WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
ORGANIZACIÔN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights IPlNllICYP/C/l 
28 January 1997 
(97-0298) 
Original: Englishl 
anglaisl 
inglés 
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
Cyprus 
The present document reproduces' the Copyright Law (No. 59/76), as amended, as notified 
by Cyprus under Article 63.2 of the Agreement (see document IP/N/lICYP/1). 
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriété 
intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce 
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET REGLEMENTATIONS CONSACREES A LA 
PROPRIETE INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIEES AU TITRE 
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
Chypre 
Le présent document contient le texte de la Loi no 59/76 sur le droit d'auteur, telle qu'elle a 
été modifiée!, notifiée par Chypre au titre de l'article 63:2 de l'Accord (voir le document 
IP/N/lICYPIl). 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio 
PRINCIPALES LEYES y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA 
PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD 
DEL PÂRRAFO 2 DEL ARTICULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
En el presente documento se reproduce! la Ley de Derecho de Autor (N° 59/76), con sus 
modificaciones, notificada por Chipre en virtud de 10 dispuesto en el pârrafo 2 deI articulo 63 deI 
Acuerdo (véase el documento IP/N/lICYP/l). 
!English only/anglais seulement/en inglés solamente. IP/N/lICYP/C/l 
Page 2 
Short Title. 
Interpretation. 
2(e)18(1)/93 COPYRIGHT LAW 
A LAW TO CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND THE LAW 
ON COPYRIGHT AND MA TTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH 
(No. 59/76, 63/77, 18(1)/93) 
The House of Representatives enacts as follows: 
1. This Law may be cited as the Copyright Law. 
2.-(1) ln this Law, unless the context otherwise requires -
"adaptation" includes any of the following -
(a) in relation to literary worK -
(i) in the case of a non-dramatic worK, a version of the worK 
(whether in its original language or a different language in 
which it is converted into a dramatic worK; 
(ii) in the case of a dramatic worK, a version of the worK (wh ether 
in its original language or a different language) in which it is 
converted into a non a non-dramatic worK; 
(i ii) translation of the worK and in relation to programmes for 
electronic computers, the translation includes the form of the 
programme into which it is converted from or into the language 
of the electronic computer or code, other than that which is 
coincidental to the running of the programme; 
(iv) a version of the worK in which the story and action are 
conveyed wholly or mainly by means of pictures in a form 
suitable for reproduction in a bOOK, newspaper, magazine or 
similar periodical; and 
(b) in relation to a musical worK, an arrangement or transcription of the 
worK; 
"artistic worK" means, irrespective of artistic quality, any of the following, 
or worKS similar thereto -
(a) paintings, drawings, etchings, 1 ithographs, woodcuts, engravings and 
prints; 
(b) maps, plans and diagrams; 
(c) worKS of sculpture, 
(d) photographs not comprised in a cinematograph film; 
(e) worKS of architecture in the form of buildings or models; 
(f) worKS of artistic craftsmanship not fall ing within any of the preceding 
para graphs and subject to the provision of subsection (3) of section 
3, includes pictorial woven tissues and articles of applied handicraft 
and industrial art; 2(b)18(1)/93 
2( c) 1'8( 1 )/93 
Cap. 307 
2(d)18(1)/93 
2(a)18(1)/93 
2(g)18(1)/93 IP/N/lICYP/C/l 
Page 3 
"author" in the case of a cinematograph film or sound recording, means 
the person by whom the arrangements for the maKing of the film or sound 
recording were undertaKen, or in the case of a broadcast transmitted from 
within a country, means the person by whom the arrangements for the 
maKing of the transmission from within that country were undertaKen, or 
in the case of a photograph, me ans the person who, at the time when the 
photograph is taKen, is the owner of the material on which it is taKen, and 
in any other case it includes the author, composer, painter, sKetcher, 
sculptor, turner, engraver and electronic computer programmer;" 
"broadcast" means a sound or visual broadcast by wireless telegraphy or 
wire or both and includes rebroadcast as weil as any method of receiving 
or transmitting by satellite or through cable system, for any use; 
"broadcasting authority" means the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and 
any other person authorised under the Wireless Telegraphy Law to opera te 
a broadcast transmitting station on the territory of the Republic; 
"building" includes any structure; 
"cinematograph film" means the recording by any mean from which moving 
images may be reproduced by any mean; 
"communication to the publiC" includes, in addition to any live performance 
or delivery, every mode of visual or acoustic presentation, including a 
presentation by means of apparatus for receiving broadcasts, but does not 
include a broadcast, and "communicate to the publiC" shall be construed 
accordingly; 
"copy" means that which may be reproduced directly or indirectly in 
written form, sound recording, cinematograph film, recording by electronic 
or other mean or in any other material form, so however that an object 
shall not be ta Ken to be a copy of an architectural worK unless the object 
is a building or model"; 
"copyright" means copyright provided for under this Law; 
"electronic form" means a form which uses electronic means; 
"electronic me an" means a mean which is actuated by electric, magnetic, 
electromagnetic, electrochemical or electromechanical energy; 
"licence" means a lawfully granted licence permitting the performance of 
an act controlled by copyright; 
"Iiterary worK" means, irrespective of literary quality, any of the 
following, or worKS similar thereto: 
(a) novels, stories and poetical worKS; 
(b) plays, stage directions, film scenarios and broadcasting scripts; 
(c) textbooKS, treatises, historical worKS, biographies, essays and 
articles; IP/N/1/CYP/C/1 
Page 4 
2(f)18(1)/93 
69(1)/94 
2(g)18(1)/93 
Cap. 305 
Cap. 307 (d) encyclopaedias and dictionaries; 
(e) letters, reports and memoranda; 
(f) lectures, addresses and sermons not including speeches delivered from 
a pulpit and addresses delivered in the House of Representatives and 
Courts; 
(g) table or compilation; 
(h) electronic computer programme. 
"Minister" means the Minister of Commerce, lndustry and Tourism according 
to the Renaming of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Law 1994. 
"musical worK" means any musical worK, irrespective of musical quality; 
"photograph" me ans the product of photography or of any other process 
aKin to photography other than a part of a cinematographic film; 
"plate" means any article of apparatus capable of maKing copies or 
adaptations of any worK; 
"rebroadcast" means a simultaneous or subsequent broadcast by one 
broadcasting authority of the broadcast of another broadcasting authority, 
whether situated in the Republic or abroad, and includes diffusion of such 
broadcast over wires, and "rebroadcasting" shall be constructed 
accordingly; 
"reproduction" means the maKing of one or more copies of a scientific, 
literary, musical or artistic worK, cinematograph film or sound recording; 
"Republic" means the Republic of Cyprus; 
"scientific worK" includes any worK of a scientific nature irrespect ive of 
the scientific quality thereof; 
"sound recording" means the first and constant fixation of a sequence of 
sound capable of being perceived aurally and of being reproduced, but 
do es not include a soundtracK associated with a cinematograph film; 
"telegraph" has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 of the Telegraphs 
Law; 
"wireless telegraphy" has the meaning assigned to it by subsection (1) of 
section 2 of the Wireless Telegraphy Law; 
"worK" includes translations, adaptations, new versions or arrangements of 
pre-existing worKS, and anthologies, collections or worKS which, by reason 
of the selection and arrangement of their content, present an original 
character; 
"worK of joint authorship" means a worK produced by the collaboration of 
two or more authors in which the contribution of each author is not 
separable from the contribution of the other author or authors; WorKs in 
,which 
copyright 
shall 
subsist. 
3 of 18(1)/93 
Copyright 
by virtue 
of citizen­
ship or 
the residence. IP/N/lICYP/C/l 
Page 5 
"written" includes any form or code whether by hand or otherwise 
irrespective of the method or mean with which or on whiCh, it has been 
recorded and/or entered. 
(2) For the purposes of this Law the following provisions shall apply with 
respect to publication -
(a) a worK shall be deemed to have been published if a copy or copies 
thereof have been made available with the consent of the author 
thereof in a manner sufficient to satisfy the reasonable requirements 
of the public; 
(b) where in the first instance a part only of a worK is published, that 
part shall be treated for the purposes of this Law as a separate 
worK; 
(c) a publication in any country shall not be treated as being other than 
the first publication by reason only of an earlier publication 
elsewhere, if the two publications tOOK place within a period of not 
more than thirty days. 
3.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, copyright shall subsist in 
the following worKS -
(a) scientific worKS; 
(b) literary worKS; 
(c) musical worKs; 
(d) artistic worKs; 
(e) cinematograph films; 
(f) photographs; 
(g) sound recordings; 
(h) broadcasts; 
(2) No copyright shall subsist in a literary, musical or artistic worK unless 
it is of an original character, and has been reduced to writing, audio 
recorded in any way by electronic or other means or has not otherwise 
been reduced to sorne material form. 
(3) No copyright shall subsist in a scientific or artistic worK if at the time 
.when the worK is made it is intended by the author to be used as a model 
or pattern to be multiplied by any industrial process. 
(4) A worK shall not be ineligible for copyright by reason only that the 
maKing of the worK, or the doing of any act in relation to the worK, 
involves an infringement of copyright in sorne other worK. 
4.-(1) Copyright shall be conferred under this section every worK eligible 
for copyright, of which the author or, in the case of a worK of joint 
authorship, any of the authors thereof is, at the time when the worK is made 
or, in the case of a broadcast, at the time when broadcast taKes place, a 
qualified person, that is to say -IP/N/1/CYP/C/l 
Page 6 
Copyright by 
ref erence to 
country of 
origin. 
5(a)18(1)/93 (a) an individual who is a citizen of the Republic, or has his habituai 
residence in the Republic; or 
(b) a body corporate incorporated and vested with legal personal ity under 
the laws of the Republic. 
(2) The duration of copyright subsisting by virtue of this section shall be 
calculated in accordance with the following schedule -
Type of WorK 
(i) Scientific, literary, 
musical of artistic worKS 
other than photographs. 
(ii) Cinematograph films and 
photographs. 
(iii) Sound recordings. 
(iv) Broadcasts. Date of Expiration 
of Copyright 
Fifty years beginning from the 
end of the year in which 
the author dies. 
Fifty years beginning from the 
end of the year in which the 
worK was first publ ished. 
Fifty years beginning from the end 
of the year in which the recording 
was made. 
Fifty years beginning from the end of the 
year in which the broadcast tOOK place. 
(3) ln the case of anonymous or pseudonymous scientific, literary, musical 
or artistic worKS the copyright therein shall expire fifty years beginning 
from the end of the year in which the worK was first publ ished, but in any 
case not later that the end of the year in which it is reasonable to presume 
that the author has been dead for fifty years: 
Provided that in the event of the identity of the author becoming Known 
the duration of copyright shall be calculated in accordance with the 
provisions of section 4(2)(i). 
(4) ln the case of a worK of joint authorship, reference in the schedule 
in subsection (2) to the death of the author shall be taKen to refer to the 
author who dies last, whether or not he is a qualified person. 
5.-(1) Copyright shall subsist under this section in every worK, other than 
a broadcast, which is eligible for copyright and which -
(a) is a scientific, literary, musical or artistic worK or a cinematograph 
film having been published or is an audio recording having first been 
published in the Republic; 
(b) is a worK of architecture having been erected in the Republic or is 
another artistic worK having been incorporated in a building located in the 
Republic; and 5(b)18(1)/93 
Copyright 
in worKS of 
Government 
and interna­
tional bodies. 
6 of 18(1)/93 
Nature of 
copyright in literary, 
musical or artistic 
worKS and cinematograph 
films. IP/N/lICYP/C/l 
Page 7 
(c) is a sound recording or cinematograph film, having been made in the 
Republic and which has not been the subject of copyright subsisting by 
virtue of section 4. 
(2) Copyright subsisting in a worK by virtue of this section shall have the 
same duration as provided for in section 4 in relation to the sa me type of 
worK. 
6.-(1) Copyright shall subsist by virtue of this section in every worK which 
is eligible for copyright under this Law and which is made by or under the 
direction or control of the Government and of such international bodies 
or other government organisations as may be prescribed and which has not 
been the subject of copyright conferred by section 4 or 5. 
(2) Copyright subsisting by this section in a scientific, literary, musical 
or artistic worK, other than a photograph, shall expire fifty years after 
the end of the year in which it was first published. 
(3) Copyright subsisting by this section in a cinematograph film, 
photograph, sound recording or broadcast shall have the same duration as 
provided for by section 4 in relation to the same type of worK. 
7.-(1) Copyright in a scientific, literary, musical or artistic worK or a 
cinematograph film or photograph shall consist in the exclusive right to 
control the doing in the Republic of any of the following acts: the 
reproduction in any form, sale, rentai, distribution, the lending of the 
advertisement, exhibiting in publ ic, the communication to the public, the 
broadcasting, the translation, adaptation and any other arrangement, of the 
whole worK or a substantial part thereof: 
Provided that copyright in any such worK shall not include the right to 
control -
(a) the doing of any of the aforesaid acts by way of fair dealing for 
purposes of research, private use, criticism or review, or the 
reporting of current events, on condition that, if such use is made in 
publie, it shall be accompanied by an aCKnowledgement of the title of 
the worK and its authorship, except where the worK is incidentally 
included in a broadcast; 
(b) the inclusion in a cinematograph film or broadcast of any artistic 
worK situated in a place where it may be viewed by the public; 
(c) the reproduction and distribution of copies of any artistic worK 
permanently situated in a place where it may be viewed by the publie; 
(d) the incidental inclusion of an artistic worK in a cinematograph film or 
broadcast; 
(e) the inclusion of a worK in a broadcast, communication to the public, 
sound recording, cinematograph film or collection of worKS, if such 
inclusion is made by way of illustration for teaching purposes and is IP/N/1/CYP/C/l 
Page 8 
compatible with fair practice and provided that mention is made of 
the source and of the name of the author which appears on the worK 
thus used; 
(f) The quotation of passages from publ ished worKS if they are 
compatible with fair practice and their extent does not exceed that 
justified by the purpose, including extracts from newspaper articles 
and magazines in the form of press summaries, provided that mention 
is made of the source and of the name of the author which appears 
on the worK thus used; 
(g) the reproduction by the press and the inclusion in a broadcast or a 
communication to the public of articles published in newspapers or 
magazines on current economic, political or religious topics, if such 
reproduction or inclusion has not been expressly reserved and provided 
that the source is clearly indicated; 
(h) the maKing of a sound recording of a literary or musical worK, as weil 
as the reproduction of such sound recording by the maKe or un der 
licence granted by him, provided that the copies thereof are intended 
for retail sale in the Republic and that such worK has already been 
previously recorded, whether in the Republic or abroad, under licence 
from the owner of the relevant part of the copyright, subject to such 
conditions and on payment of such reasonable compensation as the 
Minister may prescribe; 
(i) the reading or recitation in public or in a broadcast by one person of 
any reasonable extract from a published literary worK if accompanied 
by a sufficient aCKnowledgement; 
(j) any use made of a worK by such public libraries, non-commercial 
collection and documentation centres and scientific institutions as may 
be prescribed, where such use is in the public interest, no revenue is 
derived there from and no admission fee is charged for the 
communication, if any, to the publiC of the worK thus used; 
(K) the reproduction of a worK by or under the direction or control of 
a broadcasting authority where such reproduction or any copies 
thereof are intended exclusively for a lawful broadcast and are 
destroyed before the end of the period of six calendar months 
following immediately after maKing of the reproduction or such 
longer periods as may be agreed between the broadcasting authority 
and the owner of the relevant part of the copyright in the worK: 
Provided that any reproduction of a worK made under this paragraph 
may, if it constitutes an exceptional portrayal or recording of 
objectives facts, (documentary) be preserved in the archives of the 
broadcasting authority, which are hereby designated official archives 
for the purpose, but nevertheless subject to the provisions of this 
Law, shall not be used for broadcasting of for any other purposes 
without the consent of the owner of the relevant part of the 
copyright in the worK; (a),( e ),( f),(g),(i),(m) 
Broadcasting 
of worKS 
incorporated in a 
cinematograph 
film. 
Nature of 
copyright 
in sound 
recording. IP/N/lICYP/C/l 
Page 9 
(1) the broadcasting of a published worK with which no licensing body 
referred to under section 15 is concerned, subject to the condition that, 
saving the provisions of this section, the owner of the broadcasting 
right in the worK receives a fair compensation determined, in the 
absence of agreement, by the competent authority appointed under 
section 15; 
(m) any use of a worK for the purpose of a judicial proceeding or of any 
report of any such proceeding; 
(n) the reproduction by the press, the broadcasting and the communication 
to the publ ic of lectures, ad dresses and other worKS of the sa me nature 
which are delivered in public, if such use is justified by its informatory 
purpose. 
(2) The use of a worK under the provIsions of paragraphs 
and (n), of the proviso to sub-section (1) includes the use thereof in any of 
the languages in general use in the Republic. 
(3) Copyright in a worK of architecture shall also include the exclusive 
right to control the erection of any building which reproduces the whole 
or a substantial part of the worK either in its original form or in any form 
recognizably derived from the original: 
Provided that the copyright in any such worK shall not include the right to 
control the reconstruction in the same style as the original, of a building 
to which that copyright relates. 
(4) Copyright in a scientific, literary, musical or artistic worK, in a 
cinematograph film or photograph includes the right of the author, during 
his lifetime, to claim authorship of the worK and to object to any distortion, 
mutilation or other alteration thereof which would be prejudicial ta his 
honour or reputation: 
Provided that an author who authorizes the use of his worK in a 
cinematograph film or a television broadcast may not oppose modifications 
which are absolutely required on technical grounds or for the purpose of 
commercial exploitation of the worK. 
8. Where the owner of the copyright in any literary or artistic worK 
authorizes a person or body corporate to include the worK in a 
cinematograph film, such authorization shall, in the absence of express 
agreement to the contrary, be deemed to imply authority to communicate 
the film to the publie and to broadcast it. This section shall not apply to 
musical worKS included in a cinematograph film. 
9. Copyright in a sound recording shall be the exclusive right to control in 
the Republic the direct or indirect reproduction of the whole or a substantial 
part of the recording either in its original form or any adaptation or in any 
form recognizably derived from the original: 
Provided that the provisions of paragraphs (a),(e),(j),(K) and (m) of the Nature of 
copyright IP/N/1/CYP/CIl 
Page 10 
in broadcasts. 
First owner 
of copy­
right to 
be the author. 
47(1)/93 proviso to subsection (1) of section 7 shall apply to the copyright in a 
sound recording in liKe manner as they apply to copyright in a literary, 
musical or artistic worK or in a cinematograph film. 
10. Copyright in a broadcast shall be the exclusive right to control the 
doing in the Republic of any of the following acts, namely, the recording 
and rebroadcasting of the whole or a substantial part of the broadcast and 
the communication to the public, in places where an admission fee is 
charged, of the whole or a substantial part of a television broadcast, either 
in its original form or any adaptation of in any form recognizably derived 
from the original: 
Provided that -
(a) the provisions of paragraphs (a), (e), (j) and (m) of the proviso to 
subsection (1) of section 7 shall apply to the copyright in a broadcast 
in liKe manner as they apply to copyright in a literary, musical or 
artistic worK or a cinematograph film; 
(b) the copyright in a television broadcast shall include the right to 
control the taKing of still photographs from such broadcasts. 
11.-(1) Copyright subsisting by virtue of this Law shall vest initially in the 
author: 
Provided that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (5) of section 
12, where the doing of a worK -
(a) is commissioned by a person or body corporate who is not the author's 
employer under a contract of service or apprenticeship, or 
(b) not having been 50 commissioned, is made in the course of the author's 
employment as part of his duties under his contract of employment, 
the copyright shall be deemed to be transferred to the person or body 
corporate who commissioned the worK or to the author's employer, subject 
to any agreement between the parties excluding or limiting such transfer. 
(2) The name on a worK purporting to be the name of its author shall be 
deemed as such, unless the contrary is proved. 
(3) ln the case of an anonymous or pseudonymous worK, the publisher 
whose name is indicated on the worK as such shall be deemed to be, unless 
the contrary is proved, the lawful representative of the anonymous or 
pseudonymous author and shall be entitled to exercise and proteet the rights 
belonging to the author under this Law. 
(4) ln the case of an unpublished worK where the identity of the author 
is unKnown, but where there are reasons supporting the view that he is a 
citizen of the Republie the copyright subsisting by virtue of this Law shall 
be deemed to vest in the Minister of Education and Culture according to 
the Renaming of the Ministry of Education Law 1993. Assignments and 
licences in 
respect of copyright. 
Infringements. 
7(a) of 18(1)/93 IP/N/lICYP/C/1 
Page 11 
(5) The provisions of subsections (3) and (4) shall cease to apply as soon 
as the identity of the author becomes Known. 
12.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, copyright shall be 
transmissible by assignment, by testamentary disposition, or by operation 
of law, as movable property. 
(2) An assignment or testamentary disposition of copyright may be 1 imited 
so as to apply to some only of the acts which the owner of the copyright 
has the exclusive right to control, or to part only of the period for which 
the copyright is to subsist or to a specified country or other geographical 
area. 
(3) No assignment of copyright and no exclusive licence to do an act the 
doing of which is controlled by copyright shall have effect unless it is or 
is granted in writing. 
(4) A non-exclusive licence to do an act the doing of which is controlled 
by copyright may be written or oral, or may be inferred from conduct. 
(5) An assignment, licence or testamentary disposition may be effectively 
granted or made in respect of a future worK, or an existing worK in which 
copyright does not yet subsist, and the prospective copyright in any such 
worK shall be transmissible by operation of law as movable property. 
(6) A testamentary disposition of the material on which a worK is first 
written or otherwise recorded shall, unless the will has provided otherwise, 
be deemed to include any copyright or prospective copyright in the worK 
which is vested in the deceased. 
13.-(1) Copyright shall be infringed by any person who does, or causes or 
permits any other person to do, without the licence of the owner thereof, 
an act the doing of which is controlled by copyright. 
(2) Copyright shall also be infringed by any person who, without the 
licence of the owner of the copyright, imports into the Republic or exports 
from the Republ ic, otherwise than for his private and domestic use, or 
distributes therein by way of trade or sells or rents or lends or 
communicates to the publ ic or exhibits in publ ic or in any way advertises, 
any article in respect of which copyright is infringed under subsection (1). 
(3) ln an action for infringement of copyright -
(a) copyright shall be presumed to subsist in the worK, unless the 
defendant puts the question in issue; 
(b) where the subsistence of copyright is not in issue, the plaintiff is 
presumed to be the owner of the right claimed, unless the defendant 
puts his ownership in issue; 
(c) the worK in question shall be presumed to be original, and, in the case 
of a publication, the date and place alleged by the plaintiff shall be IP/N/1/CYP/C/l 
Page 12 
7(b) of 18(1)/93 presumed to be correct, unless, in either case, the contrary is proved. 
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Law, infringements of copyright shall 
be actionable at the suit of the owner of the copyright, and in any action 
for such an infringement ail such relief, by way of damages, injunction, 
accounts or otherwise, shall be available to the plaintiff as is available in 
any corresponding proceedings in respect of infringement of other rights 
including the right of delivery up to the owner of copyright, who is 
deemed to be their owner, of ail the copies which appear to the Court to 
be infringing copies of the copyright in the worK. 
(5) Where in an action for infringement of copyright it is proved or 
admitted -
(a) that an infringement was committed, but 
(b) that at the time of the infringement the defendant was not aware, and 
had no reasonable grounds for suspecting, that copyright subsisted in 
the worK to which the action relates, 
the plaintiff shall not be entitled under this section to any damages against 
the defendant in respect of the infringement, but shall be entitled to an 
account of profits in respect of the infringement whether any other relief 
is granted under this section or not. 
(6) Where in an action under this section an infringement of copyright is 
proved or admitted, and the Court, having regard (in addition to ail other 
material considerations) to -
(a) the flagrancy of the infringement; and 
(b) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the 
infringement, 
is satisfied that effective relief would not otherwise be available to the 
plaintiff, the Court, in assessing damages for the infringement, shall have 
power to award such additional damages by virtue of this subsection as the 
Court may consider appropriate in the circumstances. 
(7) No injunction shall be issued in proceedings for infringement of 
copyright which requires a completed or partly built building to be 
demolished or prevents the completion of partly built building. 
(8) ln this section -
"action" includes a counterclaim, and references to the plaintiff and 
to the defendant in an action shall be constructed accordingly; 
"Court" means a Court of competent jurisdiction; 
"owner of copyright" means the first owner, an assignee or an 
exclusive licensee, as the case may be, of the relevant portion of the 9 of 18(1)/93 
Penalties and 
summary proceedings 
in respect of dealings 
which infringe copyright. copyright. 
14.-(1) If any person Knowingly -IP/N/1/CYP/C/l 
Page 13 
(a) MaKes for sale or hire any infringing copy in which copyright subsists 
or 
(b) sells or lets for hire or advertises the sale or hire, or by way of 
trade exposes or offers for sale or hire any such copy or 
(c) obtains possession or distributes such copies either for the purposes 
of trade or to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of 
the copyright or 
(d) by way of trade exhibits in publie any such copy or 
(e) exports from and/or imports into the Republic for sale or hire any such 
copy 
shall commit an offence and shall, on his conviction, be liable to a fine not 
exceeding one thousand five hundred pounds C%:1,500.- or to imprisonment 
for a term not exceeding two (2) years or to both such penalties and in the 
case of a second or any subsequent conviction he shall be liable to a fine 
not exceeding two thousand (2000) pounds or to imprisonment for a term 
not exceeding three (3) years or to both such penalties. 
(2) Any person who Knowingly maKes or has in his possession any plate 
for the purpose of maKing infringing copies of any worK in which copyright 
subsists shall commit an offence and shall, on his conviction, be liable ta 
a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred (1500) pounds or to 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years or to both such 
penalties, and, in the case of a second or any subsequent conviction, he 
shall be liable ta a fine not exceeding two thousand (2000) pounds or ta 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) years or to both such 
penalties. 
(3) Any person who Knowingly causes or permits a scientific, literary, 
artistic or musical worK to be performed in public thereby infringing a 
copyright which subsists in such worK shall commit an offence and, shall on 
his conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred 
(1500) pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years 
or ta both such penalties, and, in the case of a second or any subsequent 
conviction, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand 
(2000) pounds or ta imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) years 
or to both such penalties. 
(4) With regard to any procedure relating to criminal offences in 
contravention of the present law, within the meaning of the term "author", 
every person who reproduces with authorised representative of his, shall 
be included. 
(5) The Court before which any such proceedings are taKen ma y, IP/N/1/CYP/C/1 
Page 14 
Appointment of 
competent 
authority and 
duties of such 
authority. irrespective of whether the alleged offender is convicted or not, order that 
ail copies of the worK or ail plates in the possession of the alleged 
offender, which appear to it to be infringing copies of the subsisting 
copyright to this worK or to be plates for the purpose of maKing infringing 
copies, shall be destroyed or delivered up to the owner of the copyright 
or otherwise be dealt with as the Court may thinK fit. 
(6) For the purposes of this section "Court" means the President of the 
District Court or Senior District Judge or District Judge who, 
notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, has with the present law 
territorial jurisdiction to try any offence under this section and impose the 
penalties prescribed thereunder. 
14A-(1) The circulation, sale, rentai, distribution of any audio recording, 
cinematograph film or electronic computer programme will only be allowed 
as long as it carries affixed by the author or his authorized representative 
on a visible place, a special sticKer which will be made available in the 
manner that the Minister will determine and the affixing of this sticKer by 
the author or his authorized representative certifies that the maKing 
available for trade, or the circulation in any way of the audio recording, 
cinematograph film, or electronic computer programme does not constitute 
an infringement of the copyright of the author. 
(2) Anyone who Knowingly, acts in breach of this section, shall commit an 
offence and in case of his conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 
one thousand five hundred (1500) pounds) for every copy or to 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years or both such penalties 
and in case of a second or subsequent conviction to a fine which shall not 
exceed two thousand (2000) pounds or to imprisonment for a term not 
exceeding three (3) years or to both such penalties. 
15.-(1) ln any case where it appears to the competent authority that a 
licensing body -
(a) is unreasonably refusing to grant licenses in respect of copyright, 
or 
(b) is imposing unreasonable ter ms or conditions on the granting of such 
licences, 
the competent authority may direct that, as respects the doing of any act 
relating to a worK with which the licensing body is concerned, a licence 
shall be deemed to have been granted by the licensing body at the time the 
act is done, provided the appropriate fees fixed by such competent 
authority are paid or tendered before the expiration of such period or 
periods as the competent authority may determine and such other 
reasonable terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the competent 
authority are fulfilled. 
(2) ln this section -
"competent authority" means the authority consisting of not more than Regulations 
2a of 63/77 
2(b) of 63/77 IP/N/1/CYP/C/1 
Page 15 
five persons appointed by the Minister from amongst persons having 
experience in and Knowledge of matters of copyright, at least three of 
which are not members of the publiC service, for the purpose of exercising 
jurisdiction under the provisions of this Law whenever any matter requires 
to be determined by such authority; 
"Iicensing body" means a society, firm or other organization which has 
as its main object, or one of its main objects, the negotiation or granting of 
licences in respect of copyright worKs, and includes an individual carrying 
on the same activity. 
(3) No person may be appointed under the provisions of this section, nor 
any person so appointed act, as a competent authority, if he, his partner, 
his employer or any body (wh ether statutory or not) of which he is a 
member has any pecuniary interest in any matter which requires to be 
determined by such authority. 
(4) The Minister may maKe regulations, published in the official Gazette 
of the Republic, governing the proceedings before the competent authority 
and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may maKe 
Regulations -
(a) prescribing the manner in which any matter may be referred to the 
competent authority; 
(b) prescribing the procedure to be adopted by the competent authority 
in dealing with any matter referred to it under this Law and the 
records to be Kept by the competent authority; 
(c) prescribing the manner in which the competent authority shall be 
convened and the place where the competent authority shall hold its 
sittings; 
(d) prescribing the scale of fees and charges; and 
(e) relating generally to the better carrying out of the functions 
entrusted to the competent authority by this Law. 
16.-(1) The Council of Ministers may maKe Regulations, published in the 2a 
official Gazette of the Republic, for the better carrying out of the 
provisions of this Law, and for prescribing anything which is required or 
may be prescribed under this Law. 
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1) Regulations 
made by the Council of Ministers under this section may provide for an 
extension of the provisions of this Law in respect of some or ail of the 
worKS referred to in sub-section (1) of section 3 by -
(a) individuals who are citizens or have their habituai residence in; 
(b) bodies corporate incorporated in or according to the law in force in; IP/N/lICYP/C/1 
Page 16 
Laying of 
Regulations 
before the 
House of 
Representatives 
99 of 1989 
227 of 1990 
27(1) of 1992 
Extent of 
appl ication of 
the Law. 
Abrogation 
of common 
Law rights. 
Existing 
of Contracts. 
Repeal. 
Cap. 264 
1 - 2 
George 
Sc. 46 
ChrN/AM (c) worKS, other than sound recordings or broadcasts first published in; 
(d) worKS of architecture erected in, or other artistic worKS 
incorporated in a building in; 
(e) sound recordings made in, 
a country which is a party to a convention to which the Republic is also a 
party and in which there is provision for the protection of copyright in 
worKS protected by this Law. 
17. Regulations made under this Law shall be laid before the House of 
Representatives. If within sixt Y days of such laying the House of 
Representatives does not by resolution amend or annul, in whole or in part, 
the Regulations so laid, they shall then, soon after the expiry of the period 
herein~fter mentioned, be published in the official Gazette of the Republic 
and they shall come into force as from such publication. In the event of 
their amendment, in whole or in part, by the House of Representatives, such 
Regulations shall be published in the official Gazette of the Republic as 
amended by the House of Representatives and they shall come into force 
as from such publication in accordance with the Laws which provide for the 
laying before the House of Representatives of Regulations which are 
published un der Authorization of Law, Laws of 1989 to 1992. 
18. This Law shall apply in relation to worKS made before the 
commencement thereof in the same manner as it applies in relation to worKS 
made subsequently. This Law shall apply also to worKS which should be 
eligible for protection by virtue of international treaties or international 
conventions binding the Republ ic. 
19. No copyright or right in the nature of copyright shall subsist otherwise 
than by virtue of this Law or of sorne other enactment in that behalf. 
20. Any contract entered into under other Law and being valid on the date 
the commencement of this Law shall be governed until the termination or 
expiry thereof by the Law which was in force on the date when it was 
entered into. 
21. The Copyright Law is hereby repealed and the provisions of the 
United Kingdom Copyright Act, 1911, which are in force thereunder shall 
cease to have effect. 