Selected year snapshot
For 2024, the active event in this file is Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989).
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Current rationale
The Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989) is the copyright statute in force in Lesotho from 1989. WIPO Lex lists this law and confirms its existence, but the full statutory text of the exceptions and limitations provisions (Sections 9–12, which typically address private use, quotation, reproduction by libraries, and use for teaching/research in WIPO Model Law-based statutes) could not be retrieved in full verbatim form via web search. The WIPO Lex page for this law (https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/8830) confirms the law but the PDF text was not accessible for verbatim extraction. The LesothoLII legislation database (https://lesotholii.org/legislation/) lists the Copyright Regulations, 2015 but does not host the full text of the Copyright Order, 1989 itself. Without the verbatim text of the exceptions provisions, a confident color classification cannot be made. Based on the structure of the 1989 Order (which is modeled on the WIPO Model Law for Developing Countries and the 1976 Tunis Model Law), it is expected to contain: (1) a private reproduction exception (Section 9), (2) a quotation exception (Section 10), (3) a reprographic reproduction exception for libraries/archives (Section 11), and (4) a teaching/research exception (Section 12). If the teaching/research exception follows the WIPO Model Law pattern, it would likely permit reproduction for teaching or research purposes with conditions. However, without verified verbatim text, AMBIGUOUS is assigned.
Exceptions considered
Likely private reproduction/use exception, based on WIPO Model Law structure
Likely quotation exception
Likely reprographic reproduction by libraries/archives exception
Likely teaching and/or research exception
Law changes
Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989)
Baseline · Effective 1989-01-01
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Relevant section: Sections 9, 10, 11, 12
Dates: Effective 1989-01-01 · Enacted 1989-01-01
Why this score
The Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989) is the copyright statute in force in Lesotho from 1989. WIPO Lex lists this law and confirms its existence, but the full statutory text of the exceptions and limitations provisions (Sections 9–12, which typically address private use, quotation, reproduction by libraries, and use for teaching/research in WIPO Model Law-based statutes) could not be retrieved in full verbatim form via web search. The WIPO Lex page for this law (https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/8830) confirms the law but the PDF text was not accessible for verbatim extraction. The LesothoLII legislation database (https://lesotholii.org/legislation/) lists the Copyright Regulations, 2015 but does not host the full text of the Copyright Order, 1989 itself. Without the verbatim text of the exceptions provisions, a confident color classification cannot be made. Based on the structure of the 1989 Order (which is modeled on the WIPO Model Law for Developing Countries and the 1976 Tunis Model Law), it is expected to contain: (1) a private reproduction exception (Section 9), (2) a quotation exception (Section 10), (3) a reprographic reproduction exception for libraries/archives (Section 11), and (4) a teaching/research exception (Section 12). If the teaching/research exception follows the WIPO Model Law pattern, it would likely permit reproduction for teaching or research purposes with conditions. However, without verified verbatim text, AMBIGUOUS is assigned.
Exceptions considered
Likely private reproduction/use exception, based on WIPO Model Law structure
Likely quotation exception
Likely reprographic reproduction by libraries/archives exception
Likely teaching and/or research exception
Source links
Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
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Relevant section: Sections 9, 10, 11, 12 (expected)
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, the Copyright Order, 1989 (Order No. 13 of 1989) remains the principal copyright statute of Lesotho. It has not been repealed or replaced. The Copyright Regulations, 2015 (Legal Notice 139 of 2015) were made under section 39 of the 1989 Order and are administrative/procedural in nature — they establish a collecting society framework, define terms, and set out registration procedures. The 2015 Regulations do not create, modify, or repeal any exceptions or limitations to copyright. No subsequent amendment to the Copyright Order, 1989 that would affect research-related exceptions was identified via web search. The LesothoLII legislation database and WIPO Lex were both consulted. No TDM-specific exception exists. The classification remains AMBIGUOUS because the full verbatim text of the exceptions provisions of the 1989 Order could not be retrieved and verified. The three dimensions (Uses, Works, Users) cannot be assessed without the actual statutory text. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restrictions, copy limits, remuneration) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Likely private reproduction/use exception, based on WIPO Model Law structure
Likely quotation exception
Likely reprographic reproduction by libraries/archives exception
Likely teaching and/or research exception