Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Copyright Act, 2022 (1965).
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Current rationale
The Copyright Act of 1965 (Bikram Sambat 2022) was the copyright law in force in Nepal on 1990-01-01. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to locate the full statutory text of this Act online. No official digital version, WIPO Lex entry, or archived copy of the 1965 Act's exceptions and limitations provisions could be found. Without the actual text, I cannot determine what research-related exceptions existed or classify them. The Act was later replaced by the Copyright Act, 2059 (2002).
Law changes
Copyright Act, 2022 (1965)
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
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Dates: Effective 1990-01-01
Why this score
The Copyright Act of 1965 (Bikram Sambat 2022) was the copyright law in force in Nepal on 1990-01-01. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to locate the full statutory text of this Act online. No official digital version, WIPO Lex entry, or archived copy of the 1965 Act's exceptions and limitations provisions could be found. Without the actual text, I cannot determine what research-related exceptions existed or classify them. The Act was later replaced by the Copyright Act, 2059 (2002).
Copyright Act, 2059 (2002)
Relevant update · Effective 2002-08-15
100%
Relevant section: Section 17
Dates: Effective 2002-08-15 · Enacted 2002-08-15
Why this score
Section 17(1)(a) of the Copyright Act, 2059 (2002) provides a broad 'fair use' exception covering 'any work' for 'personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events.' The term 'fair use of any work' is not limited to reproduction only — it uses the broad term 'use' which covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution, etc.). It applies to 'any work' (no work-type exclusions). It is open to any user — the provision lists 'personal use, research, study' as separate purposes joined by commas, and 'research' and 'study' are not qualified by 'private' or 'personal' (the comma structure separates 'personal use' from 'research' and 'study' as independent purposes). The exception therefore covers: (1) Uses: any use ('fair use'), not limited to reproduction; (2) Works: 'any work'; (3) Users: any user for research or study purposes. This maps to GREEN. Additionally, Section 17(1)(b) provides a library/archive reproduction exception (non-commercial), which would independently be PURPLE. Section 17(1)(c) provides an educational reproduction exception. The most permissive exception is Section 17(1)(a), which determines the GREEN classification. Non-commercial restrictions are classification-neutral per the rules. The source attribution requirement is a proportionality qualifier and does not change the color.
Exceptions considered
Fair use of any work for personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events, including quotation from published works. Source and author name must be mentioned.
Reproduction of any work for the use of library or archive, if not for commercial purpose.
Reproduction of any work for the purpose of teaching or examination in any educational institution, if not for commercial purpose.
Original text
17. Work may be used without permission: (1) The following acts shall not be deemed to be an infringement of copyright: (a) Fair use of any work for personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events, including the use of quotation from any published work. Provided, however, that the source and the name of the author of such work shall be mentioned. (b) Reproduction of any work for the use of library or archive, if such reproduction is not made for commercial purpose. (c) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of teaching or examination in any educational institution, if such reproduction is not made for commercial purpose. (d) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of judicial proceedings or for the purpose of a report of such proceedings. (e) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of making it available for the use of persons who are visually impaired or hearing impaired. (f) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of broadcasting by a broadcasting organization, if such broadcasting organization has obtained the right to broadcast such work. (2) While using any work pursuant to sub-section (1), the source and the name of the author of such work shall be mentioned.
Source links
Copyright Act, 2059 (2002)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2002-08-15
100%
Relevant section: Section 17
Dates: Effective 2002-08-15 · Enacted 2002-08-15
Why this score
As of 2025, the Copyright Act, 2059 (2002) remains the copyright law in force in Nepal. Section 17(1)(a) continues to provide a broad fair use exception for 'any work' covering 'personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events.' Analysis across three dimensions: (1) Uses: The term 'fair use' covers any type of use of a work, not limited to reproduction — it encompasses reproduction, communication, distribution, and other exclusive rights. (2) Works: Applies to 'any work' with no category exclusions. (3) Users: 'Research' and 'study' are listed as independent purposes alongside 'personal use,' meaning any user conducting research or study may invoke this exception, not only individuals acting privately. The source attribution requirement and the 'fair use' proportionality qualifier are classification-neutral. No TDM-specific exception exists in Nepal's law. The library/archive exception in Section 17(1)(b) and educational exception in Section 17(1)(c) remain in force but are less permissive than Section 17(1)(a). Classification: GREEN.
Exceptions considered
Fair use of any work for personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events, including quotation from published works. Source and author name must be mentioned.
Reproduction of any work for the use of library or archive, if not for commercial purpose.
Reproduction of any work for the purpose of teaching or examination in any educational institution, if not for commercial purpose.
Original text
17. Work may be used without permission: (1) The following acts shall not be deemed to be an infringement of copyright: (a) Fair use of any work for personal use, research, study, criticism, review, reporting of current events, including the use of quotation from any published work. Provided, however, that the source and the name of the author of such work shall be mentioned. (b) Reproduction of any work for the use of library or archive, if such reproduction is not made for commercial purpose. (c) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of teaching or examination in any educational institution, if such reproduction is not made for commercial purpose. (d) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of judicial proceedings or for the purpose of a report of such proceedings. (e) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of making it available for the use of persons who are visually impaired or hearing impaired. (f) Reproduction of any work for the purpose of broadcasting by a broadcasting organization, if such broadcasting organization has obtained the right to broadcast such work. (2) While using any work pursuant to sub-section (1), the source and the name of the author of such work shall be mentioned.