Selected year snapshot
For 1999, the active event in this file is Presidential Law Decree No. 19 for the Year 1994 in respect of Intellectual Property.
100%
Current rationale
The 1994 IP Law contains multiple research-relevant exceptions. Article 16(3) permits reproduction of a published work for personal use of the copier (LIGHT BLUE individually). Article 17 permits libraries, documentation centers, scientific institutions and educational establishments to make a single copy of a work by photographic reproduction (PURPLE individually). Article 16(1) permits quoting passages for illustration, education or criticism within fair practice (RED individually — limited to passages/quotations). Article 16(2) permits using the work as illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting or recordings to the extent justified by the purpose — this is broad, covering multiple exclusive rights (reproduction, broadcasting, recording) for educational purposes including scientific education, open to any user, and the term 'using the work' is not limited to excerpts. This provision covers uses (reproduction and communication), works (any published work), and users (any person using for educational purposes). Since scientific research and education overlap significantly and the provision covers both reproduction and communication/broadcasting, this is the most permissive exception and maps to GREEN. Non-commercial restriction (educational purpose) is classification-neutral. The 'extent justified by the purpose' qualifier is a proportionality qualifier, also classification-neutral. Note: The baseline is set at the 1994 law's effective date because no copyright statute specific to the unified Republic of Yemen was verified as being in force on 1990-01-01. Before unification in May 1990, North Yemen (YAR) and South Yemen (PDRY) had separate legal systems. The 1994 law is the earliest verified copyright statute of the Republic of Yemen.
Exceptions considered
Quoting passages from a published work for illustration, education or criticism within fair practice and to the extent justified by the purpose
Using the work as illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose
Reproducing a published work for personal use of the copier provided it does not prejudice the legitimate interests of the author
Libraries, documentation centers, scientific institutions and educational establishments (non-profit) may make a single photographic copy of the work without author authorization
Publication of short passages from published works for criticism, discussion or information within fair practice
Law changes
Presidential Law Decree No. 19 for the Year 1994 in respect of Intellectual Property
Baseline · Effective 1994-10-31
100%
Relevant section: Articles 16, 17, 18
Dates: Effective 1994-10-31 · Enacted 1994-10-31
Why this score
The 1994 IP Law contains multiple research-relevant exceptions. Article 16(3) permits reproduction of a published work for personal use of the copier (LIGHT BLUE individually). Article 17 permits libraries, documentation centers, scientific institutions and educational establishments to make a single copy of a work by photographic reproduction (PURPLE individually). Article 16(1) permits quoting passages for illustration, education or criticism within fair practice (RED individually — limited to passages/quotations). Article 16(2) permits using the work as illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting or recordings to the extent justified by the purpose — this is broad, covering multiple exclusive rights (reproduction, broadcasting, recording) for educational purposes including scientific education, open to any user, and the term 'using the work' is not limited to excerpts. This provision covers uses (reproduction and communication), works (any published work), and users (any person using for educational purposes). Since scientific research and education overlap significantly and the provision covers both reproduction and communication/broadcasting, this is the most permissive exception and maps to GREEN. Non-commercial restriction (educational purpose) is classification-neutral. The 'extent justified by the purpose' qualifier is a proportionality qualifier, also classification-neutral. Note: The baseline is set at the 1994 law's effective date because no copyright statute specific to the unified Republic of Yemen was verified as being in force on 1990-01-01. Before unification in May 1990, North Yemen (YAR) and South Yemen (PDRY) had separate legal systems. The 1994 law is the earliest verified copyright statute of the Republic of Yemen.
Exceptions considered
Quoting passages from a published work for illustration, education or criticism within fair practice and to the extent justified by the purpose
Using the work as illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose
Reproducing a published work for personal use of the copier provided it does not prejudice the legitimate interests of the author
Libraries, documentation centers, scientific institutions and educational establishments (non-profit) may make a single photographic copy of the work without author authorization
Publication of short passages from published works for criticism, discussion or information within fair practice
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 16: The author may not prevent others from performing the following acts: 1. Quoting passages from a published work of another author for the purpose of illustration, education or criticism within the limits of fair practice and to the extent justified by the purpose. 2. Using the work as an illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose. 3. Reproducing a published work for personal use of the copier provided that such reproduction does not prejudice the legitimate interests of the author. Article 17: Libraries, documentation centers, scientific institutions and educational establishments which are non-profit making may, without the authorization of the author, make a single copy of the work by means of photographic reproduction or the like. Article 18: The publication of short passages from published works for the purpose of criticism, discussion or information shall be permissible within the limits of fair practice.
Source links
Law No. 15 of 2012 on the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights
Relevant update · Effective 2012-06-01
60%
Relevant section: Articles 24, 25, 26, 27
Dates: Effective 2012-06-01 · Enacted 2012-01-01
Why this score
The 2012 law replaced the 1994 IP Law's copyright provisions. Evaluating all exceptions: Article 24(1) permits quotation — limited to passages/quotations (RED). Article 24(2) permits using the work for illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting, or recordings — this is similar to the 1994 provision but the key question is whether 'illustration for educational purposes' covers research. The 2012 draft text available via WTO uses 'illustration for educational purposes' which is narrower than general research use; however, it does cover communication rights and is open to any user. Article 24(3) permits making a single copy for exclusive personal use of the copier — this is private use, restricted to individuals (LIGHT BLUE). Article 25 permits non-profit libraries, documentation centers, educational and scientific institutions to make a single photographic copy, but now explicitly limits this to 'a published article, a short work, or a short passage of a work' for study or research needs of a natural person — this is an institutional exception limited to short works/passages for research (combines PURPLE user restriction with ORANGE/RED work-quantity restriction). Article 26 permits reproduction for judicial/administrative proceedings. Article 27 permits reproduction of works seen/heard during events for informatory purposes. For research specifically: Article 25 is the only provision explicitly mentioning 'research' but it is limited to institutions AND limited to articles/short works/short passages — the most restrictive element is the work-quantity limitation (short passages of longer works), making it RED on its own for full-work reproduction of books. Article 24(2) covers educational illustration but not explicitly research. Article 24(3) — personal use — is the most permissive general exception available to a researcher: it permits making a single copy of 'the work' (full work implied) for exclusive personal use, covering all works, but limited to individuals and to reproduction only. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. The 2012 law is more restrictive than the 1994 law because Article 25 now explicitly limits library/institutional copying for research to articles, short works, or short passages, whereas the 1994 Article 17 had no such limitation. Article 24(2) for educational illustration remains but is not explicitly a research exception. The most permissive exception for a researcher is Article 24(3) — personal use reproduction of full works — yielding LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Quoting passages from a published work in another work for criticism, discussion, or information, compatible with fair practice
Using the work for illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting programs, or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose
Making a single copy of the work for the exclusive personal use of the copier, provided it does not prejudice legitimate interests of the author
Non-profit libraries, documentation centers, educational and scientific institutions may make a single photographic copy of a published article, short work, or short passage for study or research needs of a natural person
Non-profit libraries etc. may reproduce to preserve original or replace lost/destroyed copy when replacement not obtainable under reasonable conditions
Reproduction of a published work for use in judicial or administrative proceedings
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article (24): Without prejudice to the moral rights of the author stipulated in this law, the author may not prevent others from performing the following acts: 1- Quoting from a published work passages in another work provided that the quotation is compatible with fair practice and within the limits justified by the purpose whether the quotation is for criticism, discussion, or information. 2- Using the work for illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting programs, or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose. 3- Making a single copy of the work for the exclusive personal use of the copier on condition that such copy does not prejudice the legitimate interests of the author or the owners of the related rights. Article (25): Non-profit libraries, documentation centers, educational and scientific institutions may without the authorization of the author make a single copy of the work by means of photographic reproduction or the like in the following cases: a- If the reproduced work is a published article, a short work, or a short passage of a work and the purpose of reproduction is to meet the needs of a natural person for use in study or research on condition that such copy is made once or at different times. b- If the purpose of reproduction is to preserve the original copy or to replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged copy and it was not possible to obtain a replacement under reasonable conditions. Article (26): It shall be permissible to reproduce a published work by a governmental body or by a natural or artificial person residing in the Republic for use in judicial or administrative proceedings to the extent justified by the purpose. Article (27): It shall be permissible to reproduce any work that can be seen or heard during the course of an event by means of photography, broadcasting, or communication to the public by wire to the extent justified by the informatory purpose.
Source links
Law No. 15 of 2012 on the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-03-08
60%
Relevant section: Articles 24, 25, 26, 27
Dates: Effective 2025-03-08
Why this score
As of 2025, Law No. 15 of 2012 remains the copyright law in force in Yemen. No subsequent amendments affecting copyright exceptions and limitations were identified via web search. The ongoing conflict in Yemen since 2014 has likely prevented legislative updates. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE based on the same analysis as the 2012 event: Article 24(3) (personal use — single copy of the work for exclusive personal use) is the most permissive exception clearly applicable to research, permitting full-work reproduction but limited to individuals and to reproduction only. Article 25(a) explicitly covers research but is limited to institutions and to articles/short works/short passages. Article 24(2) covers educational illustration broadly but is not clearly a general research exception. No TDM exception exists. Uses: reproduction only (Art. 24(3)). Works: all works (Art. 24(3)). Users: individuals only — 'exclusive personal use of the copier' (Art. 24(3)). No sharing permitted. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Classification-neutral factors (single copy limit, non-prejudice to legitimate interests) were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Quoting passages from a published work for criticism, discussion, or information within fair practice
Using the work for illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting, or recordings to the extent justified by the purpose
Making a single copy of the work for the exclusive personal use of the copier, not prejudicing legitimate interests
Non-profit libraries, documentation centers, educational and scientific institutions may make a single photographic copy of a published article, short work, or short passage for study or research needs of a natural person
Non-profit libraries etc. may reproduce to preserve original or replace lost/destroyed/damaged copy
Reproduction of a published work for judicial or administrative proceedings
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article (24): Without prejudice to the moral rights of the author stipulated in this law, the author may not prevent others from performing the following acts: 1- Quoting from a published work passages in another work provided that the quotation is compatible with fair practice and within the limits justified by the purpose whether the quotation is for criticism, discussion, or information. 2- Using the work for illustration for educational purposes in publications, broadcasting programs, or sound and visual recordings to the extent justified by the purpose. 3- Making a single copy of the work for the exclusive personal use of the copier on condition that such copy does not prejudice the legitimate interests of the author or the owners of the related rights. Article (25): Non-profit libraries, documentation centers, educational and scientific institutions may without the authorization of the author make a single copy of the work by means of photographic reproduction or the like in the following cases: a- If the reproduced work is a published article, a short work, or a short passage of a work and the purpose of reproduction is to meet the needs of a natural person for use in study or research on condition that such copy is made once or at different times. b- If the purpose of reproduction is to preserve the original copy or to replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged copy and it was not possible to obtain a replacement under reasonable conditions.