Selected year snapshot
For 2025, the active event in this file is Ley N° 6683 sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos (as amended through Law 9858).
60%
Current rationale
As of 2025, the Costa Rican Copyright and Related Rights Law (Ley 6683, as amended) contains the following research-relevant exceptions: (1) Article 70 — quotation exception limited to excerpts for teaching, criticism, and informational purposes (RED individually); (2) Article 74 — personal use reproduction of disclosed literary or artistic works in a single copy without profit motive (LIGHT BLUE individually); (3) Article 69 bis — Marrakesh Treaty exception for accessible formats for print-disabled persons (not a general research exception). There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or TDM exception in Costa Rican copyright law. The most permissive research-relevant exception is Article 74, which permits reproduction of full works but is restricted to personal use ('uso personal') and exclusive use of the copier ('uso exclusivo del que la hace'). This covers private study and individual research but does not authorize sharing, communication, or institutional copying. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral. The 'personal use' qualifier restricts the user class to individuals acting privately, yielding LIGHT BLUE. No broader exception overrides this classification.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception — permits quotations from lawfully published works for teaching, criticism, or informational purposes, limited to excerpts justified by the purpose.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed literary or artistic works in a single copy without profit motive, for exclusive use of the copier.
Accessible format copies for persons with visual impairments or print disabilities (Marrakesh Treaty implementation, added by Law 9858).
Reproduction of works permanently placed in public spaces, and distribution/communication of such reproductions.
Law changes
Ley N° 6683 sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos
Baseline · Effective 1982-11-02
60%
Relevant section: Art. 73, Art. 74
Dates: Effective 1982-11-02 · Enacted 1982-10-14
Why this score
The most permissive research-relevant exception in the 1990 baseline is Article 74, which permits any person to reproduce a literary or artistic work in a single copy for personal use without profit motive, provided the work has been disclosed. This covers reproduction of full works by any individual for personal/private use, which includes private study and individual research. However, it is limited to 'personal use' (uso personal) and 'exclusive use of the person making it' (uso exclusivo del que la hace), which restricts it to individuals acting privately — no sharing, no institutional use. Article 70 permits quotation (citas) from lawfully published works for teaching, criticism, or informational purposes, but this is limited to excerpts/quotations (RED individually). Article 73 covers reproduction of works in public places (not research-relevant). Article 74 is the most permissive for research purposes. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral factors. The key restriction is the 'personal use' qualifier limiting the user class to individuals, yielding LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Permits quotations (citas) from lawfully published works for teaching, criticism, or informational purposes, limited to excerpts justified by the purpose.
Permits reproduction of works permanently placed in public spaces, and distribution/communication of such reproductions.
Permits any person to reproduce disclosed literary or artistic works in a single copy for personal use without profit motive.
Original text
Artículo 73.- Es lícita la reproducción, por medio de pinturas, dibujos, fotografías o películas cinematográficas, de las obras que están colocadas de modo permanente en vías públicas, calles o plazas, y la distribución y comunicación pública de tales reproducciones u obras. En lo que se refiere a las obras de arquitectura, esta disposición sólo es aplicable a su aspecto exterior. Artículo 74.- Es permitido a todos reproducir, para su uso personal y sin ánimo de lucro, obras literarias o artísticas, siempre que se trate de obras ya divulgadas, y la reproducción se realice en un solo ejemplar para el uso exclusivo del que la hace.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 73.- It is lawful to reproduce, by means of paintings, drawings, photographs or cinematographic films, works that are permanently placed in public ways, streets or squares, and the distribution and public communication of such reproductions or works. With regard to works of architecture, this provision is only applicable to their exterior appearance. Article 74.- It is permitted for everyone to reproduce, for their personal use and without profit motive, literary or artistic works, provided that the works have already been disclosed, and the reproduction is made in a single copy for the exclusive use of the person making it.
Source links
Ley N° 7397 - Reforma a la Ley sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos
Relevant update · Effective 1994-05-03
60%
Relevant section: Art. 74 (as amended)
Dates: Effective 1994-05-03 · Enacted 1994-05-03
Why this score
Law No. 7397 of May 3, 1994 reformed the Copyright and Related Rights Law. Based on available information, the private use exception in Article 74 was maintained in substance. The reform primarily addressed enforcement, moral rights, and related rights provisions. The personal/private use exception for reproduction of full works in a single copy remained the most permissive research-relevant exception. The classification remains LIGHT BLUE because the personal use restriction on the user class persists.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception for teaching, criticism, informational purposes — limited to excerpts.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed works in a single copy without profit motive.
Source links
Ley N° 7979 - Reformas a la Ley sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos y otras leyes
Relevant update · Effective 2000-01-06
60%
Relevant section: Art. 74 (as amended by Law 7979)
Dates: Effective 2000-01-06 · Enacted 2000-01-06
Why this score
Law No. 7979 of January 6, 2000 amended the Copyright and Related Rights Law (Ley 6683), the Patents Law (Ley 6867), and the Code of Civil Procedure. This reform was enacted in the context of WTO/TRIPS compliance. Based on available references, the private use exception was maintained but may have been refined. The personal/private use exception for reproduction of full works remained the most permissive research-relevant exception. No general fair use, fair dealing, or TDM exception was introduced. Classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception — limited to excerpts for teaching, criticism, information.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed works in a single copy without profit motive.
Source links
Ley N° 8686 - Reforma, Adición y Derogatoria de Diversas Normas que Regulan Materias Relacionadas con la Propiedad Intelectual
Relevant update · Effective 2008-11-21
60%
Relevant section: Art. 74 (as amended by Law 8686)
Dates: Effective 2008-11-21 · Enacted 2008-11-21
Why this score
Law No. 8686 of November 21, 2008 was a comprehensive intellectual property reform enacted in the context of CAFTA-DR implementation. This law amended, added, and repealed various provisions across IP laws. Based on available references, the exceptions and limitations in the copyright law were adjusted but the core private use exception was maintained. No general fair use, fair dealing, or TDM exception was introduced. The personal/private use exception for reproduction of full works remained the most permissive research-relevant exception. Classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception — limited to excerpts for teaching, criticism, information.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed works in a single copy without profit motive.
Source links
Ley N° 9858 - Reforma de la Ley sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos para la implementación del Tratado de Marrakech
Relevant update · Effective 2020-06-24
60%
Relevant section: Art. 69 bis (added by Law 9858)
Dates: Effective 2020-06-24 · Enacted 2020-06-24
Why this score
Law No. 9858 implemented the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled. This added specific exceptions for accessible format copies for beneficiary persons. While this is a new exception, it is narrowly targeted at persons with visual impairments or print disabilities and does not constitute a general research exception. The pre-existing private use exception in Article 74 remains the most permissive general research-relevant exception. Classification remains LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception — limited to excerpts for teaching, criticism, information.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed works in a single copy without profit motive.
Accessible format copies for persons with visual impairments or print disabilities (Marrakesh Treaty implementation).
Source links
Ley N° 6683 sobre Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos (as amended through Law 9858)
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
60%
Relevant section: Art. 70, Art. 74
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, the Costa Rican Copyright and Related Rights Law (Ley 6683, as amended) contains the following research-relevant exceptions: (1) Article 70 — quotation exception limited to excerpts for teaching, criticism, and informational purposes (RED individually); (2) Article 74 — personal use reproduction of disclosed literary or artistic works in a single copy without profit motive (LIGHT BLUE individually); (3) Article 69 bis — Marrakesh Treaty exception for accessible formats for print-disabled persons (not a general research exception). There is no general fair use, fair dealing, or TDM exception in Costa Rican copyright law. The most permissive research-relevant exception is Article 74, which permits reproduction of full works but is restricted to personal use ('uso personal') and exclusive use of the copier ('uso exclusivo del que la hace'). This covers private study and individual research but does not authorize sharing, communication, or institutional copying. The non-commercial restriction and single-copy limit are classification-neutral. The 'personal use' qualifier restricts the user class to individuals acting privately, yielding LIGHT BLUE. No broader exception overrides this classification.
Exceptions considered
Quotation exception — permits quotations from lawfully published works for teaching, criticism, or informational purposes, limited to excerpts justified by the purpose.
Personal use reproduction of disclosed literary or artistic works in a single copy without profit motive, for exclusive use of the copier.
Accessible format copies for persons with visual impairments or print disabilities (Marrakesh Treaty implementation, added by Law 9858).
Reproduction of works permanently placed in public spaces, and distribution/communication of such reproductions.
Original text
Artículo 74.- Es permitido a todos reproducir, para su uso personal y sin ánimo de lucro, obras literarias o artísticas, siempre que se trate de obras ya divulgadas, y la reproducción se realice en un solo ejemplar para el uso exclusivo del que la hace.
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: Article 74.- It is permitted for everyone to reproduce, for their personal use and without profit motive, literary or artistic works, provided that the works have already been disclosed, and the reproduction is made in a single copy for the exclusive use of the person making it.