Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is Legge sul diritto di autore, N. XII del 12 gennaio 1960 (incorporating Italian Law No. 633 of April 22, 1941, as amended).
60%
Current rationale
Vatican City's Law No. XII of 1960 adopted Italian copyright law by reference. The Italian Copyright Act (Law No. 633/1941) as in force in 1990 contained Art. 68, which permitted reproduction of single copies of works for personal use by the reader, provided it was done by hand or by means not suitable for circulation. Art. 65 permitted reproduction of articles on current topics in periodicals. Art. 70 permitted quotation of excerpts for criticism, discussion, or teaching purposes. The most permissive exception relevant to research was Art. 68's private/personal use exception, which allowed reproduction of works for personal use of the reader (including private study). However, this was limited to personal/private use (restricting the user class to individuals), did not authorize sharing or communication, and was restricted to means not suitable for circulation (hand-copying or similar). No general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception existed. The private-use exception (Art. 68) determines the classification as LIGHT BLUE: reproduction of full works is permitted, but only for private/personal use by individuals, with no sharing permitted. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, single-copy limit) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of a single copy of a work for personal use of the reader, provided done by hand or by means not suitable for circulation or dissemination of the work
Quotation of excerpts of works for purposes of criticism, discussion, or teaching, within limits justified by such purposes and not constituting competition with the economic exploitation of the work
Reproduction of articles on current economic, political, or religious topics published in periodicals, unless reproduction is expressly reserved
Law changes
Legge sul diritto di autore, N. XII del 12 gennaio 1960 (incorporating Italian Law No. 633 of April 22, 1941, as amended)
Baseline · Effective 1960-01-12
60%
Relevant section: Art. 1 of Law No. XII/1960; Art. 65–71 and Art. 68 of Italian Law No. 633/1941 (as in force in 1990)
Dates: Effective 1960-01-12 · Enacted 1960-01-12
Why this score
Vatican City's Law No. XII of 1960 adopted Italian copyright law by reference. The Italian Copyright Act (Law No. 633/1941) as in force in 1990 contained Art. 68, which permitted reproduction of single copies of works for personal use by the reader, provided it was done by hand or by means not suitable for circulation. Art. 65 permitted reproduction of articles on current topics in periodicals. Art. 70 permitted quotation of excerpts for criticism, discussion, or teaching purposes. The most permissive exception relevant to research was Art. 68's private/personal use exception, which allowed reproduction of works for personal use of the reader (including private study). However, this was limited to personal/private use (restricting the user class to individuals), did not authorize sharing or communication, and was restricted to means not suitable for circulation (hand-copying or similar). No general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception existed. The private-use exception (Art. 68) determines the classification as LIGHT BLUE: reproduction of full works is permitted, but only for private/personal use by individuals, with no sharing permitted. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, single-copy limit) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction of a single copy of a work for personal use of the reader, provided done by hand or by means not suitable for circulation or dissemination of the work
Quotation of excerpts of works for purposes of criticism, discussion, or teaching, within limits justified by such purposes and not constituting competition with the economic exploitation of the work
Reproduction of articles on current economic, political, or religious topics published in periodicals, unless reproduction is expressly reserved
Original text
Art. 1. - Per quanto concerne la materia del diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno si osserva nella Città del Vaticano la legislazione dello Stato italiano, compresi i regolamenti vigenti alla entrata in vigore della presente, purchè non sia contraria ai precetti di diritto divino nè a principii generali del diritto canonico, nonchè alle norme del Trattato e del Concordato stipulati fra la Santa Sede e lo Stato italiano nell'11 febbraio 1929 e sempre che, in relazione allo stato di fatto esistente nella Città del Vaticano, risulti ivi applicabile.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. 1. - With regard to the subject matter of copyright on works of the intellect, the legislation of the Italian State shall be observed in Vatican City, including the regulations in force at the entry into force of the present law, provided that it is not contrary to the precepts of divine law nor to the general principles of canon law, nor to the norms of the Treaty and Concordat stipulated between the Holy See and the Italian State on 11 February 1929, and provided that, in relation to the state of affairs existing in Vatican City, it is applicable therein.
Source links
Legge N. CXXXII sulla protezione del diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno e dei diritti connessi, 19 marzo 2011
Relevant update · Effective 2011-03-19
60%
Relevant section: Art. 1 §§ 1-2 of Law No. CXXXII/2011 (incorporating Italian Law No. 633/1941 as amended up to 2011, including Art. 64-sexies, 65, 68, 70, 71-ter, 71-sexies through 71-octies)
Dates: Effective 2011-03-19 · Enacted 2011-03-19
Why this score
Law No. CXXXII of 2011 replaced the 1960 Vatican copyright law and crucially updated the reception mechanism. Art. 1 § 1 now refers to Italian legislation 'in force in Italy' (not just at the date of the Vatican law), and Art. 1 § 2 provides that future Italian amendments are automatically received. This means the Italian Copyright Act (Law 633/1941) as amended through 2011 (including the 2003 amendments implementing EU Directive 2001/29/EC) became applicable in Vatican City. The Italian law as of 2011 contained: Art. 68 (private reproduction by photocopying limited to 15% of a volume, and free-hand reproduction for personal use); Art. 71-sexies (private copying for personal use onto any medium by a natural person, not for profit, subject to technological protection measures); Art. 70 (quotation for criticism, discussion, teaching, or scientific research within limits justified by the purpose); Art. 71-ter (on-premises consultation via dedicated terminals in libraries/archives). The most permissive exception for research remains the private/personal use exception (Art. 68 para. 1 for hand-copying of full works for personal use; Art. 71-sexies for private copying by natural persons). These are restricted to individuals acting privately, do not authorize sharing/communication, and thus remain LIGHT BLUE. Art. 70's quotation/research exception is limited to excerpts. Art. 71-ter is limited to on-premises terminal display. No general fair use, fair dealing, or open research exception exists. Classification-neutral factors were not considered.
Exceptions considered
Free reproduction by hand or by means not suitable for circulation for personal use; photocopying limited to 15% of each volume/issue, subject to fair compensation
Private copying by a natural person for personal use, not for profit, on any medium, subject to fair compensation and technological protection measures
Quotation or reproduction of excerpts of works for criticism, discussion, teaching, or scientific research, within limits justified by such purposes and not constituting economic competition
Communication or making available to individual members of the public for research or private study via dedicated terminals on the premises of libraries, archives, museums, etc.
Reproduction of articles on current economic, political, or religious topics in periodicals, unless expressly reserved
Normal use of database contents by lawful user, including extraction/re-utilization of insubstantial parts
Original text
ART. 1. § 1. Per quanto concerne la materia del diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno e dei diritti connessi, ove non diversamente previsto dalla presente legge, si osserva nello Stato della Città del Vaticano la legislazione vigente in Italia, compresi i regolamenti ivi emanati, purché essa non sia contraria ai precetti di diritto divino, né ai principi generali del diritto canonico, né alle norme dei Patti Lateranensi stipulati tra la Santa Sede e l'Italia l'11 febbraio 1929 con le successive modificazioni, né a quelle di Accordi internazionali di cui la Santa Sede è o vorrà esser parte è sempre che, in relazione allo stato di fatto è di diritto esistente nello Stato della Città del Vaticano, risulti ivi applicabile. § 2. Le eventuali modificazioni della legislazione italiana in materia di diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno e dei diritti connessi si intenderanno in futuro recepite nell'ordinamento dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, fatte salve le limitazioni di cui al paragrafo 1.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. 1. § 1. With regard to the subject matter of copyright on works of the intellect and related rights, unless otherwise provided by the present law, the legislation in force in Italy shall be observed in the State of Vatican City, including the regulations issued therein, provided that it is not contrary to the precepts of divine law, nor to the general principles of canon law, nor to the norms of the Lateran Pacts stipulated between the Holy See and Italy on 11 February 1929 with subsequent modifications, nor to those of international agreements to which the Holy See is or will be a party, and provided that, in relation to the state of fact and law existing in the State of Vatican City, it is applicable therein. § 2. Any future modifications of Italian legislation on copyright on works of the intellect and related rights shall be deemed received into the legal order of the State of Vatican City, subject to the limitations referred to in paragraph 1.
Source links
Italian Legislative Decree No. 177 of November 8, 2021 (transposing EU Directive 2019/790, received in Vatican City via Art. 1 § 2 of Vatican Law No. CXXXII/2011)
Relevant update · Effective 2021-12-12
60%
Relevant section: Art. 70-ter, Art. 70-quater (Italian Law 633/1941, as amended by D.Lgs. 177/2021)
Dates: Effective 2021-12-12 · Enacted 2021-11-08
Why this score
Italy transposed EU Directive 2019/790 (DSM Directive) via Legislative Decree No. 177/2021, which entered into force on December 12, 2021. Under Vatican Law No. CXXXII/2011, Art. 1 § 2, Italian copyright amendments are automatically received in Vatican City. The new Art. 70-ter provides a TDM exception for scientific research limited to research organisations and cultural heritage institutions (PURPLE for user restriction). Art. 70-quater provides a general TDM exception for any user but subject to rightsholder opt-out. Both TDM provisions cover reproduction and extraction but are silent on communication/sharing of results beyond storage for verification. The pre-existing Art. 68 (personal use, hand-copying of full works) remains in force and continues to be the most permissive exception for general research reproduction by any individual, yielding LIGHT BLUE. Art. 70-ter is PURPLE (institutional restriction). Art. 70-quater covers reproduction for TDM by any user but is subject to opt-out and does not clearly cover sharing — it would be BLUE at best. The overall classification remains LIGHT BLUE because Art. 68's personal-use exception for full-work reproduction by individuals remains the broadest generally applicable research exception. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, opt-out mechanism) were not factored into the color.
Exceptions considered
Free reproduction by hand or by means not suitable for circulation for personal use of full works; photocopying limited to 15% of each volume
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and extraction of lawfully accessed works; storage permitted for verification
General TDM exception for any user; reproduction and extraction of lawfully accessible works; subject to rightholder opt-out
Private copying by natural person for personal use on any medium
Quotation/reproduction of excerpts for criticism, discussion, teaching, scientific research
On-premises terminal consultation in libraries/archives for research or private study
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. 70-ter (Text and data mining for scientific research purposes): 1. Research organisations and cultural heritage institutions may carry out reproductions and extractions from works or other subject matter to which they have lawful access, for the purposes of text and data mining for scientific research purposes. 2. Copies made under paragraph 1 shall be stored with an appropriate level of security and may be retained for the purposes of scientific research, including for the verification of research results. Art. 70-quater (Text and data mining): 1. Reproductions and extractions of lawfully accessible works and other subject matter for the purposes of text and data mining shall be permitted, provided that the use of works and other subject matter has not been expressly reserved by the rightholders in an appropriate manner.
Source links
Legge N. CXXXII/2011 (incorporating Italian Law No. 633/1941 as amended through 2024)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
60%
Relevant section: Art. 1 §§ 1-2 of Vatican Law CXXXII/2011; Art. 68, 70, 70-ter, 70-quater, 71-sexies, 71-ter of Italian Law 633/1941
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, Vatican City's copyright law continues to be governed by Vatican Law No. CXXXII/2011, which automatically receives Italian copyright legislation. The Italian Copyright Act (Law 633/1941) as currently in force includes: (1) Art. 68 — personal/private use reproduction (hand-copying of full works for personal use; photocopying limited to 15%); (2) Art. 71-sexies — private copying by natural persons for personal use; (3) Art. 70 — quotation/excerpts for criticism, discussion, teaching, scientific research; (4) Art. 70-ter — TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; (5) Art. 70-quater — general TDM for any user subject to rightholder opt-out; (6) Art. 71-ter — on-premises terminal access in libraries. The most permissive exception for general research reproduction remains Art. 68's personal-use provision allowing full-work reproduction by hand for personal use. This is restricted to individuals (private/personal use), does not authorize sharing, and thus yields LIGHT BLUE. The TDM exceptions (Art. 70-ter, 70-quater) are narrower in scope: 70-ter is limited to institutions (PURPLE), and 70-quater covers reproduction/extraction for any user but is subject to opt-out and does not clearly cover communication (BLUE). Neither exceeds the LIGHT BLUE classification of Art. 68 for general research purposes. No general fair use or fair dealing clause exists in Italian/Vatican law. Classification-neutral factors were not considered in the color assignment.
Exceptions considered
Free reproduction by hand or by means not suitable for circulation for personal use of full works; photocopying limited to 15% of each volume/issue
TDM for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions; reproduction and extraction permitted
General TDM exception for any user; reproduction and extraction of lawfully accessible works; subject to rightholder opt-out
Private copying by natural person for personal use on any medium, not for profit
Quotation/reproduction of excerpts for criticism, discussion, teaching, or scientific research within limits justified by the purpose
On-premises terminal consultation in libraries, archives, museums for research or private study
Reproduction of articles on current economic, political, or religious topics in periodicals, unless expressly reserved
Original text
ART. 1. § 1. Per quanto concerne la materia del diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno e dei diritti connessi, ove non diversamente previsto dalla presente legge, si osserva nello Stato della Città del Vaticano la legislazione vigente in Italia, compresi i regolamenti ivi emanati, purché essa non sia contraria ai precetti di diritto divino, né ai principi generali del diritto canonico, né alle norme dei Patti Lateranensi stipulati tra la Santa Sede e l'Italia l'11 febbraio 1929 con le successive modificazioni, né a quelle di Accordi internazionali di cui la Santa Sede è o vorrà esser parte è sempre che, in relazione allo stato di fatto è di diritto esistente nello Stato della Città del Vaticano, risulti ivi applicabile. § 2. Le eventuali modificazioni della legislazione italiana in materia di diritto di autore sulle opere dell'ingegno e dei diritti connessi si intenderanno in futuro recepite nell'ordinamento dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, fatte salve le limitazioni di cui al paragrafo 1.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. 1. § 1. With regard to the subject matter of copyright on works of the intellect and related rights, unless otherwise provided by the present law, the legislation in force in Italy shall be observed in the State of Vatican City, including the regulations issued therein, provided that it is not contrary to the precepts of divine law, nor to the general principles of canon law, nor to the norms of the Lateran Pacts stipulated between the Holy See and Italy on 11 February 1929 with subsequent modifications, nor to those of international agreements to which the Holy See is or will be a party, and provided that, in relation to the state of fact and law existing in the State of Vatican City, it is applicable therein. § 2. Any future modifications of Italian legislation on copyright on works of the intellect and related rights shall be deemed received into the legal order of the State of Vatican City, subject to the limitations referred to in paragraph 1.