Intellectual Property - Copyright - Limitations to the copyright

Copyright is subject to certain limitations. The limitations are applied to works which are either disseminated or published. A work is considered disseminated when it is lawfully made available to the public. A work is again considered published when copies have first been placed on sale or otherwise been distributed to the public with the author's consent.

One main limitation is the right for private persons to produce a few copies of a disseminated work for own personal use. Such copies may not be used for any other purpose. This does not, however, as a main rule, apply to computer programs.

In order to enhance creative work, there is a rule according to which a disseminated work may be quoted, in accordance with normal or proper usage, to the extent necessary for the purpose of the quotation.