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Seychelles

Copyright Act, 2014 (Act 5 of 2014).

Copyright exception history

0%20%40%60%80%100%199019952000200520102015202020252014: 100%2015: 100%2016: 100%2017: 100%2018: 100%2019: 100%2020: 100%2021: 100%2022: 100%2023: 100%2024: 100%2025: 100%YearOpenness score (%)

Selected year snapshot

For 1999, the active event in this file is Copyright Act, 1991 (Act 10 of 1991).

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Current rationale

The Copyright Act 1991 (Act 10 of 1991) was the copyright statute in force in Seychelles from 1991. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to retrieve the full statutory text of the 1991 Act to verify the exact wording of its exceptions and limitations provisions. WIPO Lex lists the Act but the full text PDF could not be accessed and verified. The prior law (Copyright Act, Cap 51, dating from the colonial era) would have been in force on 1990-01-01, but its text is also unavailable online. Without the verified statutory text, I cannot determine the scope of research-related exceptions. I therefore classify this as AMBIGUOUS pending text verification.

Law changes

Copyright Act, 1991 (Act 10 of 1991)

Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01

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Relevant section: Sections 9–10

Dates: Effective 1990-01-01

Why this score

The Copyright Act 1991 (Act 10 of 1991) was the copyright statute in force in Seychelles from 1991. Despite extensive web searching, I was unable to retrieve the full statutory text of the 1991 Act to verify the exact wording of its exceptions and limitations provisions. WIPO Lex lists the Act but the full text PDF could not be accessed and verified. The prior law (Copyright Act, Cap 51, dating from the colonial era) would have been in force on 1990-01-01, but its text is also unavailable online. Without the verified statutory text, I cannot determine the scope of research-related exceptions. I therefore classify this as AMBIGUOUS pending text verification.

Source links

Copyright Act, 2014 (Act 5 of 2014)

Relevant update · Effective 2014-08-01

100%

Relevant section: Sections 12, 13, 14, 15

Dates: Effective 2014-08-01 · Enacted 2014-04-15

Why this score

Section 12(1)(a) provides a fair dealing exception for 'research or private study by the person who deals with the work or performance.' The term 'dealing' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, etc.), not only reproduction. The exception applies to any 'work or performance' without excluding any category of works. While the phrase 'by the person who deals with the work or performance' identifies the individual researcher/student, the fair dealing framework itself is open to any user engaging in research — it is not restricted to specific institutions. The four-factor test in s.12(3) is a proportionality mechanism (classification-neutral). Additionally, Section 13 provides for reproduction for personal or private use, Section 14 provides for reproduction by libraries and archives, and Section 15 provides for reproduction for teaching. The most permissive exception is Section 12 fair dealing for research, which covers all uses, all works, and is open to any person conducting research. This maps to GREEN. The non-commercial nature factor in s.12(3)(c) is classification-neutral per the rules.

Exceptions considered

Section 12(1)(a)100%Fair DealingMost permissive

Fair dealing with a work or performance for the purposes of research or private study by the person who deals with the work or performance. Covers any type of dealing (reproduction, communication, etc.) with any work.

Section 1360%Private Use

Reproduction of a work for personal or private use. Limited to reproduction only and to private/personal use by an individual.

Section 1440%Library Institutional

Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation or replacement of lost/damaged copies, or to fulfill requests by individuals for research or private study purposes.

Section 1540%Educational

Reproduction for teaching in educational institutions, including use by way of illustration for teaching.

Original text

Source links

Copyright Act, 2014 (Act 5 of 2014)

Current law confirmation · Effective 2014-08-01

100%

Relevant section: Sections 12, 13, 14, 15

Dates: Effective 2014-08-01 · Enacted 2014-04-15

Why this score

As of 2025, the Copyright Act 2014 (Act 5 of 2014) remains in force in Seychelles. No amendments to the exceptions and limitations provisions (Sections 12–15) have been identified through web searches of SeyLII, WIPO Lex, and the Seychelles Government Gazette. Section 12(1)(a) provides fair dealing for research or private study. 'Dealing' covers any exclusive right (reproduction, communication, distribution, etc.). It applies to any 'work or performance' without excluding categories of works. It is open to any person conducting research. The four-factor test in s.12(3) is a proportionality mechanism and is classification-neutral. No TDM-specific exception exists. The most permissive exception remains Section 12 fair dealing for research, which maps to GREEN. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial purpose consideration in s.12(3)(c), lawful access, copy limits) were not factored into the color decision.

Exceptions considered

Section 12(1)(a)100%Fair DealingMost permissive

Fair dealing with a work or performance for the purposes of research or private study by the person who deals with the work or performance. Covers any type of dealing with any work.

Section 1360%Private Use

Reproduction of a work for personal or private use. Limited to reproduction only and to private/personal use by an individual.

Section 1440%Library Institutional

Reproduction by libraries and archives for preservation, replacement, or to fulfill requests by individuals for research or private study.

Section 1540%Educational

Reproduction for teaching in educational institutions, including use by way of illustration for teaching.

Original text

Source links