: it permits reproduction of full works of all types for private use. Art. 21B adds TDM-specific reproduction rights for any user but does not cover sharing. The overall most permissive exception for a researcher seeking to reproduce full works remains Art. 18 (private use, LIGHT BLUE). Art. 21B is also LIGHT BLUE or BLUE depending on interpretation (reproduction only, any user, any work), but since Art. 21B is subject to rightsholder opt-out for non-research TDM and Art. 21A is institutionally restricted, and Art. 18 already covers full-work reproduction for private use, the classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use of the person making the copy; excludes enterprise/organizational use; covers all types of lawfully published works.
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and extraction from lawfully accessed works; copies stored with appropriate security.
General TDM exception for any user; reproduction and extraction of lawfully accessible works; rightsholders may opt out (reserve rights) except for scientific research uses.
Quotation of short extracts for criticism, review, or scientific analysis.
Reproduction for teaching purposes, limited to excerpts and illustration for teaching.
Reproduction by libraries and archives, as amended to include on-premises terminal access and digitisation for preservation.
Transient/incidental reproduction as part of a technological process.
Three-step test as a limiting clause on all exceptions.
Original text
Άρθρο 21Α - Εξόρυξη κειμένων και δεδομένων για σκοπούς επιστημονικής έρευνας: 1. Οι οργανισμοί έρευνας και τα ιδρύματα πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς επιτρέπεται να πραγματοποιούν αναπαραγωγές και εξαγωγές από έργα ή άλλα αντικείμενα προστασίας στα οποία έχουν νόμιμη πρόσβαση, με σκοπό την εξόρυξη κειμένων και δεδομένων για σκοπούς επιστημονικής έρευνας. [...] Άρθρο 21Β - Εξόρυξη κειμένων και δεδομένων: 1. Επιτρέπονται αναπαραγωγές και εξαγωγές νομίμως προσβάσιμων έργων και άλλων αντικειμένων προστασίας με σκοπό την εξόρυξη κειμένων και δεδομένων.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 21A - Text and data mining for the purposes of scientific research: 1. Research organisations and cultural heritage institutions shall be permitted to make reproductions and extractions from works or other subject matter to which they have lawful access, for the purposes of text and data mining for scientific research. [...] Article 21B - Text and data mining: 1. Reproductions and extractions of lawfully accessible works and other subject matter shall be permitted for the purposes of text and data mining.
Source links
Νόμος 2121/1993 (Law 2121/1993, as amended through Law 4996/2022 and subsequent amendments)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
60%
Relevant section: Art. 18, Art. 19, Art. 21, Art. 21A, Art. 21B, Art. 22, Art. 28B, Art. 28C
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, the Greek copyright law (Law 2121/1993 as amended) contains the following research-relevant exceptions: (1) Art. 18 — private use reproduction: permits reproduction of full works of all types for private use of the individual, excluding enterprise/organizational use, covering reproduction only (not sharing). This is the most permissive general exception for individual researchers (LIGHT BLUE). (2) Art. 21A — TDM for scientific research: limited to research organisations and cultural heritage institutions (PURPLE). (3) Art. 21B — general TDM: open to any user for reproduction and extraction, but rightsholders may opt out for non-research uses; covers reproduction only (BLUE). (4) Art. 19 — quotation of excerpts only (RED). (5) Art. 21 — teaching excerpts (RED). (6) Art. 22 — library/archive reproduction (PURPLE). (7) Art. 28B — transient reproduction (BLUE). (8) Art. 28C — three-step test as limiting clause (not enabling). There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception covering both reproduction and sharing. The most permissive exception for a researcher seeking to reproduce full works is Art. 18 (private use), which is restricted to individuals acting privately and covers reproduction only. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. The TDM exceptions (Art. 21A, 21B) add specific rights for computational analysis but do not change the overall classification because Art. 21A is institutionally restricted and Art. 21B covers reproduction only (same as Art. 18 but for TDM specifically). Classification-neutral factors (levy system, lawful-access requirement, non-commercial restriction) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use of the person making the copy; excludes enterprise/organizational use; covers all types of lawfully published works. Subject to equitable remuneration levy.
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and extraction from lawfully accessed works.
General TDM exception for any user; reproduction and extraction of lawfully accessible works; rightsholders may opt out except for scientific research.
Quotation of short extracts for criticism, review, or scientific analysis.
Reproduction for teaching purposes, limited to excerpts and illustration for teaching and scientific research.
Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation, replacement, on-premises terminal access, and digitisation.
Transient/incidental reproduction as part of a technological process enabling lawful use.
Three-step test as a limiting clause on all exceptions.
Original text
Άρθρο 18 παρ. 1: Επιτρέπεται, χωρίς την άδεια του δημιουργού και χωρίς αμοιβή, η αναπαραγωγή ενός έργου που έχει νομίμως δημοσιευθεί, εφόσον η αναπαραγωγή γίνεται για ιδιωτική χρήση εκείνου που την κάνει. Δεν αποτελεί ιδιωτική χρήση η χρήση στο πλαίσιο μιας επιχείρησης ή μιας υπηρεσίας ή ενός οργανισμού.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 18(1): The reproduction of a work that has been lawfully published shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without payment, provided that the reproduction is made for the private use of the person making it. Use within the framework of an enterprise, a service or an organization shall not constitute private use.