Selected year snapshot
For 1999, the active event in this file is Baseline.
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Current rationale
No copyright statute for the DPRK has been verified as being in force on 1990-01-01. The DPRK's first known copyright law was adopted on 2001-03-21 as Directive No. 2141 of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. No earlier copyright statute could be located or verified via web search. Therefore, the legal status of copyright exceptions for research purposes on 1990-01-01 is indeterminate — there may have been no copyright law at all, meaning no copyright restrictions existed (and thus no exceptions were needed), or there may have been unpublished regulations. The classification is AMBIGUOUS because the statutory text in force on 1990-01-01 cannot be identified.
Law changes
Baseline
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
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Dates: Effective 1990-01-01
Why this score
No copyright statute for the DPRK has been verified as being in force on 1990-01-01. The DPRK's first known copyright law was adopted on 2001-03-21 as Directive No. 2141 of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. No earlier copyright statute could be located or verified via web search. Therefore, the legal status of copyright exceptions for research purposes on 1990-01-01 is indeterminate — there may have been no copyright law at all, meaning no copyright restrictions existed (and thus no exceptions were needed), or there may have been unpublished regulations. The classification is AMBIGUOUS because the statutory text in force on 1990-01-01 cannot be identified.
조선민주주의인민공화국 저작권법 (Copyright Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
Relevant update · Effective 2001-03-21
60%
Relevant section: 제32조 (저작물의 무허가리용), 제9조 (저작권의 대상), 제14조, 제15조
Dates: Effective 2001-03-21 · Enacted 2001-03-21
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception is Article 32(9), which permits reproduction and translation of works for individual or household use. This covers full works and all types of works, but is restricted to individuals/households (private use) and covers only reproduction and translation — not sharing, distribution, or communication to the public. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or explicit research exception. Article 32(8) provides a library/institutional exception but is limited to preservation, display, reading, and lending — it does not explicitly cover research reproduction by researchers. Article 32(4) permits quotation, which is limited to excerpts. Article 32(7) covers school education, not research. No TDM exception exists. The most permissive exception for a researcher is Article 32(9) — private/personal reproduction of full works — which maps to LIGHT BLUE. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, copy limits) were not considered in the color assignment.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction or translation of works for use by an individual or within the scope of a household. Covers all works, full works, but limited to private/personal use and reproduction/translation only.
Reproduction of works for preservation, display, reading, or lending at libraries, document repositories, museums, memorial halls. Institutional exception limited to specific purposes.
Reproduction, broadcast, or adaptation of works for school education purposes.
Quotation of a work. Limited to excerpts/quotations, not full works.
Reproduction, broadcast, or use in compilations of works necessary for state administration.
Original text
제32조 (저작물의 무허가리용) 저작권자의 허가를 받지 않고 저작물을 리용하는 경우는 다음과 같다. 1. 맹인을 위하여 저작물을 록음하거나 점자로 복제할 경우 2. 공공장소에 설치된 저작물을 복제할 경우 3. 저작물을 무료로 공연할 경우 4. 저작물을 인용할 경우 5. 저작물을 소개하기 위하여 방송하거나 신문, 정기간행물에 내는 경우 6. 국가관리에 필요한 저작물을 복제, 방송하거나 편집물작성에 리용할 경우 7. 학교교육을 위하여 저작물을 복제, 방송, 개작할 경우 8. 도서관, 문헌고, 박물관, 기념관 같은 곳에서 저작물을 보존, 진렬, 열람, 대출용으로 복제할 경우 9. 개인 또는 가정적범위에서 쓰기 위하여 저작물을 복제, 번역할 경우
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 32 (Use of works without permission) Cases where works may be used without the permission of the copyright holder are as follows: 1. Where a work is sound-recorded or reproduced in Braille for the blind; 2. Where a work installed in a public place is reproduced; 3. Where a work is performed free of charge; 4. Where a work is quoted; 5. Where a work is broadcast or published in newspapers or periodicals for the purpose of introducing it; 6. Where a work necessary for state administration is reproduced, broadcast, or used in the preparation of compilations; 7. Where a work is reproduced, broadcast, or adapted for school education; 8. Where a work is reproduced for preservation, display, reading, or lending purposes at places such as libraries, document repositories, museums, or memorial halls; 9. Where a work is reproduced or translated for use by an individual or within the scope of a household.
Source links
조선민주주의인민공화국 저작권법 (Copyright Law of the DPRK, amended 2006)
Relevant update · Effective 2006-02-01
60%
Relevant section: 제32조
Dates: Effective 2006-02-01 · Enacted 2006-02-01
Why this score
The 2006 amendment (Directive No. 1532) amended and supplemented the 2001 Copyright Law. WIPO Lex hosts the record for this version. However, the full text of the 2006 version as distinct from the 2012 version could not be independently verified to determine whether Article 32 was changed. Based on available evidence, the exceptions structure appears substantially the same. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE based on Article 32(9) (private use reproduction of full works) as the most permissive research-relevant exception.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction or translation of works for use by an individual or within the scope of a household.
Reproduction of works for preservation, display, reading, or lending at libraries, document repositories, museums, memorial halls.
Reproduction, broadcast, or adaptation of works for school education.
Quotation of a work.
Reproduction, broadcast, or use in compilations of works necessary for state administration.
Source links
조선민주주의인민공화국 저작권법 (Copyright Law of the DPRK, amended 2012)
Relevant update · Effective 2012-11-13
60%
Relevant section: 제32조
Dates: Effective 2012-11-13 · Enacted 2012-11-13
Why this score
The 2012 amendment (Directive No. 2803, dated 2012-11-13) amended and supplemented the Copyright Law. The text of Article 32 as available from Wikisource and Law and North Korea shows the same nine categories of permitted use without authorization. Article 32(9) remains the most permissive research-relevant exception: it permits reproduction and translation of any type of work, including full works, for individual or household use. This is a private-use exception — restricted to individuals, covering reproduction only (not sharing/communication). No fair use, fair dealing, general research, or TDM exception exists. Classification: LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restrictions and copy limits were not factored into the color.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction or translation of works for use by an individual or within the scope of a household. All works, full works, but private/personal use only, reproduction/translation only.
Reproduction of works for preservation, display, reading, or lending at libraries, document repositories, museums, memorial halls.
Reproduction, broadcast, or adaptation of works for school education.
Quotation of a work. Limited to excerpts.
Reproduction, broadcast, or use in compilations of works necessary for state administration.
Sound recording or Braille reproduction for the blind.
Broadcasting or publishing in newspapers/periodicals for the purpose of introducing a work.
Original text
제32조 (저작물의 무허가리용) 저작권자의 허가를 받지 않고 저작물을 리용하는 경우는 다음과 같다. 1. 맹인을 위하여 저작물을 록음하거나 점자로 복제할 경우 2. 공공장소에 설치된 저작물을 복제할 경우 3. 저작물을 무료로 공연할 경우 4. 저작물을 인용할 경우 5. 저작물을 소개하기 위하여 방송하거나 신문, 정기간행물에 내는 경우 6. 국가관리에 필요한 저작물을 복제, 방송하거나 편집물작성에 리용할 경우 7. 학교교육을 위하여 저작물을 복제, 방송, 개작할 경우 8. 도서관, 문헌고, 박물관, 기념관 같은 곳에서 저작물을 보존, 진렬, 열람, 대출용으로 복제할 경우 9. 개인 또는 가정적범위에서 쓰기 위하여 저작물을 복제, 번역할 경우
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 32 (Use of works without permission) Cases where works may be used without the permission of the copyright holder are as follows: 1. Where a work is sound-recorded or reproduced in Braille for the blind; 2. Where a work installed in a public place is reproduced; 3. Where a work is performed free of charge; 4. Where a work is quoted; 5. Where a work is broadcast or published in newspapers or periodicals for the purpose of introducing it; 6. Where a work necessary for state administration is reproduced, broadcast, or used in the preparation of compilations; 7. Where a work is reproduced, broadcast, or adapted for school education; 8. Where a work is reproduced for preservation, display, reading, or lending purposes at places such as libraries, document repositories, museums, or memorial halls; 9. Where a work is reproduced or translated for use by an individual or within the scope of a household.
Source links
조선민주주의인민공화국 저작권법 (Copyright Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2012-11-13
60%
Relevant section: 제32조
Dates: Effective 2012-11-13 · Enacted 2012-11-13
Why this score
As of 2025, the most recent verified version of the DPRK Copyright Law is the 2012 amended version (Directive No. 2803). No subsequent amendment to the Copyright Law affecting exceptions and limitations has been identified via web search. The WIPO Lex member profile for the DPRK does not list any copyright law amendment after 2012. Article 32 contains nine categories of permitted use without authorization. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Article 32(9): reproduction or translation of works for individual or household use. This permits full-work reproduction of all types of works but is restricted to private/personal use (individuals and households) and covers only reproduction and translation — not sharing, distribution, or communication to the public. There is no general fair use, fair dealing, explicit research exception, three-step-test enabling clause, or TDM exception. Article 32(8) provides a library exception but is limited to preservation, display, reading, and lending — not explicitly research reproduction. Article 32(4) permits quotation (excerpts only). Article 32(7) covers school education only. Classification: LIGHT BLUE. Uses: reproduction and translation only (no sharing/communication). Works: all types. Users: individuals/households only. Non-commercial restrictions and copy limits were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction or translation of works for use by an individual or within the scope of a household. All works, full works, private/personal use only, reproduction/translation only.
Reproduction of works for preservation, display, reading, or lending at libraries, document repositories, museums, memorial halls.
Reproduction, broadcast, or adaptation of works for school education.
Quotation of a work. Limited to excerpts/quotations.
Reproduction, broadcast, or use in compilations of works necessary for state administration.
Sound recording or Braille reproduction for the blind.
Reproduction of works installed in public places.
Free-of-charge performance of works.
Broadcasting or publishing in newspapers/periodicals for the purpose of introducing a work.
Original text
제32조 (저작물의 무허가리용) 저작권자의 허가를 받지 않고 저작물을 리용하는 경우는 다음과 같다. 1. 맹인을 위하여 저작물을 록음하거나 점자로 복제할 경우 2. 공공장소에 설치된 저작물을 복제할 경우 3. 저작물을 무료로 공연할 경우 4. 저작물을 인용할 경우 5. 저작물을 소개하기 위하여 방송하거나 신문, 정기간행물에 내는 경우 6. 국가관리에 필요한 저작물을 복제, 방송하거나 편집물작성에 리용할 경우 7. 학교교육을 위하여 저작물을 복제, 방송, 개작할 경우 8. 도서관, 문헌고, 박물관, 기념관 같은 곳에서 저작물을 보존, 진렬, 열람, 대출용으로 복제할 경우 9. 개인 또는 가정적범위에서 쓰기 위하여 저작물을 복제, 번역할 경우
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 32 (Use of works without permission) Cases where works may be used without the permission of the copyright holder are as follows: 1. Where a work is sound-recorded or reproduced in Braille for the blind; 2. Where a work installed in a public place is reproduced; 3. Where a work is performed free of charge; 4. Where a work is quoted; 5. Where a work is broadcast or published in newspapers or periodicals for the purpose of introducing it; 6. Where a work necessary for state administration is reproduced, broadcast, or used in the preparation of compilations; 7. Where a work is reproduced, broadcast, or adapted for school education; 8. Where a work is reproduced for preservation, display, reading, or lending purposes at places such as libraries, document repositories, museums, or memorial halls; 9. Where a work is reproduced or translated for use by an individual or within the scope of a household.