Selected year snapshot
For 2024, the active event in this file is Ordonnance n° 2021-580 du 12 mai 2021 portant transposition de la directive (UE) 2019/790 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 17 avril 2019 sur le droit d'auteur et les droits voisins dans le marché unique numérique.
20%
Current rationale
The 2021 Ordonnance transposed the EU DSM Directive (2019/790) into French law, replacing the former L122-5 10° with new Articles L122-5-3. Article L122-5-3 I creates a general TDM exception for any person and any purpose (subject to opt-out by the rightsholder). Article L122-5-3 II creates a mandatory (non-overridable) TDM exception for research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research. Assessing L122-5-3 I: it covers reproduction for TDM by any user, for any purpose, from a lawful source, for all types of works. However, it only covers 'copies or reproductions' (reproduction right), not communication/sharing/making available. The opt-out mechanism does not change the color classification. This would be BLUE individually (reproduction of full works, all users, all works, but no sharing). Assessing L122-5-3 II: it covers reproduction for TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions only, for scientific research, with storage/retention permitted. This is PURPLE individually (institutional restriction). The pre-existing private-use exception (L122-5 2°) remains in force but still excludes software and electronic databases (ORANGE). Now comparing: L122-5-3 I is BLUE (reproduction, all works, all users, no sharing). L122-5 2° is ORANGE (reproduction, excludes software/databases, private users only). L122-5-3 I is more permissive than L122-5 2° because it covers all works including software and databases. However, L122-5-3 I only covers reproduction for TDM purposes specifically, not general research copying. For general research copying (not TDM), the most permissive exception remains L122-5 2° (ORANGE). For TDM specifically, L122-5-3 I is BLUE. The overall classification should reflect the most permissive exception available for any research use. For TDM research, L122-5-3 I (BLUE) is available. For non-TDM research copying, L122-5 2° (ORANGE) applies. The most permissive exception across all research uses is L122-5-3 I at BLUE. However, L122-5-3 I is subject to rightsholder opt-out, which means it may not always be available. L122-5-3 II (no opt-out, but institutional only) is PURPLE. Considering the opt-out as a structural feature of the exception (not a classification-neutral factor), the general TDM exception may be defeated by opt-out. Nevertheless, on the face of the statute, the exception exists and permits reproduction. The opt-out is analogous to a proportionality qualifier. On balance, L122-5-3 I provides BLUE-level access for TDM. But for non-TDM research, the ceiling remains ORANGE (L122-5 2°). Since the prompt asks for the most permissive exception that could apply to a research use, and TDM is a research use, the overall color is BLUE. However, re-examining: L122-5 2° excludes software and electronic databases but covers all other works for private copying for any purpose including research. L122-5-3 I covers all works but only for TDM. Neither exception alone covers all research uses for all works with sharing. The most permissive single exception for research is L122-5-3 I (BLUE for TDM). Overall classification: BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier. Excludes software and electronic databases.
Analyses and short quotations for critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational purposes.
Representation or reproduction of extracts of works for illustration in teaching and research.
Digital copies/reproductions from lawful source for TDM by any person, any purpose, subject to rightsholder opt-out. Covers all works. Reproduction only, no sharing.
Digital copies/reproductions for TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research. Mandatory (no opt-out). Storage permitted.
Law changes
Loi n° 57-298 du 11 mars 1957 sur la propriété littéraire et artistique
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
60%
Relevant section: Article 41
Dates: Effective 1990-01-01 · Enacted 1957-03-11
Why this score
Réunion is a French overseas département and région (DROM), and French law applies directly. The copyright law in force on 1990-01-01 was the Loi n° 57-298 du 11 mars 1957 sur la propriété littéraire et artistique, as amended by the Loi n° 85-660 du 3 juillet 1985. Article 41(2) provides a private-use copying exception ('copies ou reproductions strictement réservées à l'usage privé du copiste') covering reproduction of full works by any individual for private use, which encompasses private study and research. However, it is restricted to 'private use of the copier' (individual user restriction) and does not authorize sharing or communication. Article 41(3)(a) permits only 'analyses and short quotations' — not full-work reproduction — so it is RED on its own. The most permissive exception for research purposes is the private-use copy exception (Article 41(2)), which permits full-work reproduction but only for private/personal use. This maps to LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restriction and copy limits are classification-neutral factors and were not considered in the color assignment.
Exceptions considered
Copies or reproductions strictly reserved for the private use of the copier, not intended for collective use. Permits full-work reproduction for private purposes including private study/research.
Analyses and short quotations justified by critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational character. Limited to short quotations, not full works.
Original text
Lorsque l'œuvre a été divulguée, l'auteur ne peut interdire : 1° Les représentations privées et gratuites effectuées exclusivement dans un cercle de famille ; 2° Les copies ou reproductions strictement réservées à l'usage privé du copiste et non destinées à une utilisation collective, à l'exception des copies des œuvres d'art destinées à être utilisées pour des fins identiques à celles pour lesquelles l'œuvre originale a été créée ; 3° Sous réserve que soient indiqués clairement le nom de l'auteur et la source : a) Les analyses et courtes citations justifiées par le caractère critique, polémique, pédagogique, scientifique ou d'information de l'œuvre à laquelle elles sont incorporées ;
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: When the work has been disclosed, the author may not prohibit: 1° Private and gratuitous performances made exclusively within a family circle; 2° Copies or reproductions strictly reserved for the private use of the copier and not intended for collective use, except for copies of works of art intended to be used for the same purposes as those for which the original work was created; 3° Provided that the name of the author and the source are clearly indicated: (a) Analyses and short quotations justified by the critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational character of the work into which they are incorporated;
Source links
Loi n° 92-597 du 1er juillet 1992 relative au code de la propriété intellectuelle (partie législative)
Relevant update · Effective 1992-07-01
20%
Relevant section: Articles L122-5 1° and L122-5 2° and L122-5 3°(a)
Dates: Effective 1992-07-01 · Enacted 1992-07-01
Why this score
The 1992 codification consolidated French IP law into the Code de la propriété intellectuelle. Article L122-5 2° carries forward the private-use copying exception but now explicitly excludes software and electronic databases from its scope. This means full-work reproduction for private use/research is available for most categories of works but NOT for software or electronic databases. Since the exception permits full-work reproduction for at least some types of works but excludes specific categories, this maps to ORANGE. Article L122-5 3°(a) remains limited to short quotations (RED individually). The most permissive exception is L122-5 2°, which is ORANGE due to the work-type exclusions. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial, copy limits, remuneration) were not considered.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier, not for collective use. Excludes software (only backup copy allowed) and electronic databases. Permits full-work reproduction for remaining work types.
Analyses and short quotations justified by critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational character. Limited to short quotations.
Original text
Lorsque l'oeuvre a été divulguée, l'auteur ne peut interdire : 1° Les représentations privées et gratuites effectuées exclusivement dans un cercle de famille ; 2° Les copies ou reproductions strictement réservées à l'usage privé du copiste et non destinées à une utilisation collective, à l'exception des copies des oeuvres d'art destinées à être utilisées pour des fins identiques à celles pour lesquelles l'oeuvre originale a été créée et à l'exception également des logiciels où seule la copie de sauvegarde est autorisée dans les conditions prévues au II de l'article L. 122-6-1 ainsi que des bases de données électroniques ; 3° Sous réserve que soient indiqués clairement le nom de l'auteur et la source : a) Les analyses et courtes citations justifiées par le caractère critique, polémique, pédagogique, scientifique ou d'information de l'oeuvre à laquelle elles sont incorporées ;
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: When the work has been disclosed, the author may not prohibit: 1° Private and gratuitous performances made exclusively within a family circle; 2° Copies or reproductions strictly reserved for the private use of the copier and not intended for collective use, except for copies of works of art intended to be used for the same purposes as those for which the original work was created, and also except for software where only the backup copy is authorized under the conditions provided in Article L. 122-6-1(II), as well as electronic databases; 3° Provided that the name of the author and the source are clearly indicated: (a) Analyses and short quotations justified by the critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational character of the work into which they are incorporated;
Source links
Loi n° 2006-961 du 1er août 2006 relative au droit d'auteur et aux droits voisins dans la société de l'information (loi DADVSI)
Relevant update · Effective 2006-08-03
20%
Relevant section: Articles L122-5 3°(e), L122-5 8°
Dates: Effective 2006-08-03 · Enacted 2006-08-01
Why this score
The DADVSI law (transposing EU Directive 2001/29/EC) added Article L122-5 3°(e), a teaching and research exception. However, this exception is limited to 'extracts of works' (not full works) and excludes works designed for pedagogical purposes and musical scores. It also restricts the audience to those directly concerned by the teaching/research activity. Individually this is RED (extracts only). The private-use exception at L122-5 2° remains in force, still excluding software and electronic databases, so it remains ORANGE individually. The overall classification remains ORANGE because the most permissive exception for research (L122-5 2°) permits full-work reproduction for most work types but excludes software and electronic databases. The new teaching/research exception does not improve the overall classification because it is limited to extracts. Classification-neutral factors were not considered.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier. Excludes software and electronic databases. Permits full-work reproduction for remaining work types.
Analyses and short quotations for critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational purposes. Limited to short quotations.
Representation or reproduction of extracts of works for illustration in teaching and research. Excludes works designed for pedagogical purposes and musical scores. Limited to extracts, restricted audience.
Original text
3° Sous réserve que soient indiqués clairement le nom de l'auteur et la source : ... e) La représentation ou la reproduction d'extraits d'oeuvres, sous réserve des oeuvres conçues à des fins pédagogiques et des partitions de musique, à des fins exclusives d'illustration dans le cadre de l'enseignement et de la recherche, y compris pour l'élaboration et la diffusion de sujets d'examens ou de concours organisés dans la prolongation des enseignements à l'exclusion de toute activité ludique ou récréative, dès lors que cette représentation ou cette reproduction est destinée, notamment au moyen d'un espace numérique de travail, à un public composé majoritairement d'élèves, d'étudiants, d'enseignants ou de chercheurs directement concernés par l'acte d'enseignement, de formation ou l'activité de recherche nécessitant cette représentation ou cette reproduction, qu'elle ne fait l'objet d'aucune publication ou diffusion à un tiers au public ainsi constitué, que l'utilisation de cette représentation ou cette reproduction ne donne lieu à aucune exploitation commerciale et qu'elle est compensée par une rémunération négociée sur une base forfaitaire sans préjudice de la cession du droit de reproduction par reprographie mentionnée à l'article L. 122-10 ;
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: 3° Provided that the name of the author and the source are clearly indicated: ... (e) The representation or reproduction of extracts of works, with the exception of works designed for pedagogical purposes and musical scores, for the exclusive purpose of illustration in the context of teaching and research, including for the preparation and dissemination of examination or competition subjects organized as an extension of teaching, to the exclusion of any recreational activity, provided that such representation or reproduction is intended, notably by means of a digital workspace, for an audience composed mainly of pupils, students, teachers or researchers directly concerned by the act of teaching, training or research activity requiring such representation or reproduction, that it is not published or disseminated to any third party beyond the audience so constituted, that the use does not give rise to any commercial exploitation, and that it is compensated by remuneration negotiated on a flat-rate basis, without prejudice to the assignment of the reprographic reproduction right mentioned in Article L. 122-10;
Source links
Loi n° 2016-1321 du 7 octobre 2016 pour une République numérique
Relevant update · Effective 2016-10-08
20%
Relevant section: Article L122-5 10° (TDM exception)
Dates: Effective 2016-10-08 · Enacted 2016-10-07
Why this score
The Loi pour une République numérique added Article L122-5 10°, France's first TDM-specific exception. This exception permits digital reproduction for TDM of scientific writings for public research purposes. It is limited to: (a) scientific writings only (not all works), (b) public research only (institutional restriction), (c) non-commercial purposes, and (d) communication of resulting files only for verification of research results. Individually, this TDM exception is narrow — it covers only scientific writings (work restriction) and only public research entities (user restriction). The most restrictive element is the work-type limitation (scientific writings only), making it ORANGE individually. However, the pre-existing private-use exception (L122-5 2°) remains in force and is also ORANGE (excludes software and electronic databases). The overall classification remains ORANGE. The TDM exception does not improve the overall classification beyond ORANGE because it is limited to scientific writings. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, remuneration) were not considered in the color assignment.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier. Excludes software and electronic databases. Permits full-work reproduction for remaining work types.
Analyses and short quotations for critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational purposes.
Representation or reproduction of extracts of works for illustration in teaching and research.
Digital copies for TDM of scientific writings for public research, non-commercial. Communication of files only for verification of results.
Original text
10° Les copies ou reproductions numériques réalisées à partir d'une source licite, en vue de l'exploration de textes et de données incluses ou associées aux écrits scientifiques pour les besoins de la recherche publique, à l'exclusion de toute finalité commerciale. Un décret fixe les conditions dans lesquelles l'exploration des textes et des données est mise en œuvre, ainsi que les modalités de conservation et de communication des fichiers produits au terme des activités de recherche pour lesquelles elles ont été produites ; les fichiers produits dans le cadre de ces activités de recherche ne peuvent être communiqués qu'aux seules fins de vérification des résultats de la recherche ;
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: 10° Digital copies or reproductions made from a lawful source, for the purpose of text and data mining included in or associated with scientific writings, for the needs of public research, excluding any commercial purpose. A decree shall set the conditions under which text and data mining is implemented, as well as the terms for the preservation and communication of files produced at the end of the research activities for which they were produced; files produced in the context of these research activities may only be communicated for the sole purpose of verifying research results;
Source links
Ordonnance n° 2021-580 du 12 mai 2021 portant transposition de la directive (UE) 2019/790 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 17 avril 2019 sur le droit d'auteur et les droits voisins dans le marché unique numérique
Relevant update · Effective 2021-05-14
20%
Relevant section: Articles L122-5-3 (TDM for research), L122-5-3 I and II
Dates: Effective 2021-05-14 · Enacted 2021-05-12
Why this score
The 2021 Ordonnance transposed the EU DSM Directive (2019/790) into French law, replacing the former L122-5 10° with new Articles L122-5-3. Article L122-5-3 I creates a general TDM exception for any person and any purpose (subject to opt-out by the rightsholder). Article L122-5-3 II creates a mandatory (non-overridable) TDM exception for research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research. Assessing L122-5-3 I: it covers reproduction for TDM by any user, for any purpose, from a lawful source, for all types of works. However, it only covers 'copies or reproductions' (reproduction right), not communication/sharing/making available. The opt-out mechanism does not change the color classification. This would be BLUE individually (reproduction of full works, all users, all works, but no sharing). Assessing L122-5-3 II: it covers reproduction for TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions only, for scientific research, with storage/retention permitted. This is PURPLE individually (institutional restriction). The pre-existing private-use exception (L122-5 2°) remains in force but still excludes software and electronic databases (ORANGE). Now comparing: L122-5-3 I is BLUE (reproduction, all works, all users, no sharing). L122-5 2° is ORANGE (reproduction, excludes software/databases, private users only). L122-5-3 I is more permissive than L122-5 2° because it covers all works including software and databases. However, L122-5-3 I only covers reproduction for TDM purposes specifically, not general research copying. For general research copying (not TDM), the most permissive exception remains L122-5 2° (ORANGE). For TDM specifically, L122-5-3 I is BLUE. The overall classification should reflect the most permissive exception available for any research use. For TDM research, L122-5-3 I (BLUE) is available. For non-TDM research copying, L122-5 2° (ORANGE) applies. The most permissive exception across all research uses is L122-5-3 I at BLUE. However, L122-5-3 I is subject to rightsholder opt-out, which means it may not always be available. L122-5-3 II (no opt-out, but institutional only) is PURPLE. Considering the opt-out as a structural feature of the exception (not a classification-neutral factor), the general TDM exception may be defeated by opt-out. Nevertheless, on the face of the statute, the exception exists and permits reproduction. The opt-out is analogous to a proportionality qualifier. On balance, L122-5-3 I provides BLUE-level access for TDM. But for non-TDM research, the ceiling remains ORANGE (L122-5 2°). Since the prompt asks for the most permissive exception that could apply to a research use, and TDM is a research use, the overall color is BLUE. However, re-examining: L122-5 2° excludes software and electronic databases but covers all other works for private copying for any purpose including research. L122-5-3 I covers all works but only for TDM. Neither exception alone covers all research uses for all works with sharing. The most permissive single exception for research is L122-5-3 I (BLUE for TDM). Overall classification: BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier. Excludes software and electronic databases.
Analyses and short quotations for critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational purposes.
Representation or reproduction of extracts of works for illustration in teaching and research.
Digital copies/reproductions from lawful source for TDM by any person, any purpose, subject to rightsholder opt-out. Covers all works. Reproduction only, no sharing.
Digital copies/reproductions for TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research. Mandatory (no opt-out). Storage permitted.
Original text
Art. L. 122-5-3. – I. – Les copies ou reproductions numériques réalisées à partir d'une source licite sont autorisées en vue de fouilles de textes et de données menées par toute personne, quelle que soit la finalité de la fouille, sauf si l'auteur s'y est opposé de manière appropriée, notamment par des procédés lisibles par machine pour les exploitations en ligne. II. – Les copies ou reproductions numériques d'œuvres auxquelles il est accédé de manière licite sont autorisées en vue de fouilles de textes et de données menées par des organismes de recherche et par les institutions du patrimoine culturel pour les besoins de la recherche scientifique. Les copies ou reproductions numériques d'œuvres réalisées en application du présent II sont stockées avec un niveau de sécurité approprié et peuvent être conservées à des fins de recherche scientifique, y compris pour la vérification des résultats de la recherche.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. L. 122-5-3. – I. – Digital copies or reproductions made from a lawful source are authorized for the purpose of text and data mining carried out by any person, regardless of the purpose of the mining, unless the author has opposed it in an appropriate manner, notably by machine-readable means for online exploitations. II. – Digital copies or reproductions of works to which access has been lawfully obtained are authorized for the purpose of text and data mining carried out by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for the needs of scientific research. Digital copies or reproductions of works made pursuant to this II are stored with an appropriate level of security and may be retained for the purposes of scientific research, including for the verification of research results.
Source links
Code de la propriété intellectuelle (version consolidée en vigueur en 2025)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
80%
Relevant section: Articles L122-5 2°, L122-5 3°(a), L122-5 3°(e), L122-5-3 I, L122-5-3 II
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, French copyright law (applicable in Réunion as a French DROM) provides the following research-relevant exceptions: (1) L122-5 2° — private-use copying of full works, excluding software and electronic databases (ORANGE individually); (2) L122-5 3°(a) — short quotations for scientific/informational purposes (RED individually); (3) L122-5 3°(e) — extracts for teaching and research illustration (RED individually); (4) L122-5-3 I — TDM by any person, any purpose, all works, reproduction only, subject to opt-out (BLUE individually); (5) L122-5-3 II — TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research, mandatory, reproduction and storage (PURPLE individually). The most permissive exception is L122-5-3 I, which permits reproduction of full works of all types by any user for TDM purposes. It does not authorize sharing/communication. This maps to BLUE. The opt-out mechanism does not eliminate the exception from the statute. Non-commercial restrictions and remuneration are classification-neutral. No subsequent amendments affecting these provisions have been identified through 2025.
Exceptions considered
Private-use copying: copies strictly reserved for private use of the copier. Excludes software and electronic databases. Permits full-work reproduction for remaining work types.
Analyses and short quotations for critical, polemical, pedagogical, scientific or informational purposes.
Representation or reproduction of extracts of works for illustration in teaching and research. Excludes works designed for pedagogical purposes and musical scores.
Digital copies/reproductions from lawful source for TDM by any person, any purpose, subject to rightsholder opt-out. Covers all works. Reproduction only.
Digital copies/reproductions for TDM by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for scientific research. Mandatory (no opt-out). Storage and retention permitted.
Original text
Art. L. 122-5-3. – I. – Les copies ou reproductions numériques réalisées à partir d'une source licite sont autorisées en vue de fouilles de textes et de données menées par toute personne, quelle que soit la finalité de la fouille, sauf si l'auteur s'y est opposé de manière appropriée, notamment par des procédés lisibles par machine pour les exploitations en ligne. II. – Les copies ou reproductions numériques d'œuvres auxquelles il est accédé de manière licite sont autorisées en vue de fouilles de textes et de données menées par des organismes de recherche et par les institutions du patrimoine culturel pour les besoins de la recherche scientifique. Les copies ou reproductions numériques d'œuvres réalisées en application du présent II sont stockées avec un niveau de sécurité approprié et peuvent être conservées à des fins de recherche scientifique, y compris pour la vérification des résultats de la recherche.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Art. L. 122-5-3. – I. – Digital copies or reproductions made from a lawful source are authorized for the purpose of text and data mining carried out by any person, regardless of the purpose of the mining, unless the author has opposed it in an appropriate manner, notably by machine-readable means for online exploitations. II. – Digital copies or reproductions of works to which access has been lawfully obtained are authorized for the purpose of text and data mining carried out by research organizations and cultural heritage institutions for the needs of scientific research. Digital copies or reproductions of works made pursuant to this II are stored with an appropriate level of security and may be retained for the purposes of scientific research, including for the verification of research results.