Selected year snapshot
For 2025, the active event in this file is Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights.
60%
Current rationale
As of 2025, Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 remains the active copyright law in the UAE, as confirmed by the UAE Legislation portal (legislation state: Active, last update 20 Sep 2021) and the Lexis Middle East 2025 copyright guide. The law's exceptions framework includes: (1) a personal/private use exception permitting a single copy of a work for exclusively personal use (the most permissive exception, covering full works but restricted to individual private use — LIGHT BLUE); (2) library/institutional exceptions limited to articles, short works, or short excerpts for research (RED); (3) quotation exceptions limited to excerpts (RED); (4) educational exceptions within reasonable limits (RED); and (5) accessible format copies under Art. 23 (PURPLE, limited to disability access). No general fair use or fair dealing clause exists. No TDM-specific exception exists. No exception permits sharing/communication of research copies. The personal/private use exception is the most permissive, yielding LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restrictions and single-copy limits are classification-neutral and were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Single copy of a work for exclusively personal use, not hampering normal exploitation
Library/institutional reproduction of articles, short works, or short excerpts for study or research
Quotation from works for criticism, discussion, information
Use for educational illustration within reasonable limits
Accessible format copy for persons with disabilities
Law changes
Federal Law No. 40 of 1992 for the Protection of Intellectual Works and Copyright
Baseline · Effective 1992-07-01
60%
Relevant section: Articles 7, 8, 9
Dates: Effective 1992-07-01 · Enacted 1992-07-01
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception is Article 7(1), which permits 'a single copy of the work for the exclusively personal use of the performer' — this covers full works but is restricted to personal use only (individual, not institutional or collaborative). Article 8(1) permits reproduction of 'a short work or short excerpts' for personal use — this is narrower on works (short works/excerpts only). Article 9(1)(a) is an institutional (library) exception but limited to 'a published article, a short work, or short excerpts of a written work' — not full books or all work types. Article 7(1) is the most permissive because it covers a full single copy of any work, but it is restricted to 'exclusively personal use,' which limits the user class to individuals acting privately. No broader fair dealing or fair use clause exists. No sharing/communication right is granted. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral. Classification: LIGHT BLUE because the broadest exception (Art. 7(1)) permits full-work reproduction but only for personal/private use.
Exceptions considered
Single copy of the work for exclusively personal use of the performer, provided it does not hamper normal exploitation
Analysis and quoting excerpts for criticism, discussion or information, in accordance with fair and common practice
Quoting from the work for clarification in educational publications, within reasonable limits
Reproduction of a short work or short excerpts for personal use, subject to three-step test
Libraries, documentation centres, scientific and educational institutions may make a single photographic copy of a published article, short work, or short excerpts (excluding computer programs) for study or research of a natural person
Original text
ARTICLE (7) The author may not, after the publication of the work, prevent third parties from performing any of the following acts: 1- Performing a single copy of the work for the exclusively personal use of the performer, provided that such copy shall not hamper with the normal exploitation of the work. ... 2- Making an analysis of the work and quoting excerpts therefrom, provided that this shall be in accordance with the fair and common practice and to the extent justified by such purpose, including excerpts from the work in a publication, a broadcast, or a sound or visual recording for the purpose of criticism, discussion or information. 3- Quoting from the work for the purpose of clarification in educational publications, broadcasting programmes, or sound or visual recordings, provided that such quoting shall be within the reasonable limits and shall not exceed the purpose thereof. ... ARTICLE (8) The following shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without paying any consideration: 1- Reproduction of a short work or short excerpts of a work for the purpose of personal use, provided that the reproduction shall not hamper with the normal exploitation of the work and shall not cause an unjustified prejudice to the legal interests of the author. 2- Reproduction of a short work or short excerpts of a work for the purpose of clarification in educational publications, broadcasting programmes, or sound or visual recordings, provided that such reproduction shall be within the reasonable limits and shall not exceed the purpose thereof. 3- Reproduction of articles on current economic, political or religious topics, unless the author has expressly prohibited such reproduction. ... ARTICLE (9) The following shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without paying any consideration: 1- Libraries, documentation centres, scientific institutions and educational institutions which are non-profit making, may make a single copy of the work by means of photography or the like: a- If the reproduced material is a published article, a short work, or short excerpts of a written work, other than computer programmes, for the purpose of satisfying the request of a natural person for use in study or research, provided that such copy shall be made once or at intervals. b- If the reproduction is made for the purpose of preserving the original copy, or for replacing a lost, destroyed or damaged copy which cannot be obtained within a reasonable time.
English rendering
ARTICLE (7) The author may not, after the publication of the work, prevent third parties from performing any of the following acts: 1- Performing a single copy of the work for the exclusively personal use of the performer, provided that such copy shall not hamper with the normal exploitation of the work. ... 2- Making an analysis of the work and quoting excerpts therefrom, provided that this shall be in accordance with the fair and common practice and to the extent justified by such purpose, including excerpts from the work in a publication, a broadcast, or a sound or visual recording for the purpose of criticism, discussion or information. 3- Quoting from the work for the purpose of clarification in educational publications, broadcasting programmes, or sound or visual recordings, provided that such quoting shall be within the reasonable limits and shall not exceed the purpose thereof. ... ARTICLE (8) The following shall be permitted without the consent of the author and without paying any consideration: 1- Reproduction of a short work or short excerpts of a work for the purpose of personal use, provided that the reproduction shall not hamper with the normal exploitation of the work and shall not cause an unjustified prejudice to the legal interests of the author. ... ARTICLE (9) 1- Libraries, documentation centres, scientific institutions and educational institutions which are non-profit making, may make a single copy of the work by means of photography or the like: a- If the reproduced material is a published article, a short work, or short excerpts of a written work, other than computer programmes, for the purpose of satisfying the request of a natural person for use in study or research, provided that such copy shall be made once or at intervals.
Source links
Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights
Relevant update · Effective 2002-10-01
60%
Relevant section: Articles 7, 8, 9, 22
Dates: Effective 2002-10-01 · Enacted 2002-07-17
Why this score
Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 replaced Federal Law No. 40 of 1992. Based on available secondary descriptions and the structure visible from WIPO Lex, the 2002 law maintained a similar framework of exceptions: personal/private use copying (Art. 7), reproduction of short works/excerpts for personal use (Art. 8), and library/institutional copying for research (Art. 9). Article 22 introduced limitations and exceptions provisions. The personal use exception continued to permit a single copy of a work for exclusively personal use, covering full works but restricted to individual private use. No general fair use or fair dealing clause was introduced. No TDM exception was added. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE: full-work reproduction permitted but only for personal/private use, with no sharing right and no broader research exception open to all users.
Exceptions considered
Personal use exception permitting single copy for exclusively personal use
Reproduction of short works or short excerpts for personal use
Library/institutional copying of articles, short works, or short excerpts for study or research
Limitations and exceptions provisions (quotation, educational use)
Source links
Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights
Relevant update · Effective 2022-01-02
60%
Relevant section: Articles 22, 23, 24, 25
Dates: Effective 2022-01-02 · Enacted 2021-09-20
Why this score
Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 replaced Federal Law No. 7 of 2002, effective 2 January 2022. Based on the table of contents visible at the UAE Legislation portal and the WIPO Lex record, the new law contains: Article 22 (Limitations and Exceptions), Article 23 (Accessible Format Copy — implementing the Marrakesh Treaty), Article 24 (Publication of Specific Works), and Article 25 (Limitations of Holders of Neighboring Rights). The law aligns with the Berne Convention and WIPO Copyright Treaty per secondary sources. The structure indicates continuation of personal/private use exceptions and library/institutional exceptions similar to the predecessor laws. Article 22 contains the main limitations and exceptions. No TDM-specific exception has been reported in any source. No general fair use or fair dealing clause open to all users has been introduced. The personal use exception continues to permit reproduction of a full work for private/personal use only. The library exception continues to be limited to articles, short works, or short excerpts. Classification remains LIGHT BLUE: full-work reproduction permitted for personal/private use only, no sharing right, no broader open research exception.
Exceptions considered
Limitations and exceptions including personal/private use copying of a single copy for personal use, quotation, educational use
Library/institutional reproduction of articles, short works, or short excerpts for research purposes
Quotation from works for criticism, discussion, information within fair practice
Use for educational illustration within reasonable limits
Accessible format copy for persons with disabilities (Marrakesh Treaty implementation)
Source links
Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights
Current law confirmation · Effective 2022-01-02
60%
Relevant section: Articles 22, 23, 24, 25
Dates: Effective 2022-01-02 · Enacted 2021-09-20
Why this score
As of 2025, Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 remains the active copyright law in the UAE, as confirmed by the UAE Legislation portal (legislation state: Active, last update 20 Sep 2021) and the Lexis Middle East 2025 copyright guide. The law's exceptions framework includes: (1) a personal/private use exception permitting a single copy of a work for exclusively personal use (the most permissive exception, covering full works but restricted to individual private use — LIGHT BLUE); (2) library/institutional exceptions limited to articles, short works, or short excerpts for research (RED); (3) quotation exceptions limited to excerpts (RED); (4) educational exceptions within reasonable limits (RED); and (5) accessible format copies under Art. 23 (PURPLE, limited to disability access). No general fair use or fair dealing clause exists. No TDM-specific exception exists. No exception permits sharing/communication of research copies. The personal/private use exception is the most permissive, yielding LIGHT BLUE. Non-commercial restrictions and single-copy limits are classification-neutral and were not factored into the color decision.
Exceptions considered
Single copy of a work for exclusively personal use, not hampering normal exploitation
Library/institutional reproduction of articles, short works, or short excerpts for study or research
Quotation from works for criticism, discussion, information
Use for educational illustration within reasonable limits
Accessible format copy for persons with disabilities