Mexico

Ley Federal sobre el Derecho de Autor (1956, reformada)

Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01

?

Relevant section: Art. 18

Dates: Effective 1990-01-01

Why this score

The copyright law in force on 1990-01-01 in Mexico was the Ley Federal sobre el Derecho de Autor originally enacted in 1956 (published DOF 31-12-1956), with subsequent amendments. I was unable to retrieve the full verified statutory text of this law as it stood on 1990-01-01 via web search. The 1956 law contained exceptions in Articles 18-21 relating to quotation, reproduction for personal/private use, and educational use. Without the verified text, the precise scope of research-relevant exceptions cannot be confirmed. The law was replaced entirely by the new Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor published DOF 24-12-1996, effective 1997-03-24. Given the inability to verify the exact text, this is classified as AMBIGUOUS.

Exceptions considered

Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (1996)

Relevant update · Effective 1997-03-24

0%

Relevant section: Art. 148

Dates: Effective 1997-03-24 · Enacted 1996-12-24

Why this score

Article 148 of the 1996 LFDA is the principal exceptions provision. Evaluating all fractions: (I) quotation — limited to excerpts that are not substantial; (II) reproduction of press articles on current events — limited to news articles, not general research copying; (III) reproduction of 'parts of the work' for scientific, literary or artistic criticism and research — this is the most directly research-relevant exception, but it is explicitly limited to 'partes de la obra' (parts of the work), not full works; (IV) single-copy reproduction for personal and private use — limited to a single copy for personal/private use, but this does permit reproduction of a full work for personal/private use without profit; legal entities cannot use this unless they are educational/research institutions or non-commercial. Fraction IV is the most permissive for research purposes: it permits reproduction of a complete literary or artistic work, in a single copy, for personal and private use. This is open to individuals (personal and private use) and also to research institutions. However, it does not cover sharing/communication/distribution. Fraction III covers research specifically but only permits 'parts of the work.' Fraction V is limited to archives/libraries for preservation of out-of-print works. Fraction VII covers communication and distribution but only for works visible from public places (panorama freedom). The most permissive exception for research is Fraction IV: full-work reproduction, single copy, personal/private use, no profit. This maps to LIGHT BLUE (reproduction of full works, restricted to individuals/private use, no sharing). However, legal entities that are research institutions can also use it, which slightly broadens the user class. The non-commercial restriction is classification-neutral. Classification: LIGHT BLUE. Fraction III permits only parts of works (RED on its own). Fraction IV permits full works but only for private/personal use (LIGHT BLUE). The most permissive is LIGHT BLUE.

Exceptions considered

Original text

Artículo 148.- Las obras literarias y artísticas ya divulgadas podrán utilizarse, siempre que no se afecte la explotación normal de la obra, sin autorización del titular del derecho patrimonial y sin remuneración, citando invariablemente la fuente y sin alterar la obra, sólo en los siguientes casos:
I. Cita de textos, siempre que la cantidad tomada no pueda considerarse como una reproducción simulada y sustancial del contenido de la obra;
II. Reproducción de artículos, fotografías, ilustraciones y comentarios referentes a acontecimientos de actualidad, publicados por la prensa o difundidos por la radio o la televisión, o cualquier otro medio de difusión, si esto no hubiere sido expresamente prohibido por el titular del derecho;
III. Reproducción de partes de la obra, para la crítica e investigación científica, literaria o artística;
IV. Reproducción por una sola vez, y en un sólo ejemplar, de una obra literaria o artística, para uso personal y privado de quien la hace y sin fines de lucro.
Las personas morales no podrán valerse de lo dispuesto en esta fracción salvo que se trate de una institución educativa, de investigación, o que no esté dedicada a actividades mercantiles;
V. Reproducción de una sola copia, por parte de un archivo o biblioteca, por razones de seguridad y preservación, y que se encuentre agotada, descatalogada y en peligro de desaparecer;
VI. Reproducción para constancia en un procedimiento judicial o administrativo, y
VII. Reproducción, comunicación y distribución por medio de dibujos, pinturas, fotografías y procedimientos audiovisuales de las obras que sean visibles desde lugares públicos.

English rendering

[Unofficial translation]: Article 148.- Literary and artistic works already disclosed may be used, provided that the normal exploitation of the work is not affected, without authorization of the holder of the economic right and without remuneration, invariably citing the source and without altering the work, only in the following cases:
I. Quotation of texts, provided that the amount taken cannot be considered a simulated and substantial reproduction of the content of the work;
II. Reproduction of articles, photographs, illustrations and comments referring to current events, published by the press or broadcast by radio or television, or any other means of dissemination, if this has not been expressly prohibited by the rights holder;
III. Reproduction of parts of the work, for scientific, literary or artistic criticism and research;
IV. Reproduction for a single time, and in a single copy, of a literary or artistic work, for the personal and private use of the person making it and without profit motive.
Legal entities may not avail themselves of this provision unless they are an educational or research institution, or one not dedicated to commercial activities;
V. Reproduction of a single copy, by an archive or library, for reasons of security and preservation, and that is out of print, decatalogued and in danger of disappearing;
VI. Reproduction for the record in judicial or administrative proceedings, and
VII. Reproduction, communication and distribution by means of drawings, paintings, photographs and audiovisual procedures of works that are visible from public places.

Source links

• Official text 1 ↗
• Official text 2 ↗

Decreto por el que se reforma la Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (DOF 23-07-2003)

Relevant update · Effective 2003-07-24

60%

Relevant section: Art. 148 (unchanged), Art. 29, Art. 40

Dates: Effective 2003-07-24 · Enacted 2003-04-30

Why this score

The 2003 amendment (DOF 23-07-2003, signed by President Vicente Fox on 30-04-2003) amended Articles 27, 29, 78, 86, 88-90, 118, 122, 132-134, 146, 213 and added Articles 26 bis, 83 bis, 92 bis, 117 bis, 131 bis, and 216 bis. The key changes included extending the term of copyright protection from 75 to 100 years after the author's death (Art. 29), adding royalty rights for public communication (Art. 26 bis), and adding anti-circumvention provisions (Art. 216 bis). Article 148 (the exceptions provision) was NOT amended by this decree. Therefore the research-relevant exceptions remain unchanged. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE based on Art. 148(IV) as the most permissive exception for research use.

Exceptions considered

Source links

• Official text 1 ↗
• Official text 2 ↗

Decreto por el que se reforman y adicionan diversas disposiciones de la Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (DOF 01-07-2020)

Relevant update · Effective 2020-07-02

60%

Relevant section: Art. 148, Art. 114 bis, Art. 114 ter, Art. 114 quáter, Art. 114 quinquies

Dates: Effective 2020-07-02 · Enacted 2020-07-01

Why this score

The July 1, 2020 reform implemented Mexico's obligations under the USMCA/T-MEC (CPTPP-related IP provisions). The reform added new provisions on technological protection measures (Arts. 114 bis through 114 quinquies) and related enforcement. The reform also added exceptions to the anti-circumvention rules for certain purposes. However, Article 148 — the core exceptions and limitations provision — was not substantively amended in a way that changed the scope of research-relevant exceptions. The private use exception in Art. 148(IV) and the research exception in Art. 148(III) remained as before. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE. Note: I was unable to retrieve the full verified text of the 2020 amendments via web search to confirm whether any new research-specific exception was added. The classification is maintained based on the best available information.

Exceptions considered

Source links

• Official text ↗

Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (texto vigente, última reforma DOF 15-01-2026)

Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01

60%

Relevant section: Art. 148

Dates: Effective 2025-01-01

Why this score

As of 2025, Article 148 of the LFDA remains the principal exceptions and limitations provision. The most recent reforms (DOF 14-11-2025 on procedural harmonization, and DOF 15-01-2026 on gender equality provisions) did not substantively change the research-relevant exceptions in Art. 148. Evaluating all exceptions: (1) Art. 148(I) — quotation, limited to non-substantial excerpts → RED. (2) Art. 148(II) — press articles on current events → not general research → RED. (3) Art. 148(III) — reproduction of 'parts of the work' for scientific, literary or artistic criticism and research → explicitly limited to parts, not full works → RED. (4) Art. 148(IV) — single-copy reproduction of a full literary or artistic work for personal and private use without profit; legal entities may use this if educational/research institutions or non-commercial → permits full-work reproduction but restricted to personal/private use (individuals) or research/educational institutions → LIGHT BLUE. This is the most permissive exception. It covers all types of works ('obra literaria o artística'), permits full-work reproduction, but restricts to personal/private use and does not authorize sharing/communication/distribution. (5) Art. 148(V) — library/archive preservation → PURPLE. (6) Art. 148(VII) — panorama freedom → not research-relevant. No TDM-specific exception exists in Mexican law. No general fair use or fair dealing clause exists. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral. Classification: LIGHT BLUE.

Exceptions considered

Original text

Artículo 148.- Las obras literarias y artísticas ya divulgadas podrán utilizarse, siempre que no se afecte la explotación normal de la obra, sin autorización del titular del derecho patrimonial y sin remuneración, citando invariablemente la fuente y sin alterar la obra, sólo en los siguientes casos:
I. Cita de textos, siempre que la cantidad tomada no pueda considerarse como una reproducción simulada y sustancial del contenido de la obra;
II. Reproducción de artículos, fotografías, ilustraciones y comentarios referentes a acontecimientos de actualidad, publicados por la prensa o difundidos por la radio o la televisión, o cualquier otro medio de difusión, si esto no hubiere sido expresamente prohibido por el titular del derecho;
III. Reproducción de partes de la obra, para la crítica e investigación científica, literaria o artística;
IV. Reproducción por una sola vez, y en un sólo ejemplar, de una obra literaria o artística, para uso personal y privado de quien la hace y sin fines de lucro.
Las personas morales no podrán valerse de lo dispuesto en esta fracción salvo que se trate de una institución educativa, de investigación, o que no esté dedicada a actividades mercantiles;
V. Reproducción de una sola copia, por parte de un archivo o biblioteca, por razones de seguridad y preservación, y que se encuentre agotada, descatalogada y en peligro de desaparecer;
VI. Reproducción para constancia en un procedimiento judicial o administrativo, y
VII. Reproducción, comunicación y distribución por medio de dibujos, pinturas, fotografías y procedimientos audiovisuales de las obras que sean visibles desde lugares públicos.

English rendering

[Unofficial translation]: Article 148.- Literary and artistic works already disclosed may be used, provided that the normal exploitation of the work is not affected, without authorization of the holder of the economic right and without remuneration, invariably citing the source and without altering the work, only in the following cases:
I. Quotation of texts, provided that the amount taken cannot be considered a simulated and substantial reproduction of the content of the work;
II. Reproduction of articles, photographs, illustrations and comments referring to current events, published by the press or broadcast by radio or television, or any other means of dissemination, if this has not been expressly prohibited by the rights holder;
III. Reproduction of parts of the work, for scientific, literary or artistic criticism and research;
IV. Reproduction for a single time, and in a single copy, of a literary or artistic work, for the personal and private use of the person making it and without profit motive.
Legal entities may not avail themselves of this provision unless they are an educational or research institution, or one not dedicated to commercial activities;
V. Reproduction of a single copy, by an archive or library, for reasons of security and preservation, and that is out of print, decatalogued and in danger of disappearing;
VI. Reproduction for the record in judicial or administrative proceedings, and
VII. Reproduction, communication and distribution by means of drawings, paintings, photographs and audiovisual procedures of works that are visible from public places.

Source links

• Official text 1 ↗
• Official text 2 ↗