Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Baseline.
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Current rationale
Papua New Guinea did not have a dedicated copyright statute in force on 1990-01-01. Prior to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000, PNG's copyright regime was inherited from the pre-independence Australian Copyright Act 1968 as applied via the Laws Repeal and Adopting Act (Ch. 1) and the Underlying Law Act. However, no verified official statutory text of the copyright law actually in force in PNG on 1990-01-01 could be located via web search. The Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989 dealt with censorship, not copyright exceptions. Without access to the verified statutory text of the copyright law in force on that date, the status must be AMBIGUOUS. The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000 (No. 21 of 2000) was enacted in 2000 and came into operation by notice in the National Gazette, but the exact commencement date could not be verified from the sources retrieved.
Law changes
Baseline
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
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Dates: Effective 1990-01-01
Why this score
Papua New Guinea did not have a dedicated copyright statute in force on 1990-01-01. Prior to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000, PNG's copyright regime was inherited from the pre-independence Australian Copyright Act 1968 as applied via the Laws Repeal and Adopting Act (Ch. 1) and the Underlying Law Act. However, no verified official statutory text of the copyright law actually in force in PNG on 1990-01-01 could be located via web search. The Classification of Publication (Censorship) Act 1989 dealt with censorship, not copyright exceptions. Without access to the verified statutory text of the copyright law in force on that date, the status must be AMBIGUOUS. The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000 (No. 21 of 2000) was enacted in 2000 and came into operation by notice in the National Gazette, but the exact commencement date could not be verified from the sources retrieved.
Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000
Relevant update · Effective 2000-06-21
60%
Relevant section: Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Dates: Effective 2000-06-21 · Enacted 2000-06-21
Why this score
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000 introduced PNG's first comprehensive copyright exceptions. The most permissive exception relevant to research is Section 17 (Private Reproduction for Personal Purposes), which permits a natural person to make a single copy of a published work exclusively for his own personal purposes. This covers reproduction of full works (subject to exclusions for architecture, substantial parts of digital databases, and computer programs). Section 20 provides a library/archival exception but is limited to 'published articles, other short works or short extracts of a work' for study, scholarship or private research — this does not permit full-work reproduction and is therefore RED individually. Section 18 (Quotation) only permits quotations, not full-work reproduction — RED. Section 19 (Teaching) is limited to short parts/short extracts — RED. There is no general fair dealing or fair use clause. There is no TDM exception. Section 17 is the most permissive: it permits reproduction of full works by a natural person for personal purposes (which includes private research/study), but it is restricted to natural persons acting for their own personal purposes, does not cover sharing/communication, and excludes architecture, substantial parts of digital databases, and computer programs. The exclusion of specific work categories (architecture, digital databases, computer programs) means this is not a clean LIGHT BLUE — it could be ORANGE due to work-type exclusions. However, the exclusions are narrow carve-outs from an otherwise broad permission covering all published works, and the primary restriction is the 'natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes' user limitation. Under the classification hierarchy, the user restriction (individual/private only = LIGHT BLUE) and the work exclusions (ORANGE) both apply; the more restrictive element governs. ORANGE is more restrictive than LIGHT BLUE in the hierarchy. However, re-examining: LIGHT BLUE already implies a private/personal user restriction. The work exclusions (architecture, digital databases, computer programs) are additional restrictions on top of the private-use limitation. Since ORANGE (work-type exclusion) is more restrictive than LIGHT BLUE (user restriction) in the color hierarchy (GREEN > BLUE > LIGHT BLUE > PURPLE > ORANGE > RED), the compound restriction should be classified at the most restrictive element. But the hierarchy ranks LIGHT BLUE as less restrictive than ORANGE, meaning ORANGE is the more restrictive classification. On reflection, the work exclusions in Section 17(2) are relatively narrow (architecture as buildings, substantial parts of digital databases, computer programs), and the exception still permits full-work reproduction of literary works, musical works, artistic works, audiovisual works, photographs, etc. The exception does permit full-work reproduction for at least some (indeed most) types of works. The primary limiting factor for research classification is the restriction to 'natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes' — this is a LIGHT BLUE restriction. The work exclusions add an ORANGE element. Since ORANGE is more restrictive than LIGHT BLUE in the hierarchy, the compound result should be ORANGE. However, I note that the work exclusions are narrow carve-outs and the exception covers the vast majority of work types in full. The classification rules state: 'if a single exception has restrictions in more than one dimension, classify according to the most restrictive element.' ORANGE is more restrictive than LIGHT BLUE. Therefore the classification should be ORANGE. But wait — re-reading the color definitions more carefully: LIGHT BLUE means 'permits reproduction of whole works but restricts the beneficiary to individuals.' ORANGE means 'permits reproduction of full works for research, but excludes specific categories of works.' The question is which is more restrictive. The hierarchy says GREEN > BLUE > LIGHT BLUE > PURPLE > ORANGE > RED. So LIGHT BLUE is LESS restrictive than ORANGE. When compound restrictions apply, we use the MOST restrictive element, which is ORANGE. Final classification: ORANGE. Classification-neutral factors: the single-copy limit and the three-step-test language in Section 17(2)(d) do not affect the color.
Exceptions considered
Private reproduction of a published work in a single copy by a natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes. Excludes architecture (as buildings), substantial parts of digital databases, and computer programs. Subject to three-step test.
Quotation from a work lawfully made available to the public, compatible with fair practice, not exceeding extent justified by purpose.
Reproduction of a short part of a published work for teaching purposes; reprographic reproduction of articles, short works or short extracts for face-to-face teaching in non-commercial educational institutions.
Reprographic reproduction by libraries and archival centres of published articles, other short works or short extracts to satisfy requests of natural persons for study, scholarship or private research. Also permits preservation copies.
Reproduction, broadcasting and communication to the public for informatory purposes — limited to news articles, current events reporting, and public lectures.
Reproduction and adaptation of computer programs by lawful owner for use with a computer or archival purposes.
Original text
17. PRIVATE REPRODUCTION FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), the private reproduction of a published work in a single copy shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright, where the reproduction is made by a natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes. (2) The permission under Subsection (1) shall not extend to reproduction – (a) of a work of architecture in the form of a building or other construction; or (b) of the whole or a substantial part of a database in digital form; or (c) of a computer program except as provided in Section 22; or (d) of any work in cases where reproduction would conflict with a normal exploitation of the work or would otherwise unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author or owner of copyright. 18. QUOTATION. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), it shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright, to reproduce a quotation from a work which has already been lawfully made available to the public, provided that the reproduction is compatible with fair practice and does not exceed the extent justified by the purpose, including quotations from newspaper articles and periodicals in the form of press summaries. 19. REPRODUCTION FOR TEACHING. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), the following acts shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright – (a) the reproduction of a short part of a published work for teaching purposes by way of illustration, in writings or in sound or visual recordings, provided that such reproduction is compatible with fair practice; and (b) the reprographic reproduction, for face-to-face teaching in educational institutions the activities of which do not serve direct or indirect commercial gain, of published articles, other short works or short extracts of works, to the extent justified by the purpose, provided that – (i) the act of reproduction is an isolated one occurring, if repeated, on separate and unrelated occasions; and (ii) there is no collective licence available (that is to say, offered by a collective administration organization of which the educational institution is or should be aware) under which such reproduction can be made. 20. REPROGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION BY LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVAL CENTRES. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), any library or archival centre whose activities do not serve direct or indirect commercial gain may, without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright, make a single copy of the work by reprographic reproduction – (a) where the work reproduced is a published article, other short work or short extract of a work, and where the purpose of the reproduction is to satisfy the request of a natural person, provided that – (i) the library or archival centre is satisfied that the copy will be used solely for the purposes of study, scholarship or private research; and (ii) the act of reproduction is an isolated one occurring, if repeated, on separate and unrelated occasions; or (b) where the copy is made in order to preserve and, if necessary, replace a copy, or to replace a copy which has been lost, destroyed or rendered unusable in the permanent collection of another similar library or archival centre, provided that it is impossible to obtain such a copy under reasonable conditions. (2) No copy of a work shall be reproduced under this section if such reproduction would conflict with the normal exploitation of the work or would otherwise unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author or owner of copyright. 21. REPRODUCTION, BROADCASTING AND OTHER COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATORY PURPOSES. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), the following acts shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright – (a) the reproduction in a newspaper or periodical, the broadcasting or other communication to the public of – (i) any article published in a newspaper or periodical on current economic, political or religious topics; and (ii) any broadcast work of the same character, where the reproduction, broadcasting or other communication to the public has not been expressly reserved; and (b) for the purpose of reporting current events, the reproduction and the broadcasting or other communication to the public of short excerpts of a work seen or heard in the course of such events, to the extent justified by the purpose; and (c) the reproduction in a newspaper or periodical, the broadcasting or other communication to the public of a lecture, address, sermon or other work of a similar nature delivered in public, to the extent justified by the purpose of providing current information. 22. REPRODUCTION AND ADAPTATION OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), the reproduction in a single copy, or the adaptation, of a computer program by the lawful owner of a copy of that computer program shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright, provided that the copy or adaptation is necessary – (a) for use of the computer program with a computer for the purpose and extent for which the computer program has been obtained; or (b) for archival purposes and for the replacement of the lawfully owned copy of the computer program in the event that the lawfully owned copy of the computer program is lost, destroyed or rendered unusable. (2) No copy or adaptation of a computer program shall be made under this section except with the authorization of the owner of copyright in the computer program – (a) for purposes other than those specified in Subsection (1); or (b) for the use of any person other than the lawful owner of a copy of the computer program.
Source links
Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-03-08
20%
Relevant section: Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Dates: Effective 2025-03-08
Why this score
As of 2025, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000 remains in force with no verified amendments to its exceptions provisions. The most permissive research-relevant exception remains Section 17 (Private Reproduction for Personal Purposes), which permits a natural person to reproduce a published work in a single copy exclusively for his own personal purposes. This covers full-work reproduction but: (1) restricts users to natural persons acting for personal purposes (LIGHT BLUE dimension), (2) excludes works of architecture as buildings, substantial parts of digital databases, and computer programs (ORANGE dimension), and (3) does not cover sharing/communication (not GREEN or BLUE). Under the compound-restriction rule, the most restrictive element governs. ORANGE (work-type exclusion) is more restrictive than LIGHT BLUE (user restriction) in the hierarchy. No general fair dealing, fair use, three-step-test enabling clause, or TDM exception exists. The library exception (Section 20) is limited to articles, short works, and short extracts — it does not permit full-work reproduction and is therefore RED. Classification-neutral factors (single-copy limit, non-commercial nature of personal use, three-step-test language in Section 17(2)(d)) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Private reproduction of a published work in a single copy by a natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes. Excludes architecture (as buildings), substantial parts of digital databases, and computer programs.
Quotation from a work lawfully made available to the public, compatible with fair practice, not exceeding extent justified by purpose.
Reproduction of short parts for teaching; reprographic reproduction of articles, short works or short extracts for face-to-face teaching in non-commercial educational institutions.
Reprographic reproduction by libraries and archival centres of published articles, other short works or short extracts for study, scholarship or private research. Also preservation copies.
Reproduction, broadcasting and communication to the public for informatory purposes — news articles, current events, public lectures.
Reproduction and adaptation of computer programs by lawful owner for use or archival purposes.
Original text
17. PRIVATE REPRODUCTION FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(1), the private reproduction of a published work in a single copy shall be permitted without the authorization of the author or owner of copyright, where the reproduction is made by a natural person exclusively for his own personal purposes. (2) The permission under Subsection (1) shall not extend to reproduction – (a) of a work of architecture in the form of a building or other construction; or (b) of the whole or a substantial part of a database in digital form; or (c) of a computer program except as provided in Section 22; or (d) of any work in cases where reproduction would conflict with a normal exploitation of the work or would otherwise unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author or owner of copyright.