Copyright Act (Chapter 63) (Revised Edition 2006, as amended up to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019), Singapore, WIPO Lex

Main text(s)

English Copyright Act (Chapter 63) (Revised Edition 2006, as amended up to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019)

Download PDF open_in_new

THE STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

(CHAPTER 63)

(Original Enactment: Act 2 of 1987)

REVISED EDITION 2006

(31st January 2006)

Prepared and Published by

THE LAW REVISION COMMISSION UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF

THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS ACT (CHAPTER 275)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

CHAPTER 63

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Section

1. Short title 2. Application 3. Application to Government 4. Copyright not to subsist except by virtue of this Act 5. Savings of rights of Government, etc. 6. Operation of other laws

PART II

INTERPRETATION

7. Interpretation 7A. Literary works include compilation and computer program 8. Residence 9. Acts comprised in copyright 10. Acts done in relation to substantial part of work or other subject-

matter deemed to be done in relation to the whole 11. References to acts done with licence of owner of copyright 12. References to partial assignment of copyright 13. Libraries established or conducted for profit 14. Names under which work is published 15. Reproduction of works 16. Provisions relating to the making of a work or other subject-

matter 17. Storage in computer or on any other medium 18. Sound recordings and records 19. References to sounds and visual images embodied in an article 20. Provisions relating to broadcasting 21. Cable programmes 22. Performance

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

2006 Ed.

Section

23. Performance of works or other subject-matter by students or staff of educational institution, etc.

24. Publication 25. Ownership of copyright for particular purposes 25A. Commercial rental arrangement

PART III

Division 1 — Nature, Duration and Ownership of Copyright in Works

26. Nature of copyright in original works 27. Original works in which copyright subsists 28. Duration of copyright in original works 29. Duration of copyright in anonymous and pseudonymous work 30. Ownership of copyright in original works

Division 2 — Infringement of Copyright In Works

31. Infringement by doing acts comprised in copyright 32. Infringement by importation for sale or hire 33. Infringement by sale and other dealings 34. Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and

archives

Division 3 — Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright Works

35. Fair dealing in relation to works 36. Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review 37. Fair dealing for purpose of reporting current events 38. Reproduction for purposes of judicial proceedings or

professional advice 38A. Temporary reproduction made in course of communication 39. Back-up copy of computer program, etc. 39A. Decompilation 39B. Observing, studying and testing of computer programs 39C. Other acts permitted to lawful users 40. Inclusion of works in collections for use by educational

institutions 40A. Accessories to imported articles

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 4 — Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright in Literary, Dramatic and Musical Works

Section

41. Reading or recitation in public or for a communication 42. Religious performances 43. Reproduction for purpose of broadcasting 43A. Reproduction for purpose of simulcasting

Division 5 — Copying of Works in Libraries

44. Interpretation of this Division 45. Copying by libraries and archives for users 46. Copying by libraries or archives for other libraries or archives 47. Copying or communication of unpublished works in libraries or

archives 48. Copying of works for preservation and other purposes 49. Publication of unpublished works kept in libraries 49A. Copying of online material for National Library Board

collection 50. Application of Division to illustrations accompanying articles

and other works

Division 6 — Copying of Works for Educational Purposes

50A. Copying by non-reprographic means for purpose of a course of education

51. Multiple copying or communication of insubstantial portions of works

52. Multiple copying or communication under statutory licence by educational institutions

52A. Things done for purposes of examination 53. Application of Division to illustrations accompanying articles

and other works

Division 7 — Copying of Works in Institutions Assisting Persons with Reading Disabilities and Institutions Assisting Intellectually Handicapped Readers

54. Copying, etc., under statutory licence for persons with reading disabilities

54A. Multiple copying under statutory licence by institutions assisting intellectually handicapped readers

Division 8 — Recording of Musical Works

55. Interpretation of this Division

Copyright3 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

56. Conditions upon which manufacturer may make records of musical work

57. Amount of royalty 58. Provisions relating to royalty where 2 or more works are on the

one record 59. Revision of royalty and minimum royalty 60. Conditions upon which manufacturer may include part of a

literary or dramatic work in a record of a musical work 61. Making inquiries in relation to previous records 62. Application of Division in relation to record of part of a work

Division 9 — Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright in Artistic Works

63. Sculptures and certain other works in public places 64. Buildings and models of buildings 65. Incidental filming or televising of artistic works 66. Publication of artistic works 67. Artistic works included in a cable programme 68. Reproduction for purpose of including work in television

broadcast or cable programme 69. Reproduction of work in different dimensions 70. Special exception for artistic works which have been industrially

applied 71. Reproduction of part of work in later work 72. Reconstruction of buildings

Division 10 — Designs

73. Interpretation of this Division 74. Special exception in respect of industrial design

Division 11 — Works of Joint Authorship

75. References to all of joint authors 76. References to any one or more of joint authors 77. References to whichever of joint authors died last 78. Works of joint authorship published under pseudonyms 79. Copyright to subsist in joint works without regard to any author

who is an unqualified person 80. Inclusion of joint works in collections for use in educational

institutions

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART IV

Division 1 — Preliminary

Section

81. Interpretation of this Part

Division 2 — Nature of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

82. Nature of copyright in sound recordings 83. Nature of copyright in cinematograph films 84. Nature of copyright in television broadcasts and sound

broadcasts 85. Nature of copyright in cable programmes 86. Nature of copyright in published editions of works

Division 3 — Subject-Matter, other than Works, in which Copyright Subsists

87. Sound recordings in which copyright subsists 88. Cinematograph films in which copyright subsists 89. Television broadcasts and sound broadcasts in which copyright

subsists 90. Cable programmes in which copyright subsists 91. Published editions of works in which copyright subsists

Division 4 — Duration of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

92. Duration of copyright in sound recordings 93. Duration of copyright in cinematograph films 94. Duration of copyright in television broadcasts and sound

broadcasts 95. Duration of copyright in cable programmes 96. Duration of copyright in published editions of works

Division 5 — Ownership of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

97. Ownership of copyright in sound recordings 98. Ownership of copyright in cinematograph films 99. Ownership of copyright in television broadcasts and sound

broadcasts 100. Ownership of copyright in cable programmes 101. Ownership of copyright in published editions of works

Division 6 — Infringement of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

102. Interpretation of this Division 103. Infringement by doing acts comprised in copyright

Copyright5 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

104. Infringement by importation for sale or hire 105. Infringement by sale and other dealings 105A. Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and

archives 106. Acts done for purposes of judicial proceeding 107. Making of a copy of sound recording for purposes of

broadcasting 107A. Making of copy of sound recording or cinematograph film for

purpose of simulcasting 107B. Non-subscription digital audio transmissions 107C. Digital audio transmissions within business establishment 107D. Other non-infringing non-interactive transmissions 107E. Temporary copy made in course of communication 108. Provisions relating to cinematograph films 109. Fair dealing in relation to other subject-matter 110. Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review 111. Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news 112. Copying of unpublished sound recordings and cinematograph

films in libraries or archives 113. Copying of sound recordings and cinematograph films for

preservation and other purposes 113A. Copying of online material for National Library Board

collection 113B. Access to cinematograph film and sound recording by users of

libraries and archives 114. Filming or recording broadcasts or programmes for private and

domestic use 115. Use of broadcasts for educational purposes 115A. Copying for course of instruction in making of film or sound-

track 115B. Things done for purposes of examination 115C. Copying, etc., under statutory licence by institutions for reading

disabilities 116. Reproductions of editions of work 116A. Accessories to imported articles

Division 7 — Miscellaneous

117. Copyrights to subsist independently

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART V

REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENTS OF COPYRIGHT

Division 1 — Preliminary

Section

118. Interpretation of this Part

Division 2 — Actions by Owner of Copyright

119. Actions for infringement 120. Order for delivery up of infringing copies, etc. 120A. Order for disposal of infringing copies, etc.

Division 3 — Proceedings where Copyright is subject to Exclusive Licence

121. Interpretation of this Division 122. Application 123. Rights of exclusive licensee 124. Joinder of owner or exclusive licensee as party 125. Defences available against exclusive licensee 126. Assessment of damages where exclusive licence granted 127. Apportionment of profits between owner and exclusive licensee 128. Separate actions in relation to the same infringement 129. Liability for costs

Division 4 — Proof of Facts in Copyright Proceedings

130. Presumptions as to subsistence and ownership of copyright 131. Presumptions in relation to authorship of work 132. Presumptions in relation to publisher of work 133. Presumptions where author has died 134. Evidence in relation to proceedings 135. Presumptions in relation to maker of film

Division 5 — Offences

136. Offences 137. Affidavit evidence 138. Powers of police officer 139. Advertisement for supply of infringing copies of computer

programs 140. Court for trial of offences

Copyright7 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 6 — Border Enforcement Measures

Subdivision (1) — Preliminary provisions

Section

140A. Interpretation of this Division and Division 7 140AA. Delegation of Director-General’s powers 140AB. Fees

Subdivision (2) — Seizure of copies on request

140B. Restriction of importation or exportation of copies of works, etc. 140C. Security for liability or expense of seizure, storage and disposal 140D. Secure storage of seized copies 140E. Notice of seizure 140EA. Persons bound to give information or produce documents 140EB. Information on import or export 140F. Inspection, release, etc., of seized copies 140G. Forfeiture of seized copies by consent 140H. Compulsory release of seized copies to importer or exporter 140I. Provision relating to actions for infringement of copyright 140IA. Compensation for failure to take action 140J. Retention of control of seized copies 140K. Disposal of seized copies 140L. Insufficient security

Subdivision (3) — Ex-officio seizure of copies

140LA. Seizure and inspection of infringing copies 140LB. Requirements for continued detention 140LC. Notice to take action 140LD. Persons bound to give information or produce documents 140LE. Information on import or export 140LF. Forfeiture of seized copies by consent 140LG. Compulsory release of seized copies to dealer 140LH. Provisions relating to actions for infringement of copyright 140LI. Compensation for failure to take action 140LJ. Retention of control of seized copies 140LK. Disposal of seized copies 140LL. Insufficient security

Division 7 — Powers of Search

140M. Powers of search in relation to vessels, aircrafts and vehicles 140N. Examination of packages

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

140O. Power to remove packages and goods to police station or examination station

140P. Search of persons and baggage 140Q. Powers of authorised officers to enter certain premises 141. Obstruction

Division 8 — Miscellaneous

142. Limitation of actions in respect of infringement of copyright

PART VI

COMPULSORY LICENCES FOR TRANSLATION AND REPRODUCTION OF CERTAIN WORKS

143. [Repealed] 144. [Repealed] 145. [Repealed] 146. [Repealed] 147. [Repealed] 148. [Repealed]

PART VII

Division 1 — Preliminary

149. Interpretation of this Part 150. Cases to which licence schemes apply

Division 2 — Constitution of Tribunal

151. Establishment of Tribunals 151A. Appointment of president, deputy president and members of

Tribunal 151B. Remuneration and allowances 152. Tenure of office 153. Continuation of hearing on change in constitution of Tribunal 154. Quorum 155. Decision of Tribunal 156. Sittings of Tribunal

Division 3 — Inquiries by, and Applications and References to, Tribunal

156A. Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making recording or film of a work

Copyright9 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

156B. Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making copy of sound recording

156C. Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making available to public sound recording by means of digital audio transmission

157. Inquiries into royalty payable in respect of records of musical works

158. Applications to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable to owner of copyright for copies made under statutory licence

159. Applications to Tribunal for apportionment of royalty in respect of a record

160. Reference of proposed licence schemes to Tribunal 161. Reference of existing licence schemes to Tribunal 162. Further reference of licence schemes to Tribunal 163. Application to Tribunal in relation to licences 164. Effect of licence schemes being continued in operation pending

order of Tribunal 165. Effect of order of Tribunal in relation to licences 166. Attorney-General may make application for suspension order 167. Application to revoke suspension orders 168. Interim orders 169. Reference of questions of law to High Court 170. Agreements or awards not affected

Division 4 — Procedure and Evidence

171. Proceedings to be in public except in special circumstances 172. Application may be made to Tribunal by agent of copyright

owner 173. Procedure 174. Mistakes or errors in orders of Tribunal 175. Regulations as to procedure 176. Power to take evidence on oath 177. Evidence in form of written statement 178. Representation

Division 5 — Miscellaneous

179. Protection of members and witnesses 180. Disobedience to summons, etc. 181. Contempt of Tribunal, etc. 182. Cost of proceedings

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

183. Proof of orders of Tribunal

PART VIII

EXTENSION OR RESTRICTION OF THIS ACT

184. Application of this Act to countries other than Singapore 185. Provisions as to international organisations 186. Denial of copyright to citizens of countries not giving adequate

protection to Singapore works

PART IX

FALSE ATTRIBUTION OF AUTHORSHIP

187. Interpretation of this Part 188. Duty not to attribute falsely authorship of work or identity of

performer of performance 189. Duty not to falsely represent altered work or recording of

performance as unaltered 190. Duty not to attribute falsely the authorship of reproduction of

artistic work 191. Breach of duty not committed if act done outside Singapore or

done with permission 192. Action for breach of duty 193. Saving of other rights and remedies

PART IXA

WORKS, OR OTHER SUBJECT-MATTER, IN ELECTRONIC FORM

193A. Interpretation and effect of application of this Part 193B. Transmission, routing and provision of connections 193C. System caching 193D. Storage and information location 193DA. Exemption of network service provider from liability for

removal of copy, etc., from network 193DB. Relief which court may grant 193DC. Evidence of compliance with conditions 193DD. Maker of false notice guilty of offence and liable in damages 193DDA. Order to disable access to flagrantly infringing online

location 193DDB. Application for order under section 193DDA 193DDC. Variation or revocation of order

Copyright11 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

193DE. Regulations 193E. User caching 193F. Transfer of electronic copy of material

PART X

MISCELLANEOUS

194. Assignments and licences in respect of copyright 195. Prospective ownership of copyright 196. Copyright to pass under will with unpublished work 197. Provisions as to Government copyright 198. Use of copyright material for service of Government 199. Reception of broadcasts or cable programmes 200. Groundless threats of legal proceedings 201. Notation of copies, etc. 201A. Immunity of Government, etc. 201B. Offence committed by partnership or body corporate 202. Regulations 203. [Omitted] 204. [Omitted]

PART XI

TRANSITIONAL

Division 1 — Preliminary

205. Interpretation of this Part 206. References to making of works, recordings and films 207. References in other laws or instruments to copyright 208. Authorship of photographs 209. Publication

Division 2 — Original Works

210. Expired copyright not to revive 211. Original works in which copyright subsists 212. Duration of copyright in photographs 213. Ownership of copyright 214. Recording of musical works 215. Publication of artistic works 216. Reconstruction of buildings 217. Industrial designs

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

218. Reproduction of work upon payment of royalties

Division 3 — Subject-Matter other than Works

219. Sound recordings 220. Cinematograph films 221. Application of this Act to dramatic works and photographs

comprised in cinematograph films 222. Television broadcasts and sound broadcasts 223. Published editions of works 224. Cable programmes

Division 4 — Miscellaneous

225. Actions for infringement 226. Actions where copyright subject to exclusive licence 227. Offences 228. Limitation of actions 229. [Omitted] 230. References and applications to Tribunal in relation to licence

schemes 231. Duration of Government copyright in photographs 232. Duration of Government copyright in recordings 233. Government copyright in films 234. Works made or published by international organisations 235. Subject-matter, other than original works, made or published by

international organisations 236. False attribution of authorship of work 237. Assignments and licences 238. Bequests 239. Existing computer programs

Division 5 — Works made before 1st July 1912

240. Interpretation of this Division 241. Application 242. Rights conferred by Copyright Act 1911 243. Performing rights 244. Contributions to periodicals 245. Assignments and licences

Copyright13 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART XII

PERFORMERS’ PROTECTION

Section

246. Interpretation of this Part 247. Educational purposes 248. Exempt recordings cease to be exempt recordings in certain

circumstances 249. Private and domestic use 250. References to inclusion of performance in cable programme

service 251. Application 252. What constitutes unauthorised use 252A. Transmission, routing and provision of connections 252B. System caching 252C. Storage and information location 252CA. Exemption of network service provider from liability for

removal of copy, etc., from network 252CB. Relief which court may grant 252CC. Evidence of compliance with conditions 252CD. Maker of false notice guilty of offence and liable in damages 252CDA. Order to disable access to flagrantly infringing online

location 252CDB. Application for order under section 252CDA 252CDC. Variation or revocation of order 252CE. Regulations 252CF. Effect of application of sections 252A to 252CD 252D. User caching 253. Action for unauthorised use 253A. Presumptions in relation to performance 254. Order for disposal of unauthorised recordings or other object 254A. Offences 254B. Application of sections 140A to 141 255. Rights to bring an action may be assigned 256. Application to foreign countries 257. Denial of protection to citizens of countries not giving adequate

protection to Singapore performances

PART XIII

RIGHTS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

258. Interpretation of this Part

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Section

259. Application of this Part 260. Removal or alteration of rights management information 261. Relief which court may grant 261A. Enforcement measures

PART XIIIA

CIRCUMVENTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES

261B. Interpretation and effect of application of this Part 261C. Circumvention of technological measures 261D. Exceptions to prohibition on circumvention 261E. Exceptions to prohibition on making, etc., circumventing device

and offering circumventing service 261F. Relief which court may grant 261G. Enforcement measures

PART XIV

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS UNDER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) ACT 2004

262. Interpretation of this Part 263. Works published before appointed day 264. Other subject-matter published before appointed day 265. Works and other subject matter published by international

organisations before appointed day 266. Works and other subject matter published by Government before

appointed day 267. Performances given before appointed day

PART XV

SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS UNDER COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) ACT 2004

268. Interpretation of this Part 269. Assignments and licences before appointed day 270. Action for infringement which took place before appointed day 271. Action for unauthorised use before appointed day 272. Action relating to rights management information

The Schedule — False Registration of Industrial Designs

Copyright15 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

An Act relating to copyright and matters related thereto.

[10th April 1987]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Copyright Act.

Application

2. Except insofar as Parts XI and XII otherwise expressly provide, this Act shall apply in relation to things existing on 10th April 1987 in like manner as it applies in relation to things coming into existence after that date.

[38/99]

Application to Government

3. Subject to Part X, this Act shall bind the Government but nothing in this Act shall render the Government liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

4. Subject to the provisions of this Act, no copyright shall subsist otherwise than by virtue of this Act.

Savings of rights of Government, etc.

5. Nothing in this Act shall affect any right or privilege of the Government or any other person under any other written law, except insofar as that law is expressly repealed, amended or modified by this Act.

Operation of other laws

6. Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of the law relating to breaches of trust or confidence.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART II

INTERPRETATION

Interpretation

7.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —

“accessible format” means any format that —

(a) is accessible to a person with a reading disability, including (but not limited to) a large print version, an electronic book, a sound recording, and the format known as Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY); or

(b) is specifically designed to meet the needs of a person with a reading disability, including (but not limited to) a Braille version and photographic version;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“accessible format copy” —

(a) in relation to any work to which section 54 applies, means a copy (whether in an electronic or a physical form) of the work or part of the work in an accessible format; or

(b) in relation to any subject-matter to which section 115C applies, means —

(i) in the case of a sound recording, a copy (whether in an electronic or a physical form) of the sound recording or part of that sound recording in an accessible format; and

(ii) in the case of a sound broadcast, a sound recording or a copy of a sound recording (whether in an electronic or a physical form) of the sound broadcast or part of that sound broadcast, in an accessible format;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“accessory”, in relation to an article, means one or more of the following:

Copyright17 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) a label affixed to, or displayed on, the article;

(b) the packaging or container in which the article is packaged or contained;

(d) a leaflet, pamphlet, certificate, warranty, brochure, written instruction or other information incidental to the article and provided with the article on its sale;

(e) an instructional sound recording or cinematograph film incidental to the article and provided with the article on its sale,

but does not include —

(i) a copy of a work that is incorporated into the surface of the article and is a permanent part of the article;

(ii) a copy of a work that cannot be separated from the article without rendering the article unsuitable for its ordinary use; or

(iii) a manual sold with computer software for use in connection with that software;

“adaptation” —

(a) in relation to a literary work in a non-dramatic form, means a version of the work (whether in its original language or in a different language) in a dramatic form;

(b) in relation to a literary work in a dramatic form, means a version of the work (whether in its original language or in a different language) in a non-dramatic form;

(c) in relation to a literary work being a computer program, means a version of the work (whether or not in the language, code or notation in which the work

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

was originally expressed) not being a reproduction of the work;

(d) in relation to a literary work (whether in a non- dramatic form or dramatic form), means —

(i) a translation of the work; or

(ii) a version of the work in which a story or action is conveyed solely or principally by means of pictures; and

(e) in relation to a musical work, means an arrangement or transcription of the work;

“archives” means —

(a) archival material in the custody of the National Archives of Singapore administered by the National Library Board in accordance with Part IIA of the National Library Board Act (Cap. 197);

[Act 25 of 2012 wef 28/03/2013]

(b) a collection of documents or other material to which this paragraph applies by virtue of subsection (4);

“artistic work” means —

(a) a painting, sculpture, drawing, engraving or photograph, whether the work is of artistic quality or not;

(b) a building or model of a building, whether the building or model is of artistic quality or not; or

but does not include a layout-design or an integrated circuit within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Act (Cap. 159A);

“author”, in relation to a photograph, means the person who took the photograph;

“broadcast” means broadcast by wireless telegraphy, and “broadcasting” shall have a corresponding meaning;

Copyright19 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“broadcasting licence” and “broadcasting licensee” have the same meanings as in section 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act (Cap. 28);

“building” includes a structure of any kind;

“cable programme” means a programme which is included in a cable programme service;

“cable programme service” means a service which consists wholly or mainly in the sending by any person, by means of a telecommunication system (whether run by him or by any other person), of sounds or visual images or both either —

(a) for reception, otherwise than by wireless telegraphy, at 2 or more places in Singapore, whether they are so sent for simultaneous reception or at different times in response to requests made by different users of the service; or

(b) for reception, by whatever means, at a place in Singapore for the purpose of their being presented there either to members of the public or to any group of persons;

“cinematograph film” means the aggregate of visual images embodied in an article or thing so as to be capable by the use of that article or thing —

(a) of being shown as a moving picture; or

(b) of being embodied in another article or thing by the use of which it can be so shown,

and includes the aggregate of the sounds embodied in a sound-track associated with such visual images;

“citizen of Singapore” includes a person who, if he had been alive on 1st November 1957, would have qualified for Singapore citizenship under the Singapore Citizenship Ordinance 1957 (Ord. 35/57);

“communicate”means to transmit by electronic means (whether over a path, or a combination of paths, provided by a material substance or by wireless means or otherwise) a work or other

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

subject-matter, whether or not it is sent in response to a request, and includes —

(a) the broadcasting of a work or other subject-matter;

(b) the inclusion of a work or other subject-matter in a cable programme; and

(c) the making available of a work or other subject- matter (on a network or otherwise) in such a way that the work or subject-matter may be accessed by any person from a place and at a time chosen by him,

and “communication” shall have a corresponding meaning;

“computer program” means an expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions (whether with or without related information) intended, either directly or after either or both of the following:

(a) conversion to another language, code or notation;

(b) reproduction in a different material form,

to cause a device having information processing capabilities to perform a particular function;

“construction” includes erection and “reconstruction” shall have a corresponding meaning;

“conveyance” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act (Cap. 272A);

“copy”, in relation to a cinematograph film, means any article or thing in which the visual images or sounds comprising the film are embodied;

“Copyright Act 1911” means the Copyright Act 1911* of the United Kingdom (U.K. 1911 c. 46) insofar as it has effect as part of the law of Singapore;

“Copyright Tribunal” or “Tribunal” means any Copyright Tribunal established under Part VII;

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

*Repealed by section 203 of the Copyright Act 1987 (Act 2 of 1987), which is omitted in this Edition.

Copyright21 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“digital audio transmission” means a transmission of a sound recording, in whole or in part, in a digital or other non- analogue form;

“dramatic work” includes —

(a) a choreographic show or other dumb show if described in writing in the form in which the show is to be presented; and

(b) a scenario or script for a cinematograph film,

but does not include a cinematograph film as distinct from the scenario or script for a cinematograph film;

“drawing” includes any diagram, map, chart or plan;

“educational institution” means —

(a) a school or similar institution at which one or more of the following is provided:

(i) full-time primary education;

(ii) full-time secondary education;

(iii) full-time pre-university education;

(iv) such other full-time education as may be prescribed by regulations made under this Act;

(b) a junior college, a university, a college of advanced education or a technical and further education institution;

(c) an institution that conducts courses of primary, secondary, pre-university or tertiary education by correspondence or on an external study basis;

(d) a school of nursing;

(e) an undertaking within a hospital, being an undertaking that conducts courses of study or training in —

(i) the provision of medical services; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) the provision of services incidental to the provision of medical services;

(f) a teacher education centre;

(g) an institution that has, as its principal function, the provision of courses of study or training for the purpose of —

(i) general education;

(ii) the preparation of persons for a particular occupation or profession; or

(iii) the continuing education of persons engaged in a particular occupation or profession;

(h) such other institution at which education is provided as may be declared by regulations made under this Act to be an institution to which this paragraph applies;

(i) an undertaking within a body administering an educational institution of a kind referred to in paragraphs (a) to (h), being an undertaking that has as its principal function, or as one of its principal functions, the provision of teacher training for persons engaged as instructors in educational institutions of such a kind, or of 2 or more such kinds;

(j) an institution, or an undertaking within a body administering an educational institution of a kind referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i), being an institution or undertaking that has as its principal function, or as one of its principal functions, the furnishing of materials to educational institutions of a kind referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i), or to educational institutions of 2 or more such kinds, for the purpose of assisting those institutions in their teaching purposes,

but does not include an institution that is conducted for the profit, direct or indirect, of an individual or individuals;

Copyright23 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“electronic copy”, in relation to any work or other subject- matter, means a copy of the work or subject-matter in an electronic form;

“engraving” includes an etching, lithograph, product of photogravure, woodcut, print or similar work, not being a photograph;

“exclusive licence” means a licence in writing, signed by or on behalf of the owner or prospective owner of copyright, authorising the licensee, to the exclusion of all other persons, to do an act that, by virtue of this Act, the owner of the copyright would, but for the licence, have the exclusive right to do, and “exclusive licensee” shall have a corresponding meaning;

“foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities” means an institution —

(a) that has as its principal function, or one of its principal functions, the provision of works or other subject-matter to persons with reading disabilities; and

(b) that is formed, incorporated or established outside Singapore;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“future copyright” means copyright to come into existence at a future time or upon the happening of a future event;

[Deleted by Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“infringing copy” —

(a) in relation to a work, means a reproduction of the work, or of an adaptation of the work, not being a copy of a cinematograph film of the work or adaptation;

(b) in relation to a sound recording, means a copy of the sound recording not being a sound-track associated with visual images forming part of a cinematograph film;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) in relation to a television broadcast, sound broadcast or cable programme, means a copy of a cinematograph film of the broadcast or programme or a record embodying a sound recording of the broadcast or programme; and

(e) in relation to a published edition of a work, means a reproduction of the edition,

being an article the making of which constituted an infringement of the copyright in the work, recording, film, broadcast, programme or edition or, in the case of an article imported without the licence of the owner of the copyright, the making of which was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright;

“institution” includes an educational institution;

[Deleted by Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers” means —

(a) any educational institution; or

(b) any non-profit organisation,

that has as its principal function, or one of its principal functions, the provision of assistance to intellectually handicapped persons and that is declared by regulations made under this Act to be, for the purposes of this Act, an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers;

“institution assisting persons with reading disabilities”means an institution —

(a) that has as its principal function, or one of its principal functions, the provision of works or other subject-matter to persons with reading disabilities;

(b) that is formed, incorporated or established in Singapore; and

Copyright25 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) that is declared by regulations made under this Act to be an institution for assisting persons with reading disabilities;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“international organisation to which this Act applies” means an organisation that is declared by the regulations made for the purposes of section 185 to be an international organisation to which this Act applies, and includes —

(a) an organ of, or office within, an organisation that is so declared; and

(b) a commission, council or other body established by such an organisation or organ;

“judicial proceeding” means a proceeding before any court, tribunal or person having by law power to hear, receive and examine evidence on oath;

“manuscript”, in relation to a work, means an original document embodying the work, whether written by hand or not;

“minimum royalty”, in relation to a record, means the amounts applicable in respect of the record under sections 57(3) and 58(b)(i) or, if those provisions are affected by regulations made for the purposes of section 59, under those provisions as so affected;

“National Library Board” means the National Library Board established by the National Library Board Act;

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

“non-physical product” has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Registered Designs Act (Cap. 266);

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

“non-profit organisation” means an organisation or association or persons, whether corporate or unincorporate, that is not operated or conducted for profit;

“Office” means the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore incorporated under the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Act (Cap. 140);

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“online material” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the National Library Board Act;

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

“person with a reading disability” means —

(a) a blind person;

(b) a person whose sight is severely impaired;

(d) a person with a perceptual handicap; [Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

“photograph” means a product of photography or of a process similar to photography, other than an article or thing in which visual images forming part of a cinematograph film have been embodied, and includes a product of xerography, and “photography” shall have a corresponding meaning;

“plate” includes a stereotype, stone, block, mould, matrix, transfer, negative or other similar appliance;

“programme”, in relation to a cable programme service, includes any item included in that service;

“prospective owner” —

(a) in relation to a future copyright that is not the subject of an agreement of a kind referred to in section 195(1), means the person who will be the owner of the copyright on its coming into existence; or

(b) in relation to a future copyright that is the subject of such an agreement, means the person in whom, by virtue of that section, the copyright will vest on its coming into existence;

“receiving apparatus” means any device or equipment the operation of which, either alone or together with any other device or equipment, enables people to hear or see a work or other subject-matter that is communicated;

Copyright27 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“record” means a disc, tape, paper or other device in which sounds are embodied;

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act;

“re-transmission”, in relation to a broadcast, means a re- transmission of the broadcast without altering the contents of the broadcast, whether the re-transmission is simultaneous with the original transmission or whether the technique that is used to achieve the re-transmission is different from that used to achieve the original transmission;

“royalty”, in relation to a record, means the amount applicable in respect of the record under section 57(1) or, if that provision is affected by regulations made for the purposes of section 59, under that provision so affected;

“sculpture” includes a cast or model made for purposes of sculpture;

“simulcasting”, in relation to a work, an adaptation of a work, a sound recording or a cinematograph film, means simultaneously broadcasting the work, adaptation, recording or film in both analogue form and digital form;

“Singapore website” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the National Library Board Act;

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

“sound broadcast” means sounds broadcast otherwise than as part of a television broadcast;

“sound recording” means the aggregate of the sounds embodied in a record;

“sound-track”, in relation to visual images forming part of a cinematograph film, means —

(a) the part of any article or thing (being an article or thing in which those visual images are embodied) in which sounds are embodied; or

(b) a disc, tape or other device in which sounds are embodied and which is made available by the maker

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

of the film for use in conjunction with the article or thing in which those visual images are embodied;

“sufficient acknowledgment”, in relation to a work, means an acknowledgment identifying the work by its title or other description and, unless the work is anonymous or pseudonymous or the author has previously agreed or directed that an acknowledgment of his name is not to be made, also identifying the author;

“telecommunication apparatus” means apparatus constructed or adapted for use in transmitting or receiving —

(a) speech, music and other sounds;

(b) visual images;

(c) signals serving for the impartation (whether as between persons and persons, things and things or persons and things) of any matter otherwise than in the form of sounds or visual images; or

(d) signals serving for the actuation or control of machinery or apparatus,

which is to be or has been conveyed by means of a telecommunication system;

“telecommunication system” means a system for the conveyance, through the agency of electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical energy, of —

(a) speech, music and other sounds;

(b) visual images;

(c) signals serving for the impartation (whether as between persons and persons, things and things or persons and things) of any matter otherwise than in the form of sounds or visual images; or

(d) signals serving for the actuation or control of machinery or apparatus;

Copyright29 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“television broadcast”means visual images broadcast by way of television, together with any sounds broadcast for reception along with those images;

“wireless telegraphy” means the emitting or receiving, otherwise than over a path that is provided by a material substance, of electro-magnetic energy;

“wireless telegraphy apparatus” means an appliance or apparatus for the purpose of transmitting or receiving sounds or visual images by means of wireless telegraphy;

“will” includes a codicil;

“work” means a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work;

“work of joint authorship”means a work that has been produced by the collaboration of 2 or more authors and in which the contribution of each author is not separate from the contribution of the other author or the contributions of other authors;

“writing” means a mode of representing or reproducing words, figures or symbols in a visible form, and “written” shall have a corresponding meaning.

[14/94; 15/94; 6/98; 3/99; 38/99; 3/2001; 34/2002; 52/2004]

(1A) Without limiting the meaning of the expression “educational purposes” in this Act, a copy of the whole or a part of a work or other subject-matter shall be taken to have been made, used or retained, as the case may be, for the educational purposes of an educational institution if —

(a) it is made or retained for use, or is used, in connection with a particular course of instruction provided by the institution; or

(b) it is made or retained for inclusion, or is included, in the collection of a library of the institution.

[6/98]

(1B) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of “accessible format” in subsection (1), something is in photographic version if it is produced as a film-strip or series of separate

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

transparencies designed to meet the needs of persons with a reading disability.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(2) Without limiting the meaning of the expression “reasonable portion” in this Act, where a literary, dramatic or musical work is contained in a published edition of that work, being an edition of not less than 10 pages, a copy of part of that work, as it appears in that edition, shall be taken to contain only a reasonable portion of that work if the pages that are copied in the edition —

(a) do not exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the number of pages in that edition; or

(b) in a case where the work is divided into chapters — exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the number of pages in that edition but contain only the whole or part of a single chapter of the work.

(2A) Without limiting the meaning of the expression “reasonable portion” in this Act, where a literary, dramatic or musical work is contained in a published edition of that work, being an edition which is stored on any medium by electronic means and is not divided into pages, a copy of part of that work, as it appears in that edition, shall be taken to contain only a reasonable portion of that work if the part that is copied in the edition —

(a) does not exceed, in the aggregate —

(i) 10% of the total number of bytes in that edition; or

(ii) 10% of the total number of words in that edition or, where it is not practicable to use the total number of words as a measure, 10% of the contents of that edition; or

(b) in a case where the work is divided into chapters, exceeds, in the aggregate —

(i) 10% of the total number of bytes in that edition; or

(ii) 10% of the total number of words in that edition or, where it is not practicable to use the total number of

Copyright31 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

words as a measure, 10% of the contents of that edition,

but contains only the whole or part of a single chapter of the work.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(3) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears —

(a) a reference to the body administering an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers shall be read as —

(i) in a case where the institution is a body corporate, a reference to the institution; or

(ii) in any other case, a reference to the body or person (including the Government) having ultimate responsibility for the administration of the institution;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) a reference to the body administering a library or archives shall be read as a reference to the body (whether incorporated or not), or the person (including the Government), having ultimate responsibility for the administration of the library or archives;

(c) a reference to a copy of a sound recording shall be read as a reference to a record embodying a sound recording or a substantial part of a sound recording being a record derived, directly or indirectly, from a record produced upon the making of a sound recording;

(d) a reference to the copying records of an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers shall be read as a reference to the collection of —

(i) the relevant records in respect of copies of articles and other works made by or on behalf of the body

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

administering the institution in reliance on section 52;

(ii) the relevant records in respect of copies of articles and other works made by or on behalf of the body administering the institution in reliance on section 54;

(iii) the relevant records in respect of copies of articles and other works made by or on behalf of the body administering the institution in reliance on section 54A,

other than any such records as have been duly destroyed by, or by authority of, the body administering that institution;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(e) a reference to the custodian in charge of the copying records of an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers shall be read as a reference to the person having responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the institution;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(f) a reference to the making, by reprographic reproduction, of a copy of a document, or of the whole or a part of a work, shall be read as a reference to the making of a facsimile copy of the document or the whole or that part of the work, being a facsimile copy of any size or form;

(g) a reference to a copy of a work or other subject-matter, or of a part of a work or other subject-matter, for a person with a reading disability shall be read as a reference to an accessible format copy of the work or subject-matter —

(i) made, on a non-profit basis, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, for use by a person with a reading disability for a

Copyright33 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

permitted purpose within the meaning of section 54; and

(ii) made available or distributed, on a non-profit basis, to a person with a reading disability for use by him for any of those permitted purposes;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(h) a reference to an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy of a work, or of a part of a work, shall be read as a reference to a copy of a work, or of a part of a work, as the case may be, made by, or on behalf of, the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped persons, being a copy that is made for the sole purpose of use in the provision, whether by the institution or otherwise, of assistance to any intellectually handicapped person;

(i) a reference to a microform copy of the whole or a part of a work shall be read as a reference to a copy of the whole or part of the work produced by miniaturizing the graphic symbols of which the work is composed;

(j) a reference to a periodical publication shall be read as a reference to an issue of a periodical publication and a reference to articles contained in the same periodical publication shall be read as a reference to articles contained in the same issue of that periodical publication;

(k) a reference to a record embodying a sound recording shall be read as a reference to —

(i) a record produced upon the making of a sound recording; or

(ii) another record embodying the sound recording, directly or indirectly, derived from a record so produced;

(l) a reference to a relevant record, or a relevant declaration, in relation to the making, in reliance on a particular section—

(i) of a copy, a copy for a person with a reading disability, or an intellectually handicapped reader’s

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

copy, of the whole or a part of a work or other subject-matter; or

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(ii) of a copy of a sound recording,

shall be read as a reference to any record or declaration of a kind referred to in that section that is required by this Act to be made in relation to the making of that copy.

[6/98; 38/99]

(4) Where —

(a) a collection of documents or other material of historical significance or public interest that is in the custody of a body, whether corporate or unincorporate, is being maintained by the body for the purpose of conserving and preserving those documents or other material; and

(b) the body does not maintain and operate the collection for the purpose of deriving a profit,

paragraph (b) of the definition of “archives” in subsection (1) shall apply to that collection.

(5) For the purposes of this Act, telecommunication apparatus which is situated in Singapore and —

(a) is connected to but not comprised in a telecommunication system; or

(b) is connected to and comprised in a telecommunication system which extends beyond Singapore,

shall be regarded as a telecommunication system and any person who controls the apparatus shall be regarded as running the system.

(6) In this Act, an accessible format copy is made available to a person with a reading disability or a foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities if the copy is made available to —

(a) the person with a reading disability; or

(b) a person having responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the institution or another person authorised by the person having such responsibility,

Copyright35 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

on a network or otherwise, in such a way that the copy may be accessed by the person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (as the case may be) from a place and at a time chosen by the person.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

Literary works include compilation and computer program

7A.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, “literary work” includes —

(a) a compilation in any form; and

(b) a computer program. [38/99]

(2) Any copyright subsisting in a compilation by virtue of Part III —

(a) is limited to the selection or arrangement of its contents which constitutes an intellectual creation; and

(b) is in addition to, and independent of, any right subsisting by virtue of Part III, IV or XII in any relevant material or data contained in the compilation.

[38/99]

(3) For the purposes of this section —

“compilation” means —

(a) a compilation, or table, consisting wholly of relevant materials or parts of relevant materials;

(b) a compilation, or table, consisting partly of relevant materials or parts of relevant materials; or

which, by reason of the selection or arrangement of its contents, constitutes an intellectual creation;

“relevant material” means —

(a) a work, including a computer program;

(b) a sound recording;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) a published edition of a work;

(e) a television or sound broadcast;

(f) a cable programme; or

(g) a recording of a performance within the meaning of Part XII.

[38/99]

Residence

8.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, a “person resident in Singapore” includes a person who, at the material time, is residing in Singapore by virtue of a valid pass lawfully issued to him under the Immigration Act (Cap. 133) to enter and remain in Singapore for any purpose otherwise than for a temporary purpose.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person who, at a material time, was ordinarily resident in a country (including Singapore) but was temporarily absent from that country shall be treated as if he had been resident in that country at that time.

Acts comprised in copyright

9.—(1) A reference in this Act to an act comprised in the copyright in a work or other subject-matter shall be read as a reference to any act that, under this Act, the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to do.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, the exclusive right to do an act in relation to a work, an adaptation of a work or any other subject-matter includes the exclusive right to authorise a person to do that act in relation to that work, adaptation or other subject-matter.

Acts done in relation to substantial part of work or other subject-matter deemed to be done in relation to the whole

10.—(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears —

(a) a reference to the doing of an act in relation to a work or other subject-matter shall be read as including a reference to the doing of that act in relation to a substantial part of the work or other subject-matter; and

Copyright37 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) a reference to a reproduction, adaptation or copy of a work shall be read as including a reference to a reproduction, adaptation or copy of a substantial part of the work, as the case may be.

(2) This section shall not affect the interpretation of any reference in sections 27, 185, 196 and 197 to the publication, or absence of publication, of a work.

References to acts done with licence of owner of copyright

11. For the purposes of this Act, an act shall be deemed to have been done with the licence of the owner of a copyright if the doing of the act was authorised by a licence binding the owner of the copyright.

References to partial assignment of copyright

12. A reference in this Act to a partial assignment of copyright shall be read as a reference to an assignment of copyright that is limited in any way.

Libraries established or conducted for profit

13. For the purposes of this Act, a library shall not be taken to be established or conducted for profit by reason only that the library is owned by a person carrying on business for profit.

Names under which work is published

14.—(1) A reference in this Act to the name or names under which a work was published shall be read as a reference to the name or names specified in the work as the name of the author or the names of the authors of the work.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a publication of a work under 2 or more names shall not be taken to be pseudonymous unless all those names are pseudonyms.

Reproduction of works

15.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, reproduction, in the case of a literary, dramatic or musical work, includes a reproduction in the form of a sound recording or cinematograph film of the work, and any

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

record embodying such a recording and any copy of such a film shall be deemed to be a reproduction of the work.

(1A) For the purposes of this Act, reproduction, in relation to any work, includes the making of a copy which is transient or is incidental to some other use of the work.

[38/99]

(1B) Without limiting the meaning of the term “reproduced”, for the purposes of this Act, a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, including a reproduction of such work in the form of a sound recording or cinematograph film, is reproduced if it is converted into or from a digital or other electronic machine-readable form, and any article embodying the work or reproduction of the work in such a form is taken to be a reproduction of the work.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsections (1), (1A) and (1B) shall apply in relation to an adaptation of a work in like manner as it applies in relation to a work.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(3) For the purposes of this Act, an artistic work shall be deemed to have been reproduced —

(a) in the case of a work in a 2-dimensional form — if a version of the work is produced in a 3-dimensional form; or

(b) in the case of a work in a 3-dimensional form — if a version of the work is produced in a 2-dimensional form,

and the version of the work so produced shall be deemed to be a reproduction of the work.

(4) Subsection (3) shall have effect subject to Division 9 of Part III.

Provisions relating to the making of a work or other subject- matter

16.—(1) A reference in this Act to the time when, or the period during which, a literary, dramatic or musical work was made shall be read as a reference to the time when, or the period during which, as the case may be, the work was first reduced to writing or to some other material form.

Copyright39 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a literary, dramatic or musical work that exists in the form of sounds embodied in an article or thing shall be deemed to have been reduced to a material form and to have been so reduced at the time when those sounds were embodied in that article or thing.

(3) For the purposes of this Act —

(a) a sound recording shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the first record embodying the recording was produced; and

(b) the maker of the sound recording is the person who owned that record at that time.

(4) For the purposes of this Act —

(a) a reference to the making of a cinematograph film shall be read as a reference to the doing of the things necessary for the production of the first copy of the film; and

(b) the maker of the cinematograph film is the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the making of the film were undertaken.

(5) For the purposes of this Act, a television broadcast or sound broadcast shall be deemed to have been made by the person by whom, at the time when, and from the place from which —

(a) the visual images or sounds in question, or both, as the case may be, are broadcast; or

(b) in the case of a television broadcast or sound broadcast made by the technique known as direct broadcasting by satellite, the visual images or sounds in question, or both, as the case may be, are transmitted to the satellite transponder.

(6) For the purposes of this Act, a communication other than a broadcast is taken to have been made by the person responsible for determining the content of the communication at the time the communication is made.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Storage in computer or on any other medium

17. References in this Act to the reduction of any work or of an adaptation of a work to a material form, or to the reproduction of any work or of an adaptation of a work in a material form, shall include references to the storage of that work or adaptation —

(a) in a computer;

(b) on any medium by electronic means; or

(c) on any other medium from which the work or adaptation, or a substantial part of the work or adaptation, can be directly reproduced.

[38/99; 52/2004]

Sound recordings and records

18.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, sounds embodied in a sound- track associated with visual images forming part of a cinematograph film shall be deemed not to be a sound recording.

(2) A reference in this Act to a record of a work or other subject- matter shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be read as a reference to a record by means of which the work or other subject- matter can be performed.

References to sounds and visual images embodied in an article

19. For the purposes of this Act, sounds or visual images shall be taken to have been embodied in an article or thing if the article or thing has been so treated in relation to those sounds or visual images that those sounds or visual images are capable, with or without the aid of some other device, of being reproduced from the article or thing.

Provisions relating to broadcasting

20.—(1) A reference in this Act to broadcasting shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be read as a reference to broadcasting whether by way of sound broadcasting or of television.

(2) A reference in this Act to the doing of an act by the reception of a television broadcast or sound broadcast shall be read as a reference to the doing of that act by means of receiving a broadcast from —

Copyright41 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the transmission by which the broadcast is made; or

(b) a transmission made otherwise than by way of broadcasting, but simultaneously with the transmission referred to in paragraph (a),

whether the reception of the broadcast is directly from the transmission concerned or from re-transmission made by any person from any place.

(3) Where a record embodying a sound recording or a copy of a cinematograph film is used for the purpose of making a broadcast (referred to in this subsection as the primary broadcast), a person who makes a broadcast (referred to in this subsection as the secondary broadcast) by receiving and simultaneously making a further transmission of —

(a) the transmission by which the primary broadcast was made; or

(b) a transmission made otherwise than by way of broadcasting but simultaneously with the transmission referred to in paragraph (a),

shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed not to have used the record or copy for the purpose of making the secondary broadcast.

(4) In this Act —

(a) a reference to a cinematograph film of a television broadcast shall be read as including a reference to a cinematograph film, or a photograph, of any of the visual images comprised in the broadcast; and

(b) a reference to a copy of a cinematograph film of a television broadcast shall be read as including a reference to a copy of a cinematograph film, or a reproduction of a photograph, of any of those images.

(5) In this section, “re-transmission” means any re-transmission, whether over paths provided by a material substance or not, and includes a re-transmission made by making use of any article or thing in which the visual images or sounds constituting the broadcast, or both, as the case may be, have been embodied.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Cable programmes

21.—(1) A reference in this Act to the inclusion of a programme in a cable programme service is a reference to its inclusion in such a service by the person providing that service.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, no account shall be taken of a cable programme service if, and to the extent that, it is provided for a person providing another such service.

[15/94]

(3) Where a service of distributing matter over wires or over other paths provided by a material substance is only incidental to, or part of, a service of transmitting telegraphic or telephonic communications, a subscriber to the last-mentioned service shall be taken, for the purposes of this section, to be a subscriber to the first-mentioned service.

Performance

22.—(1) Subject to this section, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference in this Act to “performance” shall —

(a) be read as including a reference to any mode of visual or aural presentation, whether the presentation is by the use of any receiving apparatus, by the exhibition of a cinematograph film, by the use of a record or by any other means; and

(b) in relation to a lecture, an address, a speech or a sermon, be read as including a reference to delivery,

and a reference in this Act to performing a work or an adaptation of a work shall have a corresponding meaning.

[52/2004]

(2) For the purpose of this Act, the communication of a work or other subject-matter to the public shall not —

(a) constitute a performance; or

(b) amount to causing visual images to be seen or sounds to be heard.

[52/2004]

Copyright43 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) For the purposes of this Act, where visual images are displayed or sounds are emitted by any receiving apparatus to which they are communicated, the operation of any device or equipment by which the images or sounds are communicated, directly or indirectly, to the receiving apparatus does not constitute a performance or amount to causing images to be seen or sounds to be heard but, insofar as the display of the images or emission of the sounds constitutes a performance, or causes the images to be seen or the sounds to be heard, the performance, or the causing of the images to be seen or sounds to be heard, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be effected by the operation of the receiving apparatus.

[52/2004]

(4) Without prejudice to subsections (2) and (3), where a work or an adaptation of a work is performed or visual images are caused to be seen or sounds to be heard by the operation of any device or equipment referred to in subsection (3) or of any device or equipment for reproducing sounds by the use of a record, being device or equipment provided by or with the consent of the occupier of the premises where the device or equipment is situated, the occupier of those premises shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be the person giving the performance or causing the images to be seen or the sounds to be heard, whether he is the person operating the device or equipment or not.

[52/2004]

Performance of works or other subject-matter by students or staff of educational institution, etc.

23.—(1) Where a musical work is performed by the students or staff of an educational institution in the premises of the institution or elsewhere in the presence of an audience and is so performed in the course of the activities of the institution, the performance shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed not to be a performance in public.

[52/2004]

(2) Where a literary or dramatic work is performed by the students or staff of an educational institution in the premises of the institution or elsewhere in the presence of an audience and is so performed in the course of the activities of the institution, the performance shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed not to be a performance in public

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

if the audience is limited to persons who are taking part in the instruction or are otherwise directly connected with the place where the instruction is given.

[52/2004]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a person shall be deemed to be directly connected with a place where instruction is given if he is a parent, guardian, brother or sister of a student who receives instruction at that place.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) shall apply in relation to cinematograph films, broadcasts, cable programmes and recordings of performances in like manner as they apply in relation to literary and dramatic works but, in the application of those subsections in relation to such films, broadcasts, cable programmes or recordings, any reference to the performance of the work shall be read as a reference to the act of causing the sounds concerned to be heard or the visual images concerned to be seen.

[52/2004]

(5) For the purposes of this section, the staff of an educational institution shall include —

(a) any adjunct staff of the educational institution; and

(b) any person engaged by the educational institution to conduct any course of instruction, activity or programme of or offered by the educational institution.

[52/2004]

Publication

24.—(1) Subject to this section, for the purposes of this Act —

(a) a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or an edition of such a work, shall be deemed to have been published if, but only if, reproductions of the work or an edition of that work have been supplied (whether by sale or otherwise) to the public;

(b) a cinematograph film shall be deemed to have been published if, but only if, copies of the film have been sold, let on hire, or offered or exposed for sale or hire, to the public; and

Copyright45 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) a sound recording shall be deemed to have been published if, but only if, records embodying the recording or a part of the recording have been supplied (whether by sale or otherwise) to the public.

(2) In determining, for the purposes of subsection (1)(a), whether reproductions of a work or an edition of that work have been supplied to the public, section 10 shall not apply.

(3) For the purposes of this Act —

(a) the performance of a literary, dramatic or musical work;

(b) the supplying (whether by sale or otherwise) to the public of records of a literary, dramatic or musical work;

(d) the construction of a building or of a model of a building; or

(e) the supplying (whether by sale or otherwise) to the public of photographs or engravings of a building, of a model of a building or of a sculpture,

shall not constitute publication of the work.

(4) A publication that is merely colourable and is not intended to satisfy the reasonable requirements of the public shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act except insofar as it may constitute an infringement of copyright or a breach of a duty under Part IX.

(5) For the purposes of this Act, a publication in Singapore or in any other country shall not be treated as being other than the first publication by reason only of an earlier publication elsewhere, if the 2 publications took place within a period of not more than 30 days.

(6) In determining, for the purposes of any provision of this Act whether —

(a) a work or other subject-matter has been published;

(b) a publication of a work or other subject-matter was the first publication of the work or other subject-matter; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

any unauthorised publication or the doing of any other unauthorised act shall be disregarded.

(7) Subject to section 49, a publication or other act shall, for the purposes of subsection (6), be taken to have been unauthorised if, but only if —

(a) copyright subsisted in the work or other subject-matter and the act concerned was done otherwise than by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright; or

(b) copyright did not subsist in the work or other subject- matter and the act concerned was done otherwise than by, or with the licence of —

(i) the author or, in the case of a sound recording, cinematograph film or edition of a work, the maker or publisher, as the case may be; or

(ii) persons lawfully claiming under the author, maker or publisher.

(8) Nothing in subsections (6) and (7) shall affect any provision of this Act relating to the acts comprised in a copyright or to acts constituting infringements of copyrights or any of the provisions of Part IX.

Ownership of copyright for particular purposes

25.—(1) In the case of a copyright of which (whether as a result of a partial assignment or otherwise) different persons are the owners in respect of its application to —

(a) the doing of different acts or classes of acts; or

(b) the doing of one or more acts or classes of acts in different countries or at different times,

the owner of the copyright, for any purpose of this Act, shall be deemed to be the person who is the owner of the copyright in respect of its application to the doing of the particular act or class of acts, or to the doing of the particular act or class of acts in the particular country

Copyright47 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

or at the particular time, as the case may be, that is relevant to that purpose, and a reference in this Act to the prospective owner of a future copyright of which different persons are the prospective owners shall have a corresponding meaning.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), where under any provision of this Act a question arises whether an article of any description has been imported or sold, or otherwise dealt with, without the licence of the owner of any copyright, the owner of the copyright, for the purpose of determining that question, shall be taken to be the person entitled to the copyright in respect of its application to the making of articles of that description in the country into which the article was imported, or, as the case may be, in which it was sold or otherwise dealt with.

(3) Where reference is made in this Act to an imported article the making of which was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright, the reference to the owner of the copyright shall be read as a reference to —

(a) the person entitled to the copyright in respect of its application to the making of an article of that description in the country where the article was made; or

(b) if there is no person entitled to the copyright in respect of its application to the making of an article of that description in the country where the article was made, the person entitled to the copyright in respect of that application in Singapore.

(4) The making of the article shall be deemed to have been carried out with the consent of the owner referred to in subsection (3) if, after disregarding all conditions as to the sale, distribution or other dealings in the article after its making, the article was made with his licence (other than a compulsory licence).

[14/94]

Commercial rental arrangement

25A.—(1) In this Act, “commercial rental arrangement”, in relation to a sound recording or a computer program, signifies an arrangement that has the following features:

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) regardless of the way in which the arrangement is expressed, it is in substance an arrangement under which a copy of the sound recording or computer program is made available by a person on terms that it will or may be returned to the person;

(b) the arrangement is made in the course of the conduct of a business; and

(i) for payment in money or money’s worth; or

(ii) as part of the provision of a service for which payment in money or money’s worth is to be made.

[6/98]

(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), an arrangement shall not be regarded as a commercial rental arrangement if, regardless of the way in which the arrangement is expressed, it is an arrangement for the lending of a copy of a sound recording or computer program under which the amount payable is intended to be no more than —

(a) the amount necessary to recover the costs, including overheads, of the arrangement; or

(b) a deposit to secure the return of the copy. [6/98]

PART III

Division 1— Nature, Duration and Ownership of Copyright in Works

Nature of copyright in original works

26.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a work, is the exclusive right —

(a) in the case of a literary, dramatic or musical work, to do all or any of the following acts:

Copyright49 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) to reproduce the work in a material form;

(ii) to publish the work if the work is unpublished;

(iii) to perform the work in public;

(iv) to communicate the work to the public;

(v) to make an adaptation of the work;

(vi) to do, in relation to a work that is an adaptation of the first-mentioned work, any of the acts specified in relation to the first-mentioned work in sub-paragraphs (i) to (v);

(b) in the case of an artistic work, to do all or any of the following acts:

(i) to reproduce the work in a material form;

(ii) to publish the work in Singapore or any country in relation to which this Act applies, if the work is unpublished;

(iii) to communicate the work to the public; and

(c) in the case of a computer program, to enter into a commercial rental arrangement in respect of the program unless the program is not the essential object of the rental.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1)(c) shall not extend to entry into a commercial rental arrangement in respect of a machine or device in which a computer program is embodied if the program is not able to be copied in the course of the ordinary use of the machine or device.

[6/98]

(3) The reference in subsection (2) to a device shall not include a device of a kind ordinarily used to store computer programs, such as a floppy disc, a device of the kind commonly known as a CD ROM, or an integrated circuit.

[6/98]

(4) Subsection (1)(c) shall not extend to entry into a commercial rental arrangement in respect of a computer program if —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the copy of the computer program, not being an infringing copy, was purchased by a person (referred to in this subsection as the program owner) before 16th April 1998;

(b) the commercial rental arrangement is entered into in the ordinary course of a business conducted by the program owner; and

(c) the program owner was conducting the same business, or another business that consisted of, or included, the making of commercial rental arrangements in respect of computer programs, when the copy was purchased.

[6/98]

Original works in which copyright subsists

27.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in an original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work that is unpublished and of which the author —

(a) was a qualified person at the time when the work was made; or

(b) if the making of the work extended over a period — was a qualified person for a substantial part of that period.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, where an original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work has been published —

(a) copyright shall subsist in the work; or

(b) if copyright in the work subsisted immediately before its first publication, copyright shall continue to subsist in the work,

if, but only if —

(d) the author of the work was a qualified person at the time when the work was first published; or

(e) the author died before that time but was a qualified person immediately before his death.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) but subject to the remaining provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in —

Copyright51 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) an original artistic work that is a building situated in Singapore; or

(b) an original artistic work that is attached to, or forms part of, such a building.

(4) In this section, “qualified person” means a citizen of Singapore or a person resident in Singapore.

Duration of copyright in original works

28.—(1) This section shall have effect subject to sections 27(2) and 29.

(2) Subject to this section, where, by virtue of this Part, copyright subsists in a literary, dramatic or musical work, or in an artistic work other than a photograph, that copyright shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the author of the work died.

[21/2004]

(3) If, before the death of the author of a literary, dramatic or musical work —

(a) the work had not been published;

(b) the work had not been performed in public;

(d) the work had not been included in a cable programme; and

(e) records of the work had not been offered or exposed for sale to the public,

the copyright in the work shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the work is first published, performed in public, or broadcast, or included in a cable programme, or records of the work are first offered or exposed for sale to the public, whichever is the earliest of those events to happen.

[21/2004]

(4) A reference in subsection (3) to the doing of an act in relation to a work shall be read as including a reference to the doing of that act in relation to an adaptation of the work.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(5) If, before the death of the author of an engraving, the engraving had not been published, the copyright in the engraving shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the engraving is first published.

[21/2004]

(6) Copyright subsisting in a photograph by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the photograph is first published.

[21/2004]

Duration of copyright in anonymous and pseudonymous work

29.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), where the first publication of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or of an artistic work other than a photograph, is anonymous or pseudonymous, section 28 shall not apply in relation to the work but any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of the period of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the work was first published.

[21/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a work if at any time before the expiration of the period referred to in that subsection, the identity of the author of the work is generally known or can be ascertained by reasonable inquiry.

Ownership of copyright in original works

30.—(1) This section shall have effect subject to Part X.

(2) Subject to this section, the author of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work shall be entitled to any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part.

(3) The operation of subsection (4), (5) or (6) in relation to copyright in a particular work may be excluded or modified by agreement.

(4) Where a literary, dramatic or artistic work is made by the author in pursuance of the terms of his employment by the proprietor of a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical under a contract of service or apprenticeship and is so made for the purpose of publication in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical, the proprietor shall be

Copyright53 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

entitled to any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part insofar as the copyright relates to —

(a) publication of the work in any newspaper, magazine or similar periodical; or

(b) reproduction of the work for the purpose of its being so published,

but not otherwise.

(5) Subject to subsection (4), where —

(a) a person makes, for valuable consideration, an agreement with another person for the taking of a photograph, the painting or drawing of a portrait or the making of an engraving by the other person; and

(b) the work is made in pursuance of the agreement,

the first-mentioned person shall be entitled to any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part, except that if the work is required for any particular purpose, that purpose shall be communicated to that other person and that other person shall be entitled to restrain the doing, otherwise than for that particular purpose, of any act comprised in the copyright in the work.

(6) Where a literary, dramatic or artistic work to which subsections (4) and (5) do not apply, or a musical work, is made by the author in pursuance of the terms of his employment by another person under a contract of service or apprenticeship, that other person shall be entitled to any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part.

Division 2 — Infringement of Copyright In Works

Infringement by doing acts comprised in copyright

31.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is infringed by a person who, not being the owner of the copyright, and without the licence of the owner of the copyright, does in Singapore, or authorises the doing in Singapore of, any act comprised in the copyright.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Sections 32 to 34 shall not affect the generality of subsection (1).

Infringement by importation for sale or hire

32. The copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is infringed by a person who, without the licence of the owner of the copyright, imports an article into Singapore for the purpose of —

(a) selling, letting for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing for sale or hire, the article;

(b) distributing the article —

(i) for the purpose of trade; or

(ii) for any other purpose to an extent that will affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright; or

where he knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the making of the article was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright.

Infringement by sale and other dealings

33.—(1) The copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is infringed by a person who, in Singapore, and without the licence of the owner of the copyright —

(a) sells, lets for hire, or by way of trade offers or exposes for sale or hire, an article; or

(b) by way of trade exhibits an article in public,

where he knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the making of the article constituted an infringement of the copyright or, in the case of an imported article, the making of the article was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the distribution of any articles —

(a) for the purpose of trade; or

Copyright55 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) for any other purpose to an extent that affects prejudicially the owner of the copyright concerned,

shall be taken to be the sale of those articles.

Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and archives

34. Where —

(a) a person makes an infringing copy of, or part of, a work or a published edition of a work or of 2 or more works on a machine for the making, by reprographic reproduction, of copies of documents, being a machine installed by or with the approval of the body administering a library or archives on the premises of the library or archives, or outside those premises for the convenience of persons using the library or archives; and

(b) there is affixed to, or in close proximity to, the machine, in a place readily visible to persons using the machine, a notice of the prescribed dimensions and in accordance with the prescribed form,

neither the body administering the library or archives nor the officer- in-charge of the library or archives shall be taken to have authorised the making of the infringing copy by reason only that the copy was made on that machine.

Division 3— Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright Works

Fair dealing in relation to works

35.—(1) Subject to this section, a fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 36 or 37 shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work.

[52/2004]

(1A) The purposes for which a dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

or musical work, may constitute a fair dealing under subsection (1) shall include research and study.

[52/2004]

(2) For the purposes of this Act, the matters to which regard shall be had, in determining whether a dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, being a dealing by way of copying the whole or a part of the work or adaptation, constitutes a fair dealing with the work or adaptation for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 36 or 37 shall include —

(a) the purpose and character of the dealing, including whether such dealing is of a commercial nature or is for non-profit educational purposes;

(b) the nature of the work or adaptation;

(d) the effect of the dealing upon the potential market for, or value of, the work or adaptation; and

(e) the possibility of obtaining the work or adaptation within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

[52/2004]

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a dealing with a literary, dramatic or musical work, or with an adaptation of such a work, being a dealing by way of the copying, for the purposes of research or study —

(a) if the work or adaptation comprises an article in a periodical publication, of the whole or a part of that work or adaptation; or

(b) in any other case, of not more than a reasonable portion of the work or adaptation,

shall be taken to be a fair dealing with that work or adaptation for the purpose of research or study.

[52/2004]

(4) Subsection (3) shall not apply to a dealing by way of the copying of the whole or a part of an article in a periodical publication

Copyright57 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

if another article in that publication, being an article dealing with a different subject-matter, is also copied.

Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review

36. A fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work if it is for the purpose of criticism or review, whether of that work or of another work, and a sufficient acknowledgment of the work is made.

Fair dealing for purpose of reporting current events

37. A fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work if it is for the purpose of, or is associated with, the reporting of current events —

(a) in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical and a sufficient acknowledgment of the work is made; or

(b) by means of broadcasting or a cable programme service or in a cinematograph film.

Reproduction for purposes of judicial proceedings or professional advice

38. The copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is not infringed by anything done —

(a) for the purposes of a judicial proceeding or of a report of a judicial proceeding;

(b) for the purpose of seeking professional advice from an advocate and solicitor; or

Temporary reproduction made in course of communication

38A.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the copyright in a work is not infringed by the making of a temporary or transient reproduction of the work if —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the reproduction is made incidentally as part of the technical process of making or receiving a communication; and

(b) the act of making the communication itself does not constitute an infringement.

[22/2005]

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the copyright in an adaptation of a work is not infringed by the making of a temporary or transient reproduction of the adaptation if —

(a) the reproduction is made incidentally as part of the technical process of making or receiving a communication; and

(b) the act of making the communication itself does not constitute an infringement.

[22/2005]

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to the making of a temporary or transient reproduction of a work, or an adaptation of a work, if the reproduction of the work or adaptation that is communicated —

(a) is an infringing copy of the work or adaptation; or

(b) is a reproduction that, if it had been made in Singapore, would have been an infringing copy of the work or adaptation.

[22/2005]

(4) Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) shall be construed as authorising any subsequent use of the temporary or transient reproduction of the work or adaptation.

[22/2005]

Back-up copy of computer program, etc.

39.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the copyright in a literary work being a computer program is not infringed by the making of a reproduction of the work, or of a computer program being an adaptation of the work, if —

Copyright59 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the reproduction is made by, or on behalf of, the owner of the copy (referred to in this section as the original copy) from which the reproduction is made; and

(b) the reproduction is made for the purpose only of being used, by or on behalf of the owner of the original copy, in lieu of the original copy in the event that the original copy is lost, destroyed or rendered unusable.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of a reproduction of a computer program, or of an adaptation of a computer program, from an infringing copy of the computer program.

[6/98]

(3) Notwithstanding section 31, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program or of a compilation within the meaning of section 7A in an electronic form to make or authorise the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program or compilation provided that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilisation of the computer program or compilation in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner.

[38/99]

(4) Where an act is permitted under this section —

(a) it is irrelevant whether or not there exists any term or condition in an agreement which purports to prohibit or restrict the act; and

(b) any such term or condition shall, insofar as it purports to prohibit or restrict the act, be void.

[6/98]

(5) For the purposes of this section, a reference to a copy of a computer program or compilation or of an adaptation of a computer program or compilation is a reference to any article in which the computer program, compilation or adaptation is reproduced in a material form.

[38/99]

Decompilation

39A.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the copyright in a literary work, being a computer program expressed in a low level language, is

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

not infringed by a lawful user of the computer program decompiling it if —

(a) it is necessary to decompile the computer program to achieve the objective of obtaining the information necessary to create an independent computer program which can be operated with the computer program decompiled or with another computer program (referred to in this section as the permitted objective); and

(b) the information so obtained is not used for any purpose other than the permitted objective.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply if the lawful user —

(a) has readily available to him the information necessary to achieve the permitted objective;

(b) does not confine the decompiling to such acts as are necessary to achieve the permitted objective;

(c) supplies the information obtained by the decompiling to any person to whom it is not necessary to supply the information in order to achieve the permitted objective; or

(d) uses the information —

(i) to create a computer program which is substantially similar in its expression to the computer program decompiled; or

(ii) to do any act restricted by copyright. [52/2004]

(3) Where an act is permitted under this section —

(a) it shall be irrelevant whether or not there exists any term or condition in an agreement which purports to prohibit or restrict the act; and

(b) any such term or condition shall, insofar as it purports to prohibit or restrict the act, be void.

[52/2004]

Copyright61 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, this section is without prejudice to the generality of section 35 and does not limit the operation of that section.

[52/2004]

(5) For the purposes of this section and sections 39B and 39C, a person is a lawful user of a computer program if he has a right to use the computer program, whether under a licence to do any act restricted by the copyright in the computer program or otherwise.

[52/2004]

(6) In this section, “decompiling”, in relation to a computer program expressed in a low level language, means —

(a) converting the computer program into a version expressed in a higher level language; or

(b) incidentally in the course of so converting the computer program, copying the computer program,

and “decompile” shall be construed accordingly. [52/2004]

Observing, studying and testing of computer programs

39B.—(1) The copyright in a literary work, being a computer program, is not infringed by a lawful user of the computer program observing, studying or testing the functioning of the computer program in order to determine the ideas and principles which underlie any element of the computer program, if he does so while performing any of the acts of loading, displaying, running, transmitting or storing the computer program which he is entitled to do.

[52/2004]

(2) Where an act is permitted under this section —

(a) it shall be irrelevant whether or not there exists any term or condition in an agreement which purports to prohibit or restrict the act; and

(b) any such term or condition shall, insofar as it purports to prohibit or restrict the act, be void.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, this section is without prejudice to the generality of section 35 and does not limit the operation of that section.

[52/2004]

Other acts permitted to lawful users

39C.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the copyright in a literary work, being a computer program, is not infringed by a lawful user of the computer program copying or adapting the computer program, if such copying or adapting is necessary for his lawful use.

[52/2004]

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, it may be necessary for the lawful use of a computer program to copy or adapt the computer program for the purpose of correcting errors in the computer program.

[52/2004]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any copying or adapting permitted under section 39 or 39A.

[52/2004]

Inclusion of works in collections for use by educational institutions

40.—(1) The copyright in a published literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is not infringed by the inclusion of a short extract from the work, or, in the case of a published literary, dramatic or musical work, from an adaptation of the work, in a collection of literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works contained in a book, sound recording or cinematograph film and intended for use by educational institutions if —

(a) the collection is described in an appropriate place in the book, on the label of each record embodying the recording or of its container, or in the film, as being intended for use by educational institutions;

(b) the work or adaptation was not published for the purpose of being used by educational institutions; and

Copyright63 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the copyright in a work if, in addition to the extract concerned, 2 or more other extracts from, or from adaptations of, works (being works in which copyright subsists at the time when the collection is published) by the author of the first-mentioned work are contained in that collection, or are contained in that collection taken together with every similar collection, if any, of works intended for use by educational institutions and published by the same publisher within the period of 5 years immediately preceding the publication of the first- mentioned collection.

Accessories to imported articles

40A.—(1) The copyright in a work embodied in an accessory to an article is not infringed by a person who, without the licence of the owner of the copyright, imports the article into Singapore for a purpose mentioned in section 32(a), (b) or (c) unless the article is an infringing copy.

[14/94]

(2) The operation of this Act in relation to a work embodied in an article shall not be affected by the operation of this section in relation to a work embodied in an accessory to the article.

[14/94]

(3) If an article is imported into Singapore for a purpose mentioned in section 32(a), (b) or (c) and the importation is not, by reason of this section, an infringement of the copyright in a work embodied in an accessory to the article, the use of the accessory with the article for any such purpose shall not be an infringement of the copyright in the work, and section 33 shall not apply to the accessory.

[14/94]

Division 4 — Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright in Literary, Dramatic and Musical Works

Reading or recitation in public or for a communication

41. The reading or recitation in public, or the inclusion in a communication of a reading or recitation, of an extract of reasonable length from a published literary or dramatic work, or from an adaptation of such a work, shall not constitute an infringement of the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

[52/2004]

Religious performances

42. A performance of a literary, dramatic or musical work of a religious nature, or an adaptation of such a work, in the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work.

Reproduction for purpose of broadcasting

43.—(1) Where the broadcasting by a person of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or of an adaptation of such a work, would not (whether by reason of an assignment or a licence or of the operation of a provision of this Act) constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work, but the making by the person of a sound recording or a cinematograph film of the work or adaptation would, apart from this subsection, constitute such an infringement, the copyright in the work is not infringed by his making such a recording or film solely for the purpose of the broadcasting of the work or adaptation.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a recording or film if a record embodying the recording or a copy of the film is used for a purpose other than —

(a) the broadcasting of the work or adaptation in circumstances that do not (whether by reason of an assignment or a licence or of the operation of a provision of this Act) constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work; or

(b) the making of further records embodying the recording or further copies of the film for the purpose of the broadcasting of the work or adaptation in such circumstances.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a recording or film where a record embodying the recording or a copy of the film is used for the purpose of the broadcasting of the work or adaptation by a person who is not the maker of the recording or film unless the maker has paid to the owner of the copyright in the work such amount as

Copyright65 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

they agree or, in default of agreement, has given an undertaking in writing to the owner to pay to him such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal, on the application of either of them, to be equitable remuneration to the owner for the making of the recording or film.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(4) A person who has given an undertaking referred to in subsection (3) is liable, when a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount to which the undertaking relates, to pay that amount to the owner of the copyright in the work and the owner may recover that amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the owner.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(5) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a recording or film unless all the records embodying the recording or all the copies of the film are destroyed or are delivered, with the consent of the Director of National Archives, to the National Archives of Singapore —

(a) before the expiration of the period of 6 months or, in the case of a recording or film made by a non-profit organisation solely for its own broadcast, 2 years, commencing on the day on which any of the records embodying the recording or any of the copies of the film is first used for broadcasting the work or adaptation in accordance with that subsection; or

(b) before the expiration of such further period, if any, as is agreed between the maker of the recording or film and the owner of the copyright in the work.

[6/98] [Act 25 of 2012 wef 28/03/2013]

Reproduction for purpose of simulcasting

43A.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where the broadcasting by a person of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or of an adaptation of such a work, would not for any reason constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work, but the making by the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

person of a sound recording or a cinematograph film of the work or adaptation would, apart from this subsection, constitute such an infringement, the copyright in the work is not infringed by the person making the recording or film solely for the purpose of simulcasting the work or adaptation in digital form.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the making of a recording or film if a record embodying the recording or a copy of the film is used for a purpose other than —

(a) the simulcasting of the work or adaptation in circumstances that do not for any reason constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work; or

(b) the making of —

(i) further records embodying the recording; or

(ii) further copies of the film,

for the purpose of simulcasting the work or adaptation in such circumstances.

[52/2004]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the making of a recording or film unless all the records embodying the recording or all the copies of the film made under that subsection are destroyed before the expiration of the prescribed period.

[52/2004]

Division 5 — Copying of Works in Libraries

Interpretation of this Division

44. In this Division, a reference to an article contained in a periodical publication shall be read as a reference to anything (other than an artistic work) appearing in such a publication.

[6/98]

Copying by libraries and archives for users

45.—(1) A person may furnish to the officer-in-charge of a library (not being a library that is conducted for the profit, direct or indirect, of an individual or individuals) or the officer-in-charge of archives—

Copyright67 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) a request in writing to be supplied with a copy of an article, or a part of an article, contained in a periodical publication or of the whole or a part of a published literary, dramatic or musical work other than an article contained in a periodical publication; and

(b) a declaration signed by him stating —

(i) that he requires the copy for the purpose of research or study and will not use it for any other purpose; and

(ii) that he has not previously been supplied with a copy of that article or other work, or the same part of the article or other work, as the case may be, by an authorised officer of the library or archives, or that he has lost, destroyed or damaged any such copy previously supplied to him.

[52/2004]

(2) Subject to this section, where a request and declaration referred to in subsection (1) are furnished to the officer-in-charge of a library or archives, an authorised officer of the library or archives may, unless the declaration contains a statement that to his knowledge is untrue in a material particular, make, or cause to be made, the copy to which the request relates and supply the copy to the person who made the request.

(3) Where a charge is made for making and supplying a copy to which a request under subsection (1) relates, subsection (2) shall not apply in relation to the request if the amount of the charge exceeds the cost of making and supplying the copy and a reasonable contribution to the general expenses of the library.

(4) Subsection (2) shall not apply in relation to a request for a copy of, or parts of, 2 or more articles contained in the same periodical publication unless the articles relate to the same subject-matter.

(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to a request for a copy of the whole of a literary, dramatic or musical work (other than an article contained in a periodical publication), or to a copy of a part of such a work that contains more than a reasonable portion of the work unless —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the work forms part of the library or archives collection; and

(b) before the copy is made, an authorised officer of the library has, after reasonable investigation, made a declaration stating that he is satisfied that a copy (not being a secondhand copy) of the work cannot be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

[6/98]

(6) The copyright in an article contained in a periodical publication is not infringed by the making, in relation to a request under subsection (1), of a copy of the article, or of a part of the article, in accordance with subsection (2) unless the copy is supplied to a person other than the person who made the request.

(7) The copyright in a published literary, dramatic or musical work other than an article contained in a periodical publication is not infringed by the making, in relation to a request under subsection (1), of a copy of the work, or of a part of the work, in accordance with subsection (2) unless the copy is supplied to a person other than the person who made the request.

(7A) If any of the following is acquired as part of the collection of a library or archives:

(a) an article contained in a periodical publication or a published work (other than an article contained in a periodical publication) acquired in electronic form;

(b) any work that is or is part of online material acquired under section 49A,

the copyright in the article, published work or work is not infringed by the officer-in-charge of the library or archives making it available online within the premises of the library or archives in such a manner that users cannot, by using any equipment supplied by the library or archives —

(i) make an electronic copy of the article, published work or work; or

(ii) communicate the article, published work or work. [Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

Copyright69 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(8) The regulations may exclude the application of subsection (6) or (7) in such cases as are specified in the regulations.

(9) Subsections (6) and (7) shall not apply to the making, in accordance with subsection (2), of an electronic copy of —

(a) an article, or a part of an article, contained in a periodical publication; or

(b) the whole or part of a published work, other than such an article,

in relation to a request under this section for communication to the person who made the request, unless —

(i) before or when the electronic copy is communicated to the person, a notice is given to the person in accordance with the regulations stating —

(A) that the electronic copy has been made under this section and that the article or work might be subject to copyright protection under this Act; and

(B) such other matters as may be prescribed; and

(ii) as soon as practicable after the electronic copy is communicated to the person, the electronic copy made in accordance with subsection (2) and held by the library or archives is destroyed.

[52/2004]

Copying by libraries or archives for other libraries or archives

46.—(1) The officer-in-charge of a library may request, or cause another person to request, the officer-in-charge of another library to supply the officer-in-charge of the first-mentioned library with a copy of an article, or a part of an article, contained in a periodical publication, or of the whole or a part of a published literary, dramatic or musical work other than an article contained in a periodical publication —

(a) for the purpose of including the copy in the collection of the first-mentioned library, not being in substitution for a subscription to such periodical publication or work or a purchase of such work; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) for the purpose of supplying the copy to a person who has made a request for the copy under section 45.

(2) Subject to this section, where a request is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of a library to the officer-in-charge of another library under subsection (1), an authorised officer of the last- mentioned library may make, or cause to be made, the copy to which the request relates and supply the copy to the officer-in-charge of the first-mentioned library.

(3) Where, under subsection (2), an authorised officer of a library makes a copy of the whole or a part of a work and supplies it to the officer-in-charge of another library in accordance with a request made under subsection (1) —

(a) the copy shall, for all purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been made on behalf of an authorised officer of the other library for the purpose for which the copy was requested; and

(b) an action shall not be brought against the body administering that first-mentioned library, or against any officer or employee of that library, for infringement of copyright by reason of the making or supplying of that copy.

(4) Subject to this section, where a copy of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication, or of any other published literary, dramatic or musical work is, by virtue of subsection (3), to be deemed to have been made on behalf of an authorised officer of a library, the copyright in the article or other work is not infringed by the making of the copy.

(5) The regulations may exclude the application of subsection (4) in such cases as are specified in the regulations.

(6) Where a charge is made for making and supplying a copy to which a request under subsection (1) relates, subsection (4) shall not apply in relation to the request if the amount of the charge exceeds the cost of making and supplying the copy and a reasonable contribution to the general expenses of the library.

Copyright71 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(7) Subsection (4) shall not apply to or in relation to a copy of the whole or a part of an article or other work that is, by virtue of subsection (3), to be deemed to have been made on behalf of an authorised officer of a library for a purpose referred to in subsection (1) unless, as soon as practicable after the request was made, an authorised officer of the library made a declaration that set out particulars of the request (including the purpose for which the copy was requested) and stated —

(a) in a case where a copy of the whole or a part of the article or other work had previously been supplied, in accordance with a request under subsection (1), for the purpose of inclusion in the collection of the library— that the copy so supplied had been lost, destroyed or damaged, whichever was appropriate; and

(b) in a case where the copy was a copy of the whole of a literary, dramatic or musical work (other than an article contained in a periodical publication) or of a part of such a work that contains more than a reasonable portion of the work— that the copy was made and supplied as part of an inter-library arrangement which does not have the effect or the purpose of enabling participating libraries to receive copies of the whole works or parts thereof, by way of systematic reproduction and supply of copies, in such aggregate quantities as substitutes for a subscription to or purchase of such works.

(8) In this section, a reference to a library shall be read as a reference to a library other than a library that is conducted for the profit, direct or indirect, of an individual or individuals, and as including a reference to archives.

Copying or communication of unpublished works in libraries or archives

47.—(1) Where, at a time more than 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the author of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or of an artistic work being a photograph or engraving, died, and more than 75 years after the time at which, or the expiration of the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

period during which, the work was made, copyright subsists in the work but —

(a) the work has not been published; and

(b) the original version, or a copy, of the work is kept in the collection of a library or archives where it is, subject to any regulations governing that collection, open to public inspection,

the copyright in the work is not infringed —

(i) by the making of a copy, or the communication, of the work by a person for the purpose of research or study or with a view to publication; or

(ii) by the making of a copy, or the communication, of the work by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of that library or archives, if the copy or work is supplied (whether by communication or otherwise) to a person who satisfies the officer-in-charge of that library or archives that he requires the copy or work for the purpose of research or study or with a view to publication and that he will not use it for any other purpose.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(2) Where the original version, or a copy, of a thesis or other similar literary work that has not been published is kept in a library of a university or other similar institution or in archives, the copyright in the thesis or other work is not infringed by the making of a copy, or the communication, of the thesis or other work by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives, if the copy, thesis or other work is supplied (whether by communication or otherwise) to a person who satisfies an authorised officer of the library or archives that he requires the copy, thesis or other work for the purpose of research or study.

[38/99; 52/2004]

Copying of works for preservation and other purposes

48.—(1) Subject to subsection (4), the copyright in a work that forms, or formed, part of the collection of a library or archives is not

Copyright73 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

infringed by the making, by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives, of a copy of the work —

(a) if the work is the original version of the work — for the purpose of preserving the original version against loss or deterioration or for the purpose of research that is being, or is to be, carried out at the library or archives in which the work is held or at another library or other archives;

(b) if the work is held in the collection in a published form but has been damaged or has deteriorated— for the purpose of replacing the work; or

(c) if the work has been held in the collection in a published form but has been lost or stolen — for the purpose of replacing the work.

[38/99]

(2) The copyright in a work that is held in the collection of a library or archives is not infringed by the making, by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives, for a purpose other than a purpose for which a copy may be made under subsection (1), of a single copy of the work so held.

[38/99]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a work held in published form in the collection of a library or archives unless an authorised officer of the library or archives has, after reasonable investigation, made a declaration stating that he is satisfied that a copy (not being a secondhand copy) of the work cannot be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

(4) Where a copy of an unpublished work is made under subsection (1) by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of a library or archives for the purpose of research that is being, or is to be, carried out at another library or archives, the supply of the copy by or on behalf of the officer to the other library or archives does not, for any purpose of this Act, constitute publication of the work.

[38/99]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Publication of unpublished works kept in libraries

49.—(1) Where —

(a) a published literary, dramatic or musical work (referred to in this section as the new work) incorporates the whole or a part of a work (referred to in this section as the old work) to which section 47(1) applied immediately before the new work was published;

(b) before the new work was published, the prescribed notice of the intended publication of the work had been given; and

(c) immediately before the new work was published, the identity of the owner of the copyright in the old work was not known to the publisher of the new work,

then, for the purposes of this Act, the first publication of the new work, and any subsequent publication of the new work whether in the same or in an altered form, shall, insofar as it constitutes a publication of the old work, be deemed not to be an infringement of the copyright in the old work or an unauthorised publication of the old work.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a subsequent publication of the new work incorporating a part of the old work that was not included in the first publication of the new work unless —

(a) section 47(1) would, but for this section, have applied to that part of the old work immediately before that subsequent publication;

(b) before that subsequent publication, the prescribed notice of the intended publication had been given; and

(c) immediately before that subsequent publication, the identity of the owner of the copyright in the old work was not known to the publisher of that subsequent publication.

(3) Where a work, or part of a work, has been published and, by virtue of this section, the publication is to be deemed not to be an infringement of the copyright in the work, the copyright in the work is not infringed by a person who, after that publication took place, broadcasts the work or that part of the work, as the case may be, or

Copyright75 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

includes it in a cable programme or performs it in public, or makes a record of it.

Copying of online material for National Library Board collection

49A. The copyright in a work that is or is part of online material made available on a Singapore website is not infringed by the making of a copy of the online material, by or on behalf of the National Library Board, in the performance of its functions under section 6(d) of the National Library Board Act (Cap. 197).

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

Application of Division to illustrations accompanying articles and other works

50. Where an article, thesis or literary, dramatic or musical work is accompanied by artistic works provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating the article, thesis or other work (referred to in this section as the illustrations), the provisions of this Division shall apply as if —

(a) where any of those sections provides that the copyright in the article, thesis or work is not infringed — the reference to that copyright included a reference to any copyright in the illustrations;

(b) a reference in section 45, 46, 47 or 48 to a copy of the article, thesis or work included a reference to a copy of the article, thesis or work together with a copy of the illustrations;

(c) a reference in section 45 or 46 to a copy of a part of the article or work included a reference to a copy of that part of the article or work together with a copy of the illustrations that were provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating that part; and

(d) a reference in section 48 or 49 to the doing of any act in relation to the work included a reference to the doing of that act in relation to the work together with the illustrations.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 6 — Copying of Works for Educational Purposes

Copying by non-reprographic means for purpose of a course of education

50A.—(1) Copyright in a work is not infringed by its being copied for the purposes of a course of education, provided the copying —

(a) is done by a person conducting or undergoing the course of education; and

(b) is not by means of a reprographic process. [6/98]

(2) In this section —

“electronic” means actuated by electric, magnetic, electro- magnetic, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical energy;

“facsimile copy” includes a copy that is reduced or enlarged in scale;

“in electronic form” means in a form usable only by electronic means;

“reprographic process” means a process —

(a) for making facsimile copies; or

(b) involving the use of an appliance for making multiple copies,

and includes, in relation to a work held in electronic form, any copying by electronic means, but does not include the making of a cinematograph film or sound recording.

[6/98]

Multiple copying or communication of insubstantial portions of works

51.—(1) Copyright in a literary or dramatic work is not infringed by the making of one or more copies of a part of the work in an edition of the work by any person if the copying is carried out on the premises of an educational institution for the purposes of a course of education provided by the institution.

[38/99; 52/2004]

Copyright77 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(1A) Copyright in a literary or dramatic work is not infringed by the communication of a part of the work in an edition of the work by any person if the communication is initiated from the premises of an educational institution for the purposes of a course of education provided by the institution.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of a copy of, and subsection (1A) shall not apply to the communication of, the whole of a work.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of a copy of, and subsection (1A) shall not apply to the communication of, more than 5 of the pages of a work in an edition of the work unless —

(a) there are more than 500 pages in the edition; and

(b) the total number of pages so copied does not exceed 5% of the total number of pages in the edition.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of a copy, and subsection (1A) shall not apply to the communication, of a part of a work in an edition of the work, being an edition stored on any medium by electronic means and not divided into pages, if the part copied or communicated exceeds, in the aggregate —

(a) 5% of the total number of bytes in the edition; and

(b) 5% of the total number of words in that edition or, where it is not practicable to use the total number of words as a measure, 5% of the contents of the edition.

[52/2004]

(5) Where —

(a) a person makes or causes to be made a copy of a part of a work; and

(b) subsection (1) applies to the making of that copy,

that subsection shall not apply to the making, by or on behalf of that person, of a copy of any other part of that work within 14 days after the day on which the previous copy was made.

[38/99]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(5A) Where —

(a) a person communicates or causes to be communicated a part of a work; and

(b) subsection (1A) applies to that communication,

that subsection shall not apply to the communication, by or on behalf of that person, of any other part of that work within 14 days after the day on which the previous communication was made.

[52/2004]

(6) In this section —

(a) a reference to an edition of a work includes a reference to an edition of works that include that work; and

(b) a reference to the making of a copy of a part of a work on the premises of an educational institution for the purposes of a course of education provided by the institution includes a reference to the making of a copy of that part of the work in an electronic form on a network operated or controlled by the educational institution concerned to enable persons undertaking a course of education provided by the educational institution to access the work.

[38/99]

Multiple copying or communication under statutory licence by educational institutions

52.—(1) Subject to this section, the copyright in an article contained in a periodical publication is not infringed by the making of copies, or the communication, of the whole or a part of that article, by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of that or another educational institution.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(2) Subject to this section, the copyright in a work, other than an article in a periodical publication, is not infringed by the making of copies, or the communication, of the whole or a part of that work, by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of that or another educational institution.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(3) [Deleted by Act 6/98]

Copyright79 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to copies of, or of parts of, 2 or more articles contained in the same periodical publication unless the articles relate to the same subject-matter.

(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply in relation to copies of, or of more than a reasonable portion of, a work that has been separately published unless the person who makes the copies, or causes the copies to be made, for or on behalf of the body administering the educational institution, is satisfied, after reasonable investigation, that copies (not being secondhand copies) of the work cannot be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

(6) Subsection (1) shall not apply to copies of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication, being copies made, by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution, for the educational purposes of an educational institution, unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the making of those copies, a record of the copying setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by the regulations.

[6/98]

(7) Subsection (2) shall not apply to copies of the whole or a part of a work (not being an article contained in a periodical publication), being copies made, by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution, for the educational purposes of an educational institution, unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the making of those copies, a record of the copying setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by the regulations.

[6/98]

(7A) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the communication of, or of parts of, 2 or more articles contained in the same periodical publication, unless the articles relate to the same subject-matter.

[52/2004]

(7B) Subsection (2) shall not apply in relation to the communication of, or of more than a reasonable portion of, a work that has been separately published, unless the person who communicates the work or portion, or causes the work or portion to be communicated, for or on behalf of the body administering the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

educational institution, is satisfied, after reasonable investigation, that copies (not being secondhand copies) of the work cannot be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

[52/2004]

(7C) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the communication of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution, for the educational purposes of an educational institution, unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the communication, a record of the communication setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by the regulations.

[52/2004]

(7D) Subsection (2) shall not apply to the communication of the whole or a part of a work (not being an article contained in a periodical publication) by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution, for the educational purposes of an educational institution, unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the communication, a record of the communication setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by the regulations.

[52/2004]

(8) For the purposes of subsections (6), (7), (7C) and (7D), a record of the copying or communication, as the case may be, of a work or a part of a work —

(a) shall be kept in writing or in any other manner prescribed by the regulations; and

(b) if it is kept in writing, shall be in accordance with the prescribed form.

[22/2005]

(9) Where copies of, or of part of, a work consisting of an article in a periodical publication made, as provided in subsection (1), by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of an educational institution are made for distribution to persons undertaking a correspondence course, or an external study course, provided by the educational institution for the educational purposes of which those copies are made, otherwise than as a part of the lecture notes prepared in connection with that course,

Copyright81 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the record made in relation to them in accordance with subsection (6) may state that they are copies to which this subsection applies.

[6/98]

(10) Where copies of, or of part of, a work, other than an article in a periodical publication, made as provided in subsection (2) by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of an educational institution —

(a) are made for distribution to persons undertaking a correspondence course, or an external study course, provided by the educational institution for the educational purposes of which those copies are made, otherwise than as a part of the lecture notes prepared in connection with that course; and

(b) do not contain more than a reasonable portion of the work,

the record made in relation to them in accordance with subsection (7) may state that they are copies to which this subsection applies.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(11) Where copies of the whole or a part of a work, not being copies stated in the record to be copies to which subsection (9) or (10) applies, are made by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution and, by virtue of this section, the making of those copies does not infringe copyright in the work, that body shall, if the owner of the copyright in the work makes a request, in writing, at any time during the prescribed period after the making of the copies, for payment for the making of the copies, pay to the owner such an amount by way of equitable remuneration for the making of those copies as is agreed upon between the owner and the body or, in default of agreement, such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal on the application of either the owner or the body.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(11A) Where the whole or a part of a work consisting of an article in a periodical publication is communicated as provided in subsection (1) —

(a) by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of an educational institution; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) to persons undertaking a correspondence course, or an external study course, provided by the educational institution, otherwise than as a part of the lecture notes prepared in connection with that course,

the record made in relation to the communication in accordance with subsection (7C) may state that it is a communication to which this subsection applies.

[52/2004]

(11B) Where —

(a) the whole or a part of a work, other than an article in a periodical publication, is communicated as provided in subsection (2) —

(i) by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution for the educational purposes of an educational institution; and

(ii) to persons undertaking a correspondence course, or an external study course, provided by the educational institution, otherwise than as a part of the lecture notes prepared in connection with that course; and

(b) the communication does not contain more than a reasonable portion of the work,

the record made in relation to the communication in accordance with subsection (7D) may state that it is a communication to which this subsection applies.

[52/2004]

(11C) Where —

(a) the whole or a part of a work is communicated by or on behalf of the body administering an educational institution;

(b) the communication is not a communication to which subsection (11A) or (11B) applies; and

that body shall, if the owner of the copyright in the work makes a request in writing, at any time during the prescribed period after the

Copyright83 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

communication, for payment for the communication, pay to the owner such an amount by way of equitable remuneration for the communication as is agreed upon between the owner and the body or, in default of agreement, as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal on the application of either the owner or the body.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[52/2004]

(12) Where a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount of equitable remuneration payable to the owner of copyright in a work by the body administering an educational institution in relation to copies of the whole or a part of that work that have been made, or the communication of the whole or a part of that work, by or on behalf of that body in reliance on this section, the owner may recover that amount from the body in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to him.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[52/2004]

(13) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the owner of copyright in a work to grant a licence authorising the body administering an educational institution —

(a) to make, or cause to be made, copies of the whole or a part of the work; or

(b) to communicate, or cause to be communicated, the whole or a part of the work,

without infringement of that copyright. [52/2004]

(14) For the purposes of this section, a reference to the making of copies of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication, or of a work, for the educational purposes of an educational institution includes the making of a copy of the whole of the article or work, or that part of the article or work, in an electronic form on a network operated or controlled by that or another educational institution to enable persons undertaking a course of education provided by that or another educational institution to access the article or work, or that part of the article or work.

[38/99]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(15) For the purposes of this section, a reference to the communication of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication, or of a work, for the educational purposes of an educational institution includes the communication of the whole of the article or work, or that part of the article or work, in an electronic form on a network operated or controlled by that or another educational institution to enable persons undertaking a course of education provided by that or another educational institution to access the article or work, or that part of the article or work.

[52/2004]

Things done for purposes of examination

52A. The copyright in a work is not infringed by anything done for the purposes of an examination, whether by way of setting the questions, communicating the questions to the candidates or answering the questions.

[6/98]

Application of Division to illustrations accompanying articles and other works

53. Where an article or other literary, dramatic or musical work is accompanied by an artistic work or artistic works provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating the article or other work, the provisions of this Division shall apply as if —

(a) where any of those sections provides that the copyright in the article or other work is not infringed— the reference to that copyright included a reference to any copyright in that artistic work or those artistic works;

(b) a reference in section 51 or 52 to a copy of an article or other work included a reference to a copy of the article or other work together with a copy of that artistic work or those artistic works;

(c) a reference in section 51 or 52 to a copy of a part of an article or other work included a reference to a copy of that part of the article or other work together with a copy of the artistic work or artistic works provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating that part;

Copyright85 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) a reference in section 51 to a copy of a page of a literary, dramatic or musical work in an edition of the work or of works that include the work included a reference to a copy of a page in such an edition that contained that work and an artistic work or artistic works provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating that part of that work; and

(e) a reference in section 51 to a copy of pages of a literary, dramatic or musical work in an edition of that work or of works that include that work included a reference to a copy of pages in such an edition that contained a part of that work and an artistic work or artistic works provided for the purpose of explaining or illustrating that part of that work.

Division 7— Copying of Works in Institutions Assisting Persons with Reading Disabilities and Institutions Assisting Intellectually

Handicapped Readers

Copying, etc., under statutory licence for persons with reading disabilities

54.—(1) Where all of the conditions in subsection (4) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the making, on a non-profit basis, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, of an accessible format copy of the work for use by a local person with a reading disability for a permitted purpose.

(2) Where all of the conditions in subsection (4) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the distribution, on a non-profit basis, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, of an accessible format copy in a physical form of the work to a local person with a reading disability, for use by that person for a permitted purpose.

(3) Where all of the conditions in subsection (4) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the making available, on a non-profit basis, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

disabilities or an educational institution, of an accessible format copy in an electronic form of the work to a local person with a reading disability, for use by that person for a permitted purpose.

(4) The conditions referred to in subsections (1), (2) and (3) are as follows:

(a) as soon as practicable after the making, distribution or making available of the accessible format copy, as the case may be, the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution, or the person acting on behalf of that body, makes a record of that act setting out such particulars as may be prescribed in regulations;

(b) the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution, or the person acting on behalf of that body, is satisfied after reasonable investigation that no new accessible format copy of the relevant work that has been separately published and is in the same format as the copy which is to be made, distributed or made available, can be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price;

(c) in the case of an educational institution, the local person with a reading disability for or to whom the accessible format copy is made, made available or distributed is a student of the institution;

(d) such other conditions as may be prescribed in regulations.

(5) Where the conditions in subsection (6) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by —

(a) the making, on a non-profit basis, of an accessible format copy in a physical form of the work for the purpose of export; or

(b) the making available, on a non-profit basis, of an accessible format copy in an electronic form of the work,

Copyright87 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

by or on behalf of a body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, for or to —

(i) a foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities; or

(ii) a person with a reading disability who is not resident in Singapore.

(6) The conditions referred to in subsection (5) are as follows:

(a) the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution, or the person acting on behalf of that body, complies with such requirements at such time as may be prescribed in regulations, for the purpose of ascertaining or verifying the identity of, and other information concerning —

(i) the foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities; or

(ii) the person with a reading disability who is not resident in Singapore;

(b) as soon as practicable after the making, or the making available, of the accessible format copy, as the case may be, the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution, or the person acting on behalf of that body makes a record of the act, setting out such particulars as may be prescribed in regulations;

(7) Where all of the conditions in subsection (10) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the making, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, of a temporary or transient reproduction of an accessible format copy in an electronic form of the work that is received from a foreign institution assisting persons with reading

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

disabilities, being a reproduction that is made incidentally as part of the technical process of such receipt.

(8) Where all of the conditions in subsection (10) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the importation, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, of an accessible format copy in a physical form of a relevant work that originated from a foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities.

(9) Where all of the conditions in subsection (10) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the distribution, on a non-profit basis, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution, of an accessible format copy in a physical form of the work to a local person with a reading disability for use by him for a permitted purpose, being an accessible format copy that originated from a foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities.

(10) The conditions referred to in subsections (7), (8) and (9) are as follows:

(a) the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution made a request to the foreign institution assisting persons with reading disabilities for the accessible format copy for use by a person with a reading disability for a permitted purpose, or for the purpose of distributing that copy on a non-profit basis to a person with a reading disability for use by the person for a permitted purpose;

(b) in the case of an educational institution, the person with a reading disability referred to in paragraph (a) and in subsection (9) is a student of that institution;

(c) as soon as practicable after receiving the accessible format copy, the body, or a person acting on its behalf, makes a record setting out such particulars as may be prescribed in regulations;

Copyright89 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) the body, or the person acting on its behalf, is satisfied after reasonable investigation that no new accessible format copy of the relevant work that has been separately published and is in the same format as the copy requested for, can be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price;

(e) such other conditions as may be prescribed in regulations.

(11) Where all of the conditions in subsection (12) are satisfied, the copyright in a relevant work that has been published is not infringed by the making by —

(a) a local person with a reading disability; or

(b) a person acting on behalf of a local person with a reading disability, not being the body administering —

(i) an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities; or

(ii) an educational institution of which the person with a reading disability is a student,

of an accessible format copy of the work for use by the person with a reading disability for a permitted purpose.

(12) The conditions referred to in subsection (11) are as follows:

(a) the local person with a reading disability, or the person acting on his behalf, is satisfied after reasonable investigation that no new accessible format copy of the relevant work that has been separately published and is in the same format as the copy which is to be made, can be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price;

(b) such other conditions as may be prescribed in regulations.

(13) For the purposes of subsections (4)(a), (6)(b) and (10)(c), a record —

(a) shall be kept in writing or in any other manner prescribed by the regulations; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) if it is kept in writing, shall be in accordance with the prescribed form.

(14) For the purposes of subsections (4)(b), (10)(d) and (12)(a), “new accessible format copy”, in relation to a relevant work, means —

(a) if the accessible format copy of the work is a physical copy, a copy that is not secondhand;

(b) if the accessible format copy of the work is a sound recording or an electronic copy of the work that is embodied or stored in a record or other article, a copy that is embodied or stored in a record or other article that is not secondhand; or

(c) where the accessible format copy of the work is a sound recording or an electronic copy of the work that is not embodied or stored in a record or other article, a copy that is fit for use.

(15) Where —

(a) by virtue of subsection (1), (2), (3) or (9), the making, or the making available or distribution to a person, of an accessible format copy of a relevant work does not infringe the copyright in a relevant work; and

(b) the owner of the copyright in the relevant work makes a request in writing, at any time during the period prescribed by regulations after that act for payment for the copy so made, made available or distributed,

then the body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution shall pay to the owner such amount by way of equitable remuneration for that act —

(i) as is agreed upon between the owner and the body; or

(ii) in default of agreement, such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal under section 158(3) on the application of either the owner or the body.

(16) Where a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount of equitable remuneration payable to the owner of the copyright by the

Copyright91 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

body administering the institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or the educational institution, the owner may recover that amount from the body in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to him.

(17) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, copyright shall not vest in the maker of a copy of a relevant work for a person with a reading disability by reason of the maker making that copy.

(18) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the owner of the copyright in a relevant work to grant a licence authorising a body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities or an educational institution to make, make available or distribute, or cause to be made, made available or distributed, an accessible format copy of the relevant work without infringement of that copyright.

(19) In this section —

“local person with a reading disability” means a person with a reading disability who is resident in Singapore;

“permitted purpose”, in relation to a person with a reading disability, means —

(a) the purpose of research or study undertaken or to be undertaken by the person; or

(b) the purpose of otherwise instructing himself in any matter;

“relevant work” means —

(a) a literary work;

(b) a dramatic work; or

Multiple copying under statutory licence by institutions assisting intellectually handicapped readers

54A.—(1) The copyright in a work that has been published is not infringed by the making, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers, of a copy of the whole or a part of the work, for use in the provision, whether by

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the institution or otherwise, of assistance to intellectually handicapped readers.

[6/98]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of any copy of a work, being a work that has been separately published in a form that would be suitable for use in the provision of the assistance referred to in that subsection, unless the person who makes the copy, or causes that copy to be made, for or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers is satisfied, after reasonable investigation, that no new copy of the work in a form suitable for use in the provision of that assistance can be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

[6/98]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a copy shall be taken to be new if it is not secondhand.

[6/98]

(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the reproduction of the whole or a part of an article contained in a periodical publication by way of the making, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers, of an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy of the article or of that part of the article unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the making of that copy, a record of the copying setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by regulations.

[6/98]

(5) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the reproduction of the whole or a part of a work (not being an article contained in a periodical publication) by way of the making, by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers, of an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy of the work or of that part of the work unless there is made, by or on behalf of that body, as soon as practicable after the making of that copy, a record of the copying setting out such particulars as may be prescribed by regulations.

[6/98]

(6) For the purposes of subsections (4) and (5), a record of the copying of a work or a part of a work —

Copyright93 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) shall be kept in writing or in any other manner prescribed by regulations; and

(b) if it is kept in writing, shall be in accordance with the prescribed form.

[6/98]

(7) Where an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy of the whole or a part of a work is made by or on behalf of the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers and, by virtue of this section, the making of that copy does not infringe copyright in the work, that body shall, if the owner of the copyright in the work makes a request, in writing, at any time during the prescribed period after the making of the copy, for payment for the making of the copy, pay to the owner such an amount by way of equitable remuneration for the making of that copy as is agreed upon between the owner and the body, or, in default of agreement, such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal on the application of either the owner or the body.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(8) Where a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount of equitable remuneration payable to the owner of the copyright in a work by the body administering an institution assisting handicapped readers in relation to an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy of the whole or a part of that work that has been made by or on behalf of that body in reliance on this section, the owner may recover that amount from the body in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to him.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, copyright shall not vest in the maker of the intellectually handicapped reader’s copy by reason of his making that copy.

[6/98]

(10) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the owner of the copyright in a work to grant a licence authorising the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

readers to make, or cause to be made, copies of the whole or a part of the work without infringement of that copyright.

[6/98]

Division 8 — Recording of Musical Works

Interpretation of this Division

55.—(1) In this Division —

(a) a reference to a musical work shall be read as a reference to the work in its original form or to an adaptation of the work;

(b) a reference to the owner of the copyright in a literary, dramatic or musical work shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be read as a reference to the person who is entitled to authorise the making in, and the importation into, Singapore of records of the works; and

(c) a reference to sale of a record by retail or to retail sale of a record shall be read as not including a reference to —

(i) sale for a consideration not consisting wholly of money; or

(ii) sale by a person not ordinarily carrying on the business of making or selling records.

(2) In this Division, where a musical work is comprised partly in one record and partly in another record or other records, all the records shall be treated as if they constituted a single record.

(3) A reference in this Division to a record of a musical work does not include a reference to a sound-track associated with visual images forming part of a cinematograph film.

Conditions upon which manufacturer may make records of musical work

56.—(1) Subject to this Division, the copyright in a musical work is not infringed by a person (referred to in this section as the manufacturer) who makes a record of the work or an adaptation thereof in Singapore, if —

Copyright95 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) records of the work, or, as the case may be, of a similar adaptation of the work, have previously been made in, or imported into, Singapore for the purposes of retail sale, and were so made or imported by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright in the work;

(b) before the making of the record, the manufacturer gave to the owner of the copyright the prescribed notice of his intention to make it;

(c) the manufacturer intends to sell the record by retail, or to supply it for the purpose of its being sold by retail by another person, or intends to use it for making other records which are to be so sold or supplied; and

(d) in the case of a record which is sold by retail or supplied for the purpose of its being sold by retail by another person, the manufacturer pays to the owner of the copyright, in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time, a royalty of an amount ascertained in accordance with the provisions of this Division.

[6/98]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a record of an adaptation of a musical work if the adaptation debases the work.

(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1)(d), the regulations made for the purposes of that subsection may provide —

(a) that payment of the royalties in respect of records, or of an amount, ascertained in accordance with the regulations, in respect of the royalties in respect of records, is, or is in such classes of cases as are specified in those regulations, to be made before the records are sold or supplied by the manufacturer; and

(b) that the doing of such acts as are specified in those regulations, being such acts as the Minister considers convenient for ensuring the receipt by the owner of the copyright of the royalties in respect of records or, if the owner of the copyright cannot be found by reasonable inquiry, as the Minister considers reasonable in the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

circumstances, is to be deemed to constitute payment of the royalties.

Amount of royalty

57.—(1) Subject to this Division, the royalty payable in respect of a record is 5% of the retail selling price of the record, which shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the regulations.

(2) If the royalty payable in respect of a record under this section includes a fraction of a cent that is less than or more than one-half of a cent —

(a) where that fraction is less than one-half of a cent — that fraction shall be treated as one-half of a cent; and

(b) where that fraction is more than one-half of a cent — that fraction shall be treated as a whole cent.

(3) If, apart from this subsection, the royalty payable in respect of a record under this section would be less than one cent, that royalty shall be one cent.

Provisions relating to royalty where 2 or more works are on the one record

58. Where a record comprises 2 or more musical works, whether or not there is any other matter comprised in the record —

(a) if the record includes a work in which copyright does not subsist or works in which copyrights do not subsist — the royalty payable in respect of the record is, subject to paragraph (b), the amount that bears to the amount that, but for this section, would be the amount of the royalty the same proportion as the number of works in the record in which copyrights subsist bears to the total number of works in the record; and

(b) if the record includes 2 or more works in which copyrights subsist —

(i) subject to this Division, the royalty payable in respect of the record shall not be less than one cent

Copyright97 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

in respect of each work in the record in which copyright subsists; and

(ii) if the owners of the copyrights in the works in the record in which copyrights subsist are different persons — there shall be paid to the owner of the copyright in each work, in respect of that work, an amount ascertained by dividing the amount of the royalty payable in respect of the record by the number of works in the record in which copyrights subsist.

Revision of royalty and minimum royalty

59.—(1) If at any time after 10th April 1988 it appears to the Minister charged with the responsibility for trade and industry that the royalty, or the minimum royalty, payable in respect of records generally or in respect of records included in a particular class of records is not equitable, he may request a Copyright Tribunal to hold an inquiry into the matter and report the result of its inquiry to him.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) At any time after a Copyright Tribunal has made a report in relation to the royalty, or the minimum royalty, payable in respect of records generally or in respect of records included in a particular class of records, the regulations may provide that the relevant provision of this Act, in its application in respect of records generally or in respect of records included in that class of records, as the case may be, shall have effect as if it were subject to such variations as are provided by the regulations, being such variations as theMinister thinks equitable.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) Where a Copyright Tribunal has made a report in relation to the royalty, or the minimum royalty, payable in respect of records included in a particular class of records (whether the report related only to records included in that class or also related to other records), the Minister charged with the responsibility for trade and industry shall not, before the expiration of 5 years after the report was made, request an inquiry under subsection (1) in relation to the royalty, or the minimum royalty, as the case may be, payable in respect of records included in that class.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4) In this section, “the relevant provision of this Act” means —

(a) in relation to the royalty payable in respect of any records — section 57(1) or, if that section is affected by regulations made for the purposes of this section, that section as so affected; and

(b) in relation to the minimum royalty payable in respect of any records — sections 57(3) and 58(b)(i) or, if those provisions are affected by regulations made for the purposes of this section, those provisions as so affected.

Conditions upon which manufacturer may include part of a literary or dramatic work in a record of a musical work

60.—(1) Where —

(a) a person makes in Singapore a record comprising the performance of a musical work in which words are sung, or are spoken incidentally to or in association with the music, whether or not there is any other matter comprised in the record;

(b) copyright does not subsist in that work or, if copyright so subsists, the requirements specified in section 56(1) are complied with in relation to that copyright;

(d) a record of the musical work in which those words, or words substantially the same as those words, were sung, or were spoken incidentally to or in association with the music has previously been made in, or imported into, Singapore for the purpose of retail sale and was so made or imported by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright in the literary or dramatic work; and

(e) the like notice was given to the owner of the copyright in the literary or dramatic work as is required by section 56(1)(b) to be given to the owner of the copyright (if any) in the musical work and there is paid to the owner of the copyright in the literary or dramatic

Copyright99 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

work such amount (if any) as is ascertained in accordance with this section,

the making of the record shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the literary or dramatic work.

(2) Where copyright does not subsist in the musical work, the amount to be paid in respect of the literary or dramatic work is an amount equal to the royalty that, but for this section, would have been payable in respect of the musical work if copyright had subsisted in the musical work.

(3) Where copyright subsists in the musical work as well as in the literary or dramatic work —

(a) if the copyrights in those works are owned by the same person— an amount is not payable in respect of the literary or dramatic work; or

(b) if the copyrights in those works are owned by different persons— the royalty that, but for this section, would have been payable in respect of the musical work shall be apportioned between them in such manner as they agree, or, in default of the agreement, as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal on the application of either of them.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) Where the owner of the copyright in a musical work and the owner of the copyright in a literary or dramatic work do not agree on the manner in which an amount is to be apportioned between them but the person who made the record gives an undertaking in writing to each owner to pay to him the portion of that amount that a Tribunal determines to be payable to him, then —

(a) paragraph (d) of section 56(1) and paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of this section shall have effect as if the payments referred to in those paragraphs had been made; and

(b) the person who made the record shall be liable, when the amount to which an undertaking relates is determined, to pay that amount to the owner of the copyright to whom the undertaking was given and the owner may recover that

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from that person as a debt due to the owner.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) The regulations made for the purposes of section 56(1)(d) in relation to payments to the owner of the copyright in a musical work shall have the like effect, with any necessary modifications, for the purposes of subsection (1)(e) in relation to payments to the owner of the copyright in a literary or dramatic work.

Making inquiries in relation to previous records

61. Where —

(a) a person makes inquiries, as prescribed, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a record of a musical work, or a record of a musical work in which words consisting or forming part of a literary or dramatic work were sung or spoken, has previously been made in, or imported into, Singapore by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright in the musical work or in the literary or dramatic work, as the case may be, for the purpose of retail sale or for use in making other records for the purpose of retail sale; and

(b) an answer to those inquiries is not received within the prescribed period,

a record of that musical work, or a record of that work in which those words were sung or spoken, as the case may be, shall, for the purposes of the application of this Division —

(i) in relation to the person who made the inquiries; or

(ii) in relation to a person who makes records of the musical work, or records of that work in which those words or substantially the same words are sung or spoken, for the purpose of supplying those records to the person who made the inquiries in pursuance of an agreement entered into between those persons for the making of the records,

be taken to have been previously made in, or imported into, Singapore with the licence of the owner of that copyright for the purpose of retail

Copyright101 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

sale or for use in making other records for the purpose of retail sale, as the case may be.

Application of Division in relation to record of part of a work

62.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Division shall apply in relation to a record of a part of a musical work in like manner as it applies in relation to a record of the whole of the work.

(2) Section 56(1) shall not apply in relation to —

(a) a record of the whole of a work unless the previous record referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection was a record of the whole of the work; and

(b) a record of a part of a work unless that previous record was a record of, or comprising, that part of the work.

Division 9 — Acts not Constituting Infringements of Copyright in Artistic Works

Sculptures and certain other works in public places

63.—(1) This section shall apply to sculptures and to works of artistic craftsmanship of the kind referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of “artistic work” in section 7.

(2) The copyright in a work to which this section applies that is situated, otherwise than temporarily, in a public place, or in premises open to the public, is not infringed by the making of a painting, drawing, engraving or photograph of the work or by the inclusion of the work in a cinematograph film or in a television broadcast.

Buildings and models of buildings

64. The copyright in a building or a model of a building is not infringed by the making of a painting, drawing, engraving or photograph of the building or model or by the inclusion of the building or model in a cinematograph film or in a television broadcast.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Incidental filming or televising of artistic works

65. Without prejudice to sections 63 and 64, the copyright in an artistic work is not infringed by the inclusion of the work in a cinematograph film or in a television broadcast if its inclusion in the film or broadcast is only incidental to the principal matters represented in the film or broadcast.

Publication of artistic works

66. The copyright in an artistic work is not infringed by the publication of a painting, drawing, engraving, photograph or cinematograph film if, by virtue of section 63, 64 or 65, the making of that painting, drawing, engraving, photograph or film did not constitute an infringement of the copyright.

Artistic works included in a cable programme

67. Sections 63, 64 and 65 shall apply in relation to a cable programme in like manner as they apply in relation to a television broadcast.

Reproduction for purpose of including work in television broadcast or cable programme

68.—(1) Where the inclusion of an artistic work in a television broadcast or cable programme made by a person would not (whether by reason of an assignment or licence or of the operation of a provision of this Act) constitute an infringement of copyright in the work but the making by the person of a cinematograph film of the work would, apart from this subsection, constitute such an infringement, the copyright in the work is not infringed by his making such a film solely for the purpose of the inclusion of the work in a television broadcast or cable programme.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a film if a copy of the film is used for a purpose other than —

(a) the inclusion of the work in a television broadcast or cable programme in circumstances that do not (whether by reason of an assignment or licence or of the operation of a

Copyright103 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

provision of this Act) constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work; or

(b) the making of further copies of the film for the purpose of the inclusion of the work in such a broadcast or programme.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a film where a copy of the film is used for the purpose of the inclusion of the work in a television broadcast or cable programme made by a person who is not the maker of the film unless the maker has paid to the owner of the copyright in the work such amount as they agree or, in default of agreement, has given an undertaking in writing to the owner to pay to him such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal, on the application of either of them, to be equitable remuneration to the owner for the making of the film.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) A person who has given an undertaking referred to in subsection (3) shall be liable, when a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount to which the undertaking relates, to pay that amount to the owner of the copyright in the work and the owner may recover that amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the owner.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a film unless all the copies of the film are destroyed or are delivered, with the consent of the Director of National Archives, to the National Archives of Singapore —

(a) before the expiration of the period of 6 months or, in the case of a film made by a non-profit organisation solely for its own broadcast, 2 years, commencing on the day on which any of the copies of the film is first used for including the work in a television broadcast or cable programme in accordance with that subsection; or

(b) before the expiration of such further period, if any, as is agreed between the maker of the film and the owner of the copyright in the work.

[6/98] [Act 25 of 2012 wef 28/03/2013]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Reproduction of work in different dimensions

69. For the purposes of this Act —

(a) the making of an object of any kind that is in 3 dimensions does not infringe the copyright in an artistic work that is in 2 dimensions; and

(b) the making of an object of any kind that is in 2 dimensions does not infringe the copyright in an artistic work that is in 3 dimensions,

if the object would not appear to persons who are not experts in relation to objects of that kind to be a reproduction of the artistic work.

Special exception for artistic works which have been industrially applied

70.—(1) Despite section 69, the making of any useful article in 3 dimensions (including a reproduction in 2 dimensions reasonably required for the making of the article), or of any non-physical product, does not infringe the copyright in an artistic work if, when the useful article, reproduction or non-physical product is made, the artistic work has been applied industrially in Singapore or in any other country at any time before the useful article, reproduction or non-physical product is made.

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an artistic work is applied industrially if —

(a) more than 50 reproductions in 3 dimensions are made of it, for the purposes of sale or hire;

(b) it is reproduced in 3 dimensions in one or more articles manufactured in lengths, for the purposes of sale or hire; or

(i) more than 50 reproductions of an object in 3 dimensions for the purposes of sale or hire; or

Copyright105 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) one or more articles in 3 dimensions manufactured in lengths for the purposes of sale or hire.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), 2 or more reproductions in 3 dimensions which are of the same general character and intended for use together are a single reproduction.

(4) In this section, “useful article” means an article having an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not merely to portray the appearance of the article or to convey information.

(5) For the purposes of this section, an article that is normally part of a useful article is considered a useful article.

Reproduction of part of work in later work

71.—(1) The copyright in an artistic work is not infringed by the making of a later artistic work by the same author if, in making the later work, the author does not repeat or imitate the main design of the earlier work.

(2) Subsection (1) shall have effect notwithstanding that part of the earlier work is reproduced in the later work and that, in reproducing the later work, the author used a mould, cast, sketch, plan, model or study made for the purposes of the earlier work.

Reconstruction of buildings

72.—(1) Where copyright subsists in a building, the copyright is not infringed by a reconstruction of that building.

(2) Where a building has been constructed in accordance with architectural drawings or plans in which copyright subsists and has been so constructed by, or with the licence of, the owner of that copyright, that copyright is not infringed by a later reconstruction of the building by reference to those drawings or plans.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 10 — Designs

Interpretation of this Division

73.—(1) In this Division “corresponding design”, in relation to an artistic work, means a design which, when applied to an article or a non-physical product, results in a reproduction of that work.

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(2) In this Division —

(a) references to the scope of the copyright in a registered design are references to the aggregate of the things, which, by virtue of the provisions of the Registered Designs Act (Cap. 266), the registered owner of the design has the exclusive right to do; and

(b) references to the scope of the copyright in a registered design as extended to all associated designs, articles and non-physical products are references to the aggregate of the things which, by virtue of that written law, the registered owner would have had the exclusive right to do if —

(i) when that design was registered, there had at the same time been registered every possible design consisting of that design with modifications or variations not sufficient to alter the character or substantially to affect the identity thereof, and that owner had been registered as the owner of every such design; and

(ii) the design in question, and every other design such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (i), had been registered in respect of all the articles and non-physical products to which it was capable of being applied.

[25/2000] [Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(3) In this Division, unless the context otherwise requires, a device for projecting a non-physical product —

Copyright107 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) is any device that when activated projects the non-physical product on a surface or into a medium (including air); and

(b) includes any product or component that is used in or with a device mentioned in paragraph (a) to project the non-physical product on a surface or into a medium (including air).

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

Special exception in respect of industrial design

74.—(1) Where copyright subsists in an artistic work and a corresponding design is registered or deemed registered under the Registered Designs Act (Cap. 266), it shall not be an infringement of the copyright in the work —

(a) to do anything, during the subsistence of the copyright in the registered design, which is within the scope of the copyright in the design; or

(b) to do anything, after the copyright in the registered design has come to an end, which, if it had been done while the copyright in the design subsisted, would have been within the scope of that copyright as extended to all associated designs, articles and non-physical products.

[25/2000]

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(1A) Subsection (1) shall have effect subject to the provisions of the Schedule in cases falling within the Schedule.

(2) Subsections (3), (4), (5) and (6) apply where —

(a) copyright subsists in an artistic work;

(b) a corresponding design is applied industrially, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, by or with the licence of the owner of the copyright in the work;

(c) articles or non-physical products to which the corresponding design has been so applied, or devices for projecting those non-physical products, are sold, let for

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

hire, or offered or exposed for sale or hire, whether in Singapore or elsewhere; and

(d) at the time when those articles, non-physical products or devices are sold, let for hire, or offered or exposed for sale or hire, those articles or non-physical products are not articles or non-physical products in respect of which the corresponding design has been registered, or is deemed to be registered, under the Registered Designs Act.

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(3) Subject to subsection (5) —

(a) during the relevant period of 15 years, it shall not be an infringement of the copyright in the work to do anything which, at the time when it is done, would have been within the scope of the copyright in the design if the design had, immediately before that time, been registered in respect of all relevant articles and non-physical products; and

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(b) after the end of the relevant period of 15 years, it shall not be an infringement of the copyright in the work to do anything which, at the time when it is done, would, if the design had been registered immediately before that time, have been within the scope of the copyright in the design as extended to all associated designs, articles and non-physical products.

[6/98; 25/2000]

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(4) In subsection (3), “the relevant period of 15 years” means the period of 15 years beginning with the date on which articles, non-physical products or devices for projecting those non-physical products, such as are mentioned in subsection (2)(c), were first sold, let for hire or offered for sale or hire, whether in Singapore or elsewhere.

[6/98; 25/2000]

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), no account shall be taken of any articles, non-physical products or devices for projecting those non-physical products, in respect of which, at the time when

Copyright109 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

they were sold, let for hire, or offered for sale or hire, the design in question was excluded from registration under the provisions of the Registered Designs Act or the Registered Designs Act 1949 of the United Kingdom (U.K. 1949, c. 88) (as the case may be), by rules made under the applicable Act (which relates to the exclusion of designs for articles or non-physical products which are primarily literary or artistic in character).

[25/2000]

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(6) For the purposes of any proceedings under this Act a design shall be conclusively presumed to have been excluded under subsection (5) if —

(a) before the commencement of those proceedings —

(i) an application for the registration of the design in respect of those articles or non-physical products under the Registered Designs Act (Cap. 266); or

[Act 29 of 2017 wef 30/10/2017]

(ii) an application for the registration of the design in respect of those articles under the Registered Designs Act 1949 of the United Kingdom (UK 1949, c. 88), being an application made before the date of commencement of the Registered Designs Act,

has been refused;

(b) the reason or one of the reasons stated for the refusal was that the design was excluded from such registration by rules made under the Registered Designs Act or the Registered Designs Act 1949 of the United Kingdom (UK 1949, c. 88) (as the case may be); and

(c) no appeal against that refusal had been allowed before the date of the commencement of the proceedings or was pending on that date.

[25/2000]

(7) The regulations made for the purposes of this section may make provision for determining the circumstances in which a design is, for the purposes of this section, to be deemed to be applied industrially.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 11 — Works of Joint Authorship

References to all of joint authors

75. Subject to this Division, a reference in this Act to the author of a work shall, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act, be read, in relation to a work of joint authorship, as a reference to all the authors of the work.

References to any one or more of joint authors

76. The references in sections 27 and 29(2) to the author of a work shall, in relation to a work of joint authorship, be read as references to any one or more of the authors of the work.

References to whichever of joint authors died last

77. The references in sections 28 and 47 to the author of a work shall, in relation to a work of joint authorship other than a work to which section 78 applies, be read as references to the author who died last.

Works of joint authorship published under pseudonyms

78.—(1) This section shall apply to a work of joint authorship that was first published under 2 or more names of which one was a pseudonym or 2 or more (but not all) were pseudonyms.

(2) This section shall also apply to a work of joint authorship that was first published under 2 or more names all of which were pseudonyms if, at any time within 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the work was first published, the identity of one or more (but not all) of the authors was generally known or could be ascertained by reasonable inquiry.

[21/2004]

(3) The references in sections 28 and 47 to the author of a work shall, in relation to a work to which this section applies, be read as references to the author whose identity was disclosed or, if the identities of 2 or more of the authors were disclosed, as references to whichever of those authors died last.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the identity of an author shall be deemed to have been disclosed if —

Copyright111 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) one of the names under which the work was published was the name of the author; or

(b) the identity of that author is generally known or can be ascertained by reasonable inquiry.

79.—(1) Section 30(2) shall have effect, in relation to a work of joint authorship of which one of the authors is an unqualified person, or 2 or more (but not all) of the authors are unqualified persons, as if the author or authors, other than unqualified persons, had alone been the author or authors, as the case may be, of the work.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person is an “unqualified person” in relation to a work where, if he had alone been the author of the work, copyright would not have subsisted in the work by virtue of this Part.

Inclusion of joint works in collections for use in educational institutions

80. The reference in section 40(2) to other extracts from, or from adaptations of, works by the author of the extract concerned —

(a) shall be read as including a reference to extracts from, or from adaptations of, works by the author of the extract concerned in collaboration with any other person; or

(b) if the extract concerned is from, or from an adaptation of, a work of joint authorship — shall be read as including a reference to extracts from, or from adaptations of, works by any one or more of the authors of the extract concerned, or by any one or more of those authors in collaboration with any other person.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART IV

Division 1 — Preliminary

Interpretation of this Part

81.—(1) In this Part —

“interactive service” means a service that enables an individual to receive —

(a) a transmission of a programme specially created for that individual; or

(b) on request, a transmission of a particular sound recording, whether or not as part of a programme, which is selected by or on behalf of that individual,

but does not include any service that enables an individual to request that particular sound recording be performed for reception by the public at large or, in the case of a subscription service, by all subscribers of that service, unless the programming on each channel of that service consists substantially of sound recordings that are performed within an hour of the request or at a time designated by that individual;

“qualified person” means —

(a) a citizen of Singapore, or an individual resident in Singapore; or

(b) a body corporate incorporated under any written law in Singapore.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(2) In this Part, a reference to the reproduction or making of a copy of any subject-matter includes a reference to the making of a copy which is transient or is incidental to some other use of the subject- matter.

[38/99]

Copyright113 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 2— Nature of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

Nature of copyright in sound recordings

82.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a sound recording, is the exclusive right to do all or any of the following acts:

(a) to make a copy of the sound recording;

(b) to enter into a commercial rental arrangement in respect of the recording;

(d) to make available to the public a sound recording by means of, or as part of, a digital audio transmission.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1)(b) shall not extend to entry into a commercial rental arrangement in respect of a sound recording if —

(a) the copy of the sound recording, not being an infringing copy, was purchased by a person (referred to in this subsection as the record owner) before 16th April 1998;

(b) the commercial rental arrangement is entered into in the ordinary course of a business conducted by the record owner; and

(c) the record owner was conducting the same business, or another business that consisted of, or included, the making of commercial rental arrangements in respect of copies of sound recordings, when the copy was purchased.

[6/98]

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, “make available” for the purposes of this Part does not include the causing of a sound recording to be heard, otherwise than by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission.

[52/2004]

Nature of copyright in cinematograph films

83. For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a cinematograph film, is the exclusive right to do all or any of the following acts:

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) to make a copy of the film;

(b) to cause the film, insofar as it consists of visual images, to be seen in public;

Nature of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts

84.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a television broadcast or sound broadcast, is the exclusive right —

(a) in the case of a television broadcast insofar as it consists of visual images — to make a cinematograph film of the broadcast, or a copy of such a film;

(b) in the case of a sound broadcast, or of a television broadcast insofar as it consists of sounds — to make a sound recording of the broadcast, or a copy of such a sound recording;

(c) in the case of a television broadcast — to cause it, insofar as it consists of visual images, to be seen in public, or, insofar as it consists of sounds, to be heard in public, if it is seen or heard by a paying audience; and

(d) in the case of a television broadcast or a sound broadcast— to re-broadcast it or to otherwise communicate it to the public.

[52/2004]

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), a television broadcast shall be taken to be seen or heard by a paying audience if it is seen or heard by persons who either —

(a) have been admitted for payment to the place where the broadcast is to be seen or heard, or have been admitted for payment to a place of which that place forms part; or

(b) have been admitted to the place where the broadcast is to be seen or heard in circumstances where goods or services are supplied there at prices which exceed the prices usually

Copyright115 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

charged at that place and are partly attributable to the facilities afforded for seeing or hearing the broadcast.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), no account shall be taken —

(a) of persons admitted to the place in question as residents or inmates therein; or

(b) of persons admitted to that place as members of a club or society, where the payment is only for membership of the club or society and the provision of facilities for seeing or hearing television broadcasts is only incidental to the main purposes of the club or society.

Nature of copyright in cable programmes

85.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a cable programme, is the exclusive right to do all or any of the following acts:

(a) insofar as it consists of visual images, to make a cinematograph film of it or a copy of such a film;

(b) insofar as it consists of sounds, to make a sound recording of it or a copy of such a sound recording;

(c) to cause it, insofar as it consists of visual images, to be seen in public, or, insofar as it consists of sounds, to be heard in public, if it is seen or heard by a paying audience;

(d) to communicate it to the public. [52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall apply whether the act in question is done by the reception of the programme or by making use of any record, print, negative, tape or other article on which the programme has been recorded.

(3) In relation to copyright in cable programmes, insofar as they consist of visual images, subsection (1) shall apply to any sequence of images sufficient to be seen as a moving picture; and accordingly, for the purpose of establishing an infringement of such copyright, it shall not be necessary to prove that the act in question extended to more than such a sequence of images.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), a cable programme shall be taken to be seen or heard by a paying audience if it is seen or heard by persons who either —

(a) have been admitted for payment to the place where the programme is to be seen or heard, or have been admitted for payment to a place of which that place forms a part; or

(b) have been admitted to the place where the programme is to be seen or heard in circumstances where goods or services are supplied there at prices which exceed the prices usually charged at that place and are partly attributable to the facilities afforded for seeing or hearing the programme.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(a), no account shall be taken —

(a) of persons admitted to the place in question as residents or inmates therein; or

(b) of persons admitted to that place as members of a club or society, where payment is only for membership of the club or society and the provision of facilities for seeing or hearing cable programmes is only incidental to the main purposes of the club or society.

Nature of copyright in published editions of works

86. For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, copyright, in relation to a published edition of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or of 2 or more literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, is the exclusive right to make, by a means that includes a photographic process, a reproduction of the edition.

Division 3 — Subject-Matter, other than Works, in which Copyright Subsists

Sound recordings in which copyright subsists

87.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in a sound recording of which the maker was a qualified person at the time when the recording was made.

Copyright117 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), copyright shall subsist, subject to the provisions of this Act, in a sound recording if the recording was made in Singapore.

(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2), copyright shall subsist, subject to the provisions of this Act, in a published sound recording if the first publication of the recording took place in Singapore.

Cinematograph films in which copyright subsists

88.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in a cinematograph film of which the maker was a qualified person for the whole or a substantial part of the period during which the film was made.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), copyright shall subsist, subject to the provisions of this Act, in a cinematograph film if the film was made in Singapore.

(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2), copyright shall subsist, subject to the provisions of this Act, in a published cinematograph film if the first publication of the film took place in Singapore.

Television broadcasts and sound broadcasts in which copyright subsists

89. Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist —

(a) in a television broadcast made from a place in Singapore by the holder of a broadcasting licence; and

(b) in a sound broadcast made from a place in Singapore by the holder of a broadcasting licence.

[15/94]

Cable programmes in which copyright subsists

90.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in a cable programme which is included in a cable programme service provided by a qualified person in Singapore.

(2) Copyright shall not subsist in a cable programme by virtue of this section if the programme is included in the cable programme

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

service by the reception and immediate re-transmission of a television broadcast or a sound broadcast.

Published editions of works in which copyright subsists

91.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, copyright shall subsist in a published edition of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or of 2 or more literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, where —

(a) the first publication of the edition took place in Singapore; or

(b) the publisher of the edition was a qualified person at the date of the first publication of the edition.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to an edition that reproduces a previous edition of the same work or works.

Division 4 — Duration of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

Duration of copyright in sound recordings

92. Copyright subsisting in a sound recording by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the recording is first published.

[21/2004]

Duration of copyright in cinematograph films

93.—(1) Copyright subsisting in a cinematograph film by virtue of section 88(1) or (2) shall continue to subsist until the film is published and, after the publication of the film, until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the film was first published.

[21/2004]

(2) Copyright subsisting in a cinematograph film by virtue only of section 88(3) shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the film was first published.

[21/2004]

Copyright119 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Duration of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts

94.—(1) Copyright subsisting in a television broadcast or sound broadcast by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the broadcast was made.

(2) Insofar as a television broadcast or sound broadcast is a repetition (whether the first or a subsequent repetition) of a previous television broadcast or sound broadcast to which section 89 applies, and is made by broadcasting visual images or sounds embodied in any article or thing —

(a) if it is made before the expiration of the period of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the previous broadcast was made — any copyright subsisting in it shall expire at the expiration of that period; and

(b) if it is made after the expiration of that period— copyright shall not subsist in it by virtue of this Part.

Duration of copyright in cable programmes

95. Copyright subsisting in a cable programme by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the cable programme is first included in the cable programme service.

Duration of copyright in published editions of works

96. Copyright subsisting in a published edition of a work or works by virtue of this Part shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 25 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the edition was first published.

Division 5 — Ownership of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

Ownership of copyright in sound recordings

97.—(1) This section shall have effect subject to Part X.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the maker of a sound recording is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the recording by virtue of this Part.

(3) Where —

(a) a person makes, for valuable consideration, an agreement with another person for the making of a sound recording by the other person; and

(b) the recording is made in pursuance of the agreement,

the first-mentioned person is, in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, the owner of any copyright subsisting in the recording by virtue of this Part.

Ownership of copyright in cinematograph films

98.—(1) This section shall have effect subject to Part X.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the maker of a cinematograph film is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the film by virtue of this Part.

(3) Where —

(a) a person makes, for valuable consideration, an agreement with another person for the making of a cinematograph film by the other person; and

(b) the film is made in pursuance of the agreement,

the first-mentioned person is, in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, the owner of any copyright subsisting in the film by virtue of this Part.

Ownership of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts

99. Subject to Part X, a person who is or has been a holder of a broadcasting licence is the owner of any copyright subsisting in a television broadcast or sound broadcast, as the case may be, made by that person.

[15/94]

Copyright121 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Ownership of copyright in cable programmes

100. Subject to Part X, a person providing a cable programme service is the owner of any copyright subsisting in a cable programme included in that service.

Ownership of copyright in published editions of works

101. Subject to Part X, the publisher of an edition of a work or works is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the edition by virtue of this Part.

Division 6— Infringement of Copyright in Subject-Matter other than Works

Interpretation of this Division

102. In this Division, “audio-visual item”means a sound recording, a cinematograph film, a sound broadcast, a television broadcast or a cable programme.

[6/98]

Infringement by doing acts comprised in copyright

103.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is infringed by a person who, not being the owner of the copyright, and without the licence of the owner of the copyright, does in Singapore, or authorises the doing in Singapore of, any act comprised in the copyright.

(2) Sections 104 and 105 shall not affect the generality of subsection (1).

(3) Subsection (1) shall apply in relation to an act done in relation to a sound recording whether the act is done by directly or indirectly making use of a record embodying the recording.

(4) Subsection (1) shall apply in relation to an act done in relation to a television broadcast or a sound broadcast or a cable programme whether the act is done by the reception of the broadcast or programme or by making use of any article or thing in which the visual images and sounds comprised in the broadcast or programme have been embodied.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Infringement by importation for sale or hire

104. A copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is infringed by a person who, without the licence of the owner of the copyright, imports an article into Singapore for the purpose of —

(a) selling, letting for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing for sale or hire, the article;

(b) distributing the article —

(i) for the purpose of trade; or

(ii) for any other purpose to an extent that will affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright; or

where, he knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the making of the article was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright.

Infringement by sale and other dealings

105.—(1) A copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is infringed by a person who, in Singapore, and without the licence of the owner of the copyright —

(a) sells, lets for hire, or by way of trade offers or exposes for sale or hire, an article; or

(b) by way of trade exhibits an article in public,

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the distribution of any articles —

(a) for the purpose of trade; or

(b) for any other purpose to an extent that affects prejudicially the owner of the copyright concerned,

shall be taken to be the sale of those articles.

Copyright123 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and archives

105A. Where —

(a) a person makes an infringing copy of, or of part of, an audio-visual item on a machine (including a computer), being a machine installed by or with the approval of the body administering any library or archives on the premises of the library or archives, or outside those premises for the convenience of persons using the library or archives; and

neither the body administering the library or archives, nor the officer- in-charge of the library or archives, shall be taken to have authorised the making of the infringing copy by reason only that the copy was made on that machine.

[52/2004]

Acts done for purposes of judicial proceeding

106. A copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is not infringed by anything done —

(a) for the purpose of a judicial proceeding or a report of a judicial proceeding;

(b) for the purpose of seeking professional advice from an advocate and solicitor; or

Making of a copy of sound recording for purposes of broadcasting

107.—(1) The copyright in a sound recording is not infringed by the making of a copy of a sound recording solely for the purpose of the broadcasting of the recording.

[6/98]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a copy of a sound recording if the copy is used for a purpose other than —

(a) the broadcasting of the recording; or

(b) the making of further copies of the sound recording for the purpose of the broadcasting of the recording.

[6/98]

(2A) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), where a sound recording is intended for broadcast or is broadcast, the copyright in the sound recording is not infringed by —

(a) the making of a copy of the sound recording for, or the supply of a copy of the sound recording to, any statutory authority; or

(b) the use of a copy of the sound recording by that statutory authority or any of its authorised officers,

for the purpose of ascertaining whether the intended broadcast complies with, or the broadcast contravenes, the provisions of any written law administered by that statutory authority.

[52/2004]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a copy of a sound recording where the copy is used for the purpose of the broadcasting by a person who is not the maker of the copy unless the maker has paid to the owner of the copyright in the recording such amount as they agree or, in default of agreement, has given an undertaking in writing to the owner to pay to him such amount as is determined by a Copyright Tribunal, on the application of either of them, to be equitable remuneration to the owner for the making of the copy.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(4) A person who has given an undertaking referred to in subsection (3) shall be liable, when a Copyright Tribunal has determined the amount to which the undertaking relates, to pay that amount to the owner of the copyright in the recording and the owner may recover that amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the owner.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

Copyright125 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(5) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a copy of a sound recording unless all the copies made in accordance with that subsection are destroyed or are delivered, with the consent of the Director of National Archives, to the National Archives of Singapore —

(a) before the expiration of the period of 6 months or, in the case of a copy made by a non-profit organisation solely for its own broadcast, 2 years, commencing on the day on which any of the copies made in accordance with that subsection is first used for broadcasting the recording in accordance with that subsection; or

(b) before the expiration of such further period, if any, as is agreed between the maker of the copy and the owner of the copyright in the recording.

[6/98] [Act 25 of 2012 wef 28/03/2013]

Making of copy of sound recording or cinematograph film for purpose of simulcasting

107A.—(1) Where the broadcasting of a sound recording or a cinematograph film would not for any reason constitute an infringement of the copyright in the recording or film, but the making of a copy of the recording or film would, apart from this section, constitute an infringement of the copyright, the copyright is not infringed by the making of a copy of the recording or film if the copy is made solely for the purpose of simulcasting the recording or film in digital form.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a copy of a recording or film if the copy is used for a purpose other than —

(a) the simulcasting of the recording or film in circumstances that do not for any reason constitute an infringement of the copyright in the recording or film; or

(b) the making of further copies of the recording or film for the purpose of simulcasting the recording or film in such circumstances.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a copy of a recording or film unless all copies of the recording or film made under that subsection are destroyed before the expiration of the prescribed period.

[52/2004]

Non-subscription digital audio transmissions

107B. Without prejudice to the generality of section 82(3), it is not an infringement of a copyright in a sound recording to make available to the public the sound recording by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission where the transmission —

(a) is a sound broadcast;

(b) is not part of an interactive service; and

Digital audio transmissions within business establishment

107C.—(1) It is not an infringement of a copyright in a sound recording to make available to the public the sound recording by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission if —

(a) the sound recording is made available to the public by such means within the premises of a business establishment;

(b) the making available to the public of the sound recording by such means causes the sound recording to be heard within the premises or immediate surroundings of the business establishment; and

(c) the business carried on in the business establishment does not consist primarily of the making available to the public of sound recordings by such means for payment.

[52/2004]

(2) In this section, “premises” includes any land, building structure and conveyance.

[52/2004]

Copyright127 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Other non-infringing non-interactive transmissions

107D. It is not an infringement of a copyright in a sound recording to make available to the public the sound recording by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission that is not part of an interactive service, if the person who does so pays the owner of the copyright in the sound recording such amount by way of equitable remuneration in respect of the transmission as may be agreed upon between them or, in default of such an agreement, as may be determined by a Copyright Tribunal on the application of either party.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[52/2004]

Temporary copy made in course of communication

107E.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the copyright in an audio- visual item is not infringed by the making of a temporary or transient copy of the audio-visual item if —

(a) the copy is made incidentally as part of the technical process of making or receiving a communication; and

(b) the act of making the communication itself does not constitute an infringement.

[22/2005]

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the making of a temporary or transient copy of an audio-visual item if the copy of the audio-visual item that is communicated —

(a) is an infringing copy of the audio-visual item; or

(b) is a copy that, if it had been made in Singapore, would have been an infringing copy of the audio-visual item.

[22/2005]

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as authorising any subsequent use of the temporary or transient copy of the audio-visual item.

[22/2005]

Provisions relating to cinematograph films

108.—(1) Where the visual images forming part of a cinematograph film consist wholly or principally of images that, at the time when they were first embodied in an article or thing, were

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

means of communicating news, the copyright in the film is not infringed by the causing of the film to be seen or heard, or to be both seen and heard, in public after the expiration of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the principal events depicted in the film occurred.

(2) Where the sounds that are embodied in a sound-track associated with the visual images forming part of a cinematograph film are also embodied in a record, other than such a sound-track or a record derived directly or indirectly from such a sound-track, the copyright in the cinematograph film is not infringed by any use made of that record.

Fair dealing in relation to other subject-matter

109.—(1) Subject to this section, a fair dealing with an audio-visual item for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 110 or 111 shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the item or in any work or other audio-visual item included in the item.

[52/2004]

(2) The purposes for which a dealing with an audio-visual item may constitute a fair dealing under subsection (1) shall include research and study.

[52/2004]

(3) For the purposes of this Act, the matters to which regard shall be had, in determining whether a dealing with an audio-visual item, being a dealing by way of copying the whole or a part of the audio- visual item, constitutes a fair dealing with the audio-visual item for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 110 or 111 shall include —

(a) the purpose and character of the dealing, including whether such dealing is of a commercial nature or is for non-profit educational purposes;

(b) the nature of the audio-visual item;

(d) the effect of the dealing upon the potential market for, or value of, the audio-visual item; and

Copyright129 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) the possibility of obtaining the audio-visual item within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

[52/2004]

Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review

110. A fair dealing with an audio-visual item shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the item or in any work or other audio-visual item included in the item if it is for the purpose of criticism or review, whether of the first-mentioned audio-visual item, another audio-visual item or a work, and a sufficient acknowledgment of the first-mentioned audio-visual item is made.

Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news

111. A fair dealing with an audio-visual item shall not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the item or in any work or other audio-visual item included in the item if —

(a) it is for the purpose of, or is associated with, the reporting of news in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical and a sufficient acknowledgment of the first-mentioned audio- visual item is made; or

(b) it is for the purpose of, or is associated with, the reporting of news by means of broadcasting or a cable programme service, by any other means of communication to the public, or in a cinematograph film.

[52/2004]

Copying of unpublished sound recordings and cinematograph films in libraries or archives

112. Where, at a time more than 50 years after the time at which, or the expiration of the period during which, a sound recording or cinematograph film was made, copyright subsists in the sound recording or cinematograph film but —

(a) the sound recording or cinematograph film has not been published; and

(b) a record embodying the sound recording, or a copy of the cinematograph film, is kept in the collection of a library or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

archives where it is, subject to any regulations governing that collection, accessible to the public,

the copyright in the sound recording or cinematograph film and in any work or other subject-matter included in the sound recording or cinematograph film is not infringed —

(i) by the making of a copy, or the communication, of the sound recording or cinematograph film by a person for the purpose of research or study or with a view to publication; or

(ii) by the making of a copy, or the communication, of the sound recording or cinematograph film by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives, if the copy or the recording or film is supplied (whether by communication or otherwise) to a person who satisfies the officer that he requires the copy or the recording or film for the purpose of research or study or with a view to publication and that he will not use it for any other purpose.

[52/2004]

Copying of sound recordings and cinematograph films for preservation and other purposes

113.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), where a copy of a sound recording, being a sound recording that forms, or formed, part of the collection of a library or archives, is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives —

(a) if the sound recording is held in the collection in the form of a first record— for the purpose of preserving the record against loss or deterioration or for the purpose of research that is being, or is to be, carried out at the library or archives in which the record is held or at another library or archives;

(b) if the sound recording is held in the collection in a published form but has been damaged or has deteriorated — for the purpose of replacing the sound recording; or

Copyright131 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) if the sound recording has been held in the collection in a published form but has been lost or stolen — for the purpose of replacing the sound recording,

the making of the copy does not infringe copyright in the sound recording or in any work or other subject-matter included in the sound recording.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), where a copy of a cinematograph film, being a cinematograph film that forms, or formed, part of the collection of a library or archives, is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of the library or archives —

(a) if the cinematograph film is held in the collection in the form of a first copy — for the purpose of preserving the copy against loss or deterioration or for the purpose of research that is being, or is to be, carried out at the library or archives in which the copy is held or at another library or archives;

(b) if the cinematograph film is held in the collection in a published form but has been damaged or has deteriorated — for the purpose of replacing the cinematograph film; or

(c) if the cinematograph film has been held in the collection in a published form but has been lost or stolen — for the purpose of replacing the cinematograph film,

the making of the copy does not infringe copyright in the cinematograph film or in any work or other subject-matter included in the cinematograph film.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a sound recording, and subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a cinematograph film, held in a published form in the collection of a library or archives unless an authorised officer of the library or archives has, after reasonable investigation, made a declaration stating that he or she is satisfied that a copy (not being a secondhand copy) of the sound recording or cinematograph film, as the case may be, cannot be obtained within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

(4) Where a copy of an unpublished sound recording or an unpublished cinematograph film is made under subsection (1) or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of a library or archives for the purpose of research that is being, or is to be, carried out at another library or archives, the supply of the copy by or on behalf of the officer to the other library or archives does not, for any purpose of this Act, constitute the publication of the sound recording or cinematograph film or of any work or other subject-matter included in the sound recording or cinematograph film.

Copying of online material for National Library Board collection

113A. The copyright in any cinematograph film or sound recording that is or is part of online material made available on a Singapore website is not infringed by the making of a copy of the online material, by or on behalf of the National Library Board, in the performance of its functions under section 6(d) of the National Library Board Act (Cap. 197).

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

Access to cinematograph film and sound recording by users of libraries and archives

113B. If any cinematograph film or sound recording is acquired, or is or is part of online material acquired under section 113A, as part of the collection of a library or archives, the copyright in the cinematograph film or sound recording is not infringed by the officer-in-charge of the library or archives making it available online within the premises of the library or archives in such a manner that users cannot, by using any equipment supplied by the library or archives —

(a) make an electronic copy of the cinematograph film or sound recording; or

(b) communicate the cinematograph film or sound recording. [Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

Filming or recording broadcasts or programmes for private and domestic use

114.—(1) The copyright in a television broadcast or a cable programme, or in a literary, artistic, dramatic or musical work or a

Copyright133 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

cinematograph film included in the broadcast or programme, insofar as it consists of visual images, is not infringed by the making of a cinematograph film of the broadcast or the cable programme for the private and domestic use of the person by whom the cinematograph film is made.

(2) The copyright in a sound broadcast, a television broadcast or a cable programme, or in a literary, dramatic or musical work, a sound recording or a cinematograph film included in the broadcast or programme, insofar as it consists of sounds, is not infringed by the making of a sound recording of the broadcast or the cable programme for the private and domestic use of the person by whom the sound recording is made.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a cinematograph film or a sound recording shall be deemed to be made otherwise than for the private and domestic use of the person by whom it is made if it is made for the purpose of —

(a) the sale or letting for hire of the film or the sound recording, as the case may be;

(b) broadcasting the film or recording or including it in a cable programme; or

Use of broadcasts for educational purposes

115. The making of a record of a sound broadcast or a cinematograph film of a television broadcast or of a cable programme does not constitute an infringement of copyright in a work or sound recording or cinematograph film included in the broadcast or programme, or an infringement of copyright in the broadcast or programme, if —

(a) the record or cinematograph film is made by, or on behalf of, the person or authority in charge of an educational institution; and

(b) the record or cinematograph film is not used except in the course of instruction at that institution.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Copying for course of instruction in making of film or sound- track

115A. Copyright in a sound recording, cinematograph film, television broadcast, sound broadcast or cable programme is not infringed by its being copied in the making of —

(a) a cinematograph film; or

(b) a sound-track associated with the visual images forming part of a cinematograph film,

in the course of instruction, or preparation for instruction, in the making of a cinematograph film or sound-track associated with the visual images forming part of a cinematograph film, if the copying is done by a person giving or receiving such instruction.

[6/98]

Things done for purposes of examination

115B. A copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is not infringed by anything done for the purposes of an examination, whether by way of setting the questions, communicating the questions to the candidates or answering the questions.

[6/98]

Copying, etc., under statutory licence by institutions for reading disabilities

115C.—(1) Subject to the modifications in subsection (2), section 54 shall apply in relation to each of the following subject-matter as it applies in relation to a relevant work that has been published within the meaning of that section:

(a) a sound recording that has been published, other than one that comprises only of the performance of a musical work, or of a musical work in which words are sung, or are spoken incidentally to or in association with the music;

(b) a sound broadcast, other than one that comprises only of the performance of a musical work, or of a musical work in which words are sung, or are spoken incidentally to or in association with the music.

Copyright135 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) The modifications referred to in subsection (1) are as follows:

(a) a reference to an accessible format copy of a work shall be read as a reference to an accessible format copy of the subject-matter in question;

(b) a reference to the making available to any person of an accessible format copy in an electronic form of a work shall, in the case of an accessible format copy of the sound recording referred to in subsection (1)(a), be read as a reference to the making available to that person by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission; and

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

Reproductions of editions of work

116. The copyright in a published edition of a work or works is not infringed by the making of a reproduction of the whole or a part of that edition if that reproduction is made in the course of —

(a) where the edition contains one work only —

(i) a dealing with that work, being a dealing that does not, by virtue of section 35, 36, 37, 38 or 40, infringe copyright in that work; or

(ii) the making of a copy (including a copy for a person with a reading disability or an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy) of the whole or a part of that work, being a copy the making of which does not, by virtue of section 45, 46, 48, 49A, 51, 52, 54 or 54A, infringe copyright in that work; or

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

[Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

(b) where the edition contains more than one work —

(i) a dealing with one of those works or dealings with some or all of those works, being a dealing that does not, or dealings that do not, by virtue of section 35,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

36, 37, 38 or 40, infringe copyright in that work or those works; or

(ii) the making of a copy (including a copy for a person with a reading disability or an intellectually handicapped reader’s copy) of the whole or a part of one of those works or the making of copies (including the copies for persons with reading disabilities or the intellectually handicapped reader’s copies) of the whole or parts of some or all of those works, being a copy the making of which does not, or copies the making of which do not, by virtue of section 45, 46, 48, 49A, 51, 52, 54 or 54A, infringe copyright in that work or in those works.

[6/98] [Act 30 of 2018 wef 31/01/2019]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

Accessories to imported articles

116A.—(1) The copyright in —

(a) a published edition of a work embodied in an accessory to an article; or

(b) a sound recording or cinematograph film that is an accessory to an article,

is not infringed by a person who, without the licence of the owner of the copyright, imports the article into Singapore for a purpose mentioned in section 104(a), (b) or (c) unless the article is an infringing copy.

[14/94]

(2) The operation of this Act in relation to —

(a) a published edition of a work embodied in an article; or

(b) a sound recording or cinematograph film,

is not affected by the operation of this section in relation to —

(i) a published edition of a work, or other subject-matter, embodied in an accessory to the article; or

Copyright137 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) a sound recording or cinematograph film that is an accessory to the article.

[14/94]

(3) If an article is imported into Singapore for a purpose mentioned in section 104(a), (b) or (c), and the importation is not, by reason of this section, an infringement of the copyright in —

(a) a published edition of a work embodied in an accessory to the article;

(b) a sound recording or cinematograph film that is an accessory to the article,

the use of the accessory with the article for any such purpose shall not be an infringement of the copyright in the published edition of a work, or in the sound recording or cinematograph film, and section 105(1) shall not apply to the accessory.

[14/94]

Division 7 — Miscellaneous

Copyrights to subsist independently

117.—(1) Where copyright subsists in any subject-matter by virtue of this Part, nothing in this Part shall be taken to affect the operation of Part III in relation to any literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work from which that subject-matter is wholly or partly derived, and any copyright subsisting by virtue of this Part is in addition to, and independent of, any copyright subsisting by virtue of Part III.

[38/99]

(2) The subsistence of copyright under any provision of this Part shall not affect the operation of any other provision of this Part under which copyright can subsist.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART V

REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENTS OF COPYRIGHT

Division 1 — Preliminary

Interpretation of this Part

118.—(1) In this Part, “action”means a proceeding of a civil nature between parties, and includes a counterclaim.

(2) In the application of this Part in relation to a counterclaim, references to the plaintiff and to the defendant shall be read as references to the defendant and to the plaintiff, respectively.

Division 2 — Actions by Owner of Copyright

Actions for infringement

119.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the owner of a copyright may bring an action for an infringement of the copyright.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in an action for an infringement of copyright, the types of relief that the court may grant include the following:

(a) an injunction (subject to such terms, if any, as the court thinks fit);

(b) damages;

(d) where the plaintiff has elected for an award of statutory damages in lieu of damages or an account of profits, statutory damages of —

(i) not more than $10,000 for each work or subject- matter in respect of which the copyright has been infringed; but

(ii) not more than $200,000 in the aggregate, unless the plaintiff proves that his actual loss from such infringement exceeds $200,000.

[52/2004]

Copyright139 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2A) When the court awards any damages under subsection (2)(b), the court may also make an order under subsection (2)(c) for an account of any profits attributable to the infringement that have not been taken into account in computing the damages.

[52/2004]

(2B) Except as provided for in subsection (2A), the types of relief referred to in subsection (2)(b), (c) and (d) are mutually exclusive.

[52/2004]

(2C) For the purposes of subsection (2)(d), all the parts of a collective work constitute one work.

[52/2004]

(3) Where, in an action for infringement of copyright, it is established that an infringement was committed but it is also established that, at the time of the infringement, the defendant was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for suspecting, that the act constituting the infringement was an infringement of the copyright, 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.

(4) Where, in an action under this section —

(a) an infringement of copyright is established; and

(b) the court is satisfied that it is proper to do so, having regard to —

(i) the flagrancy of the infringement;

(ii) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the infringement; and

(iii) all other relevant matters,

the court may, in assessing damages for the infringement under subsection (2)(b), award such additional damages as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

[52/2004]

(5) In awarding statutory damages under subsection (2)(d), the court shall have regard to —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the nature and purpose of the infringing act, including whether the infringing act was of a commercial nature or otherwise;

(b) the flagrancy of the infringement;

(d) any loss that the plaintiff has suffered or is likely to suffer by reason of the infringement;

(e) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the infringement;

(f) the conduct of the parties before and during the proceedings;

(g) the need to deter other similar infringements; and

(h) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

(6) In this section —

“collective work” means a work in which relevant materials, constituting separate and independent works in themselves, are assembled into a collective whole;

“relevant material” has the same meaning as in section 7A(3). [52/2004]

Order for delivery up of infringing copies, etc.

120.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the court may, in addition to any relief granted under section 119 in any action for an infringement of copyright brought under that section, order any infringing copy, or any article which has been used for making infringing copies, in the possession of the defendant or before the court to be delivered up to the plaintiff.

[6/98; 38/99; 52/2004]

(2) No order shall be made under this section unless the court also makes, or it appears to the court that there are grounds for making, an order under section 120A.

[6/98]

Copyright141 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) A person to whom an infringing copy or other object is delivered up pursuant to an order made under this section shall, if an order under section 120A is not made, retain the copy or object pending the making of an order, or the decision not to make an order, under section 120A.

[6/98]

Order for disposal of infringing copies, etc.

120A.—(1) An application may be made to the court for an order that an infringing copy or other object delivered up pursuant to an order made under section 120 be —

(a) forfeited to the plaintiff; or

(b) destroyed or otherwise dealt with as the court thinks fit. [6/98]

(2) In considering what order, if any, should be made under this section, the court shall have regard to —

(a) whether other remedies available in an action for infringement of copyright would be adequate to compensate the plaintiff and to protect the interests of the plaintiff; and

(b) the need to ensure that no infringing copy is disposed of in a manner that would adversely affect the plaintiff.

[6/98]

(3) The court shall issue directions as to the service of notice on persons having an interest in the copy or other object.

[6/98]

(4) Any person having an interest in the copy or other object is entitled —

(a) to appear in proceedings for an order under this section, whether or not that person is served with notice; and

(b) to appeal against any order made, whether or not that person appears in the proceedings.

[6/98]

(5) An order made under this section shall not take effect until the end of the period within which notice of an appeal may be given or, if

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

before the end of that period notice of appeal is duly given, until the final determination or abandonment of the proceedings on the appeal.

[6/98]

(6) Where there is more than one person interested in a copy or other object, the court may direct that the copy or object be sold, or otherwise dealt with, and the proceeds divided, and shall make any other order as it thinks just.

[6/98]

(7) If the court decides that no order should be made under this section, the person in whose possession the copy or other object was before being delivered up shall be entitled to its return, and the court may order the defendant to pay to the plaintiff such damages as the court thinks just and equitable.

[6/98]

Division 3 — Proceedings where Copyright is subject to Exclusive Licence

Interpretation of this Division

121. In this Division —

“if the licence had been an assignment” means if, instead of the licence, there had been granted (subject to conditions corresponding as nearly as practicable with those subject to which the licence was granted) an assignment of the copyright in respect of its application to the doing, at the places and times authorised by the licence, of the acts so authorised;

“the other party” means —

(a) in relation to the owner of the copyright — the exclusive licensee; and

(b) in relation to the exclusive licensee — the owner of the copyright.

Application

122. This Division shall apply to proceedings in relation to a copyright in respect of which an exclusive licence has been granted

Copyright143 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

and is in force at the time of the events to which the proceedings relate.

Rights of exclusive licensee

123. Subject to this Division, the exclusive licensee shall, except against the owner of the copyright, have the same rights of action as the owner of the copyright would have, and be entitled to the same remedies as he would be entitled to, by virtue of sections 119, 120 and 120A if the licence had been an assignment, and those rights and remedies are concurrent with the rights and remedies of the owner of the copyright under those sections.

[38/99]

Joinder of owner or exclusive licensee as party

124. Where —

(a) an action is brought by the owner of the copyright or by the exclusive licensee; and

(b) the action, insofar as it is brought under section 119, relates, in whole or in part, to an infringement in respect of which the owner and the licensee have concurrent rights of action under that section,

the owner or licensee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to proceed with the action without joining the other party as a plaintiff or adding the other party as a defendant in the action, unless the court orders otherwise.

[52/2004]

Defences available against exclusive licensee

125. In an action brought by the exclusive licensee by virtue of this Division, a defence under this Act that would have been available to a defendant in the action if the action had been brought by the owner of the copyright shall be available to that defendant as against the exclusive licensee.

Assessment of damages where exclusive licence granted

126. Where an action to which section 124 applies is brought and the owner of the copyright and the exclusive licensee are not both

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

plaintiffs in the action, the court, in assessing damages or statutory damages in respect of an infringement of a kind referred to in that section, shall —

(a) if the plaintiff is the exclusive licensee— take into account any liabilities, in respect of royalties or otherwise, to which the licence is subject; and

(b) whether the plaintiff is the owner of the copyright or the exclusive licensee — take into account any pecuniary remedy already awarded to the other party under section 119 in respect of that infringement, or any right of action exercisable by the other party under that section in respect of that infringement, as the case requires.

[52/2004]

Apportionment of profits between owner and exclusive licensee

127. Where —

(a) an action, insofar as it is brought under section 119, relates, in whole or in part, to an infringement in respect of which the owner of the copyright and the exclusive licensee have concurrent rights of action under that section; and

(b) in that action, whether the owner of the copyright and the exclusive licensee are both parties or not, an account of profits is directed to be taken in respect of that infringement,

then, subject to any agreement of which the court is aware by which the application of those profits is determined as between the owner of the copyright and the exclusive licensee, the court shall apportion the profits between them in such a manner as the court considers just and shall give such directions as the court considers appropriate for giving effect to that apportionment.

Separate actions in relation to the same infringement

128. In an action brought by the owner of the copyright or by the exclusive licensee —

(a) a judgment or order for the payment of damages or statutory damages in respect of an infringement of

Copyright145 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

copyright shall not be given or made under section 119 if a final judgment or order has been given or made in favour of the other party directing an account of profits under that section in respect of the same infringement; and

(b) a judgment or order for an account of profits in respect of an infringement of copyright shall not be given or made under that section if a final judgment or order has been given or made in favour of the other party awarding damages or statutory damages or directing an account of profits under that section in respect of the same infringement.

[52/2004]

Liability for costs

129. Where, in an action to which section 124 applies, whether brought by the owner of the copyright or by the exclusive licensee, the other party is not joined as a plaintiff (either at the commencement of the action or at a later time), but is added as a defendant, the other party is not liable for any costs in the action unless he enters an appearance and takes part in the proceedings.

Division 4 — Proof of Facts in Copyright Proceedings

Presumptions as to subsistence and ownership of copyright

130.—(1) In an action brought by virtue of this Part —

(a) copyright shall be presumed to subsist in the work or other subject-matter to which the action relates if the defendant does not put in issue the question whether copyright subsists in the work or other subject-matter; and

(b) where the subsistence of the copyright is established— the plaintiff shall be presumed to be the owner of the copyright if he claims to be the owner of the copyright and the defendant does not put in issue the question of his ownership.

(1A) Where the defendant puts in issue the question of whether copyright subsists in the work or other subject-matter or whether the plaintiff is the owner of the copyright, but does not satisfy the court

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

that he does so in good faith, the presumption as to the subsistence or ownership of copyright under subsection (1)(a) or (b), as the case may be, shall apply notwithstanding that the defendant puts that question in issue.

[52/2004]

(1B) Where the defendant, in good faith, puts in issue the question of whether copyright subsists in the work or other subject-matter or whether the plaintiff is the owner of the copyright, an affidavit made on behalf of the plaintiff in which the plaintiff makes assertions of facts relevant to showing —

(a) that copyright subsists in the work or other subject-matter; and

(b) that he is the owner of the copyright,

shall be admitted in evidence and shall be prima facie proof of the matters stated therein until the contrary is proved, unless the court directs that oral evidence be adduced to prove those matters.

[52/2004]

(2) Where a defendant, without good faith, puts in issue the questions of whether copyright subsists in a work or other subject- matter to which the action relates, or the ownership of copyright in such work or subject-matter, thereby occasioning unnecessary costs or delay in the proceedings, the court may direct that any costs to the defendant in respect of the action shall not be allowed to him and that any costs occasioned by the defendant to other parties shall be paid by him to such other parties.

Presumptions in relation to authorship of work

131.—(1) Where a name purporting to be that of the author of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work appeared on copies of the work as published or a name purporting to be that of the author of an artistic work appeared on the work when it was made, the person whose name so appeared, if it was his true name or a name by which he was commonly known, shall, in an action brought by virtue of this Part, be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to be the author of the work and to have made the work in circumstances to which section 30(4), (5) and (6) does not apply.

Copyright147 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Where a work is alleged to be a work of joint authorship, subsection (1) shall apply in relation to each person alleged to be one of the authors of the work as if references in that subsection to the author were references to one of the authors.

(3) Where, in an action brought by virtue of this Part in relation to a photograph —

(a) it is established that, at the time when the photograph was taken, a person was the owner of the material on which the photograph was taken or, if the ownership of that material as at that time is not established, that a person was the owner of the apparatus by which the photograph was taken; or

(b) neither the ownership as at the time when the photograph was taken of the material on which it was taken nor the ownership as at that time of the apparatus by which it was taken is established but it is established that, at the time of the death of a person, the photograph was owned by the person or, if the ownership of the photograph as at that time is not established, was in the possession or custody of the person,

the person shall be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to have been the person who took the photograph.

Presumptions in relation to publisher of work

132. Where, in an action brought by virtue of this Part in relation to a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, section 131 does not apply, but it is established —

(a) that the work was first published in Singapore and was so published during the period of 70 years that ended immediately before the commencement of the calendar year in which the action was brought; and

(b) that a name purporting to be that of the publisher appeared on copies of the work as first published,

then, unless the contrary is established, copyright shall be presumed to subsist in the work and the person whose name so appeared shall be

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

presumed to have been the owner of that copyright at the time of the publication.

[21/2004]

Presumptions where author has died

133.—(1) Where, in an action brought by virtue of this Part in relation to a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, it is established that the author is dead —

(a) the work shall be presumed to be an original work unless the contrary is established; and

(b) if it is alleged by the plaintiff that a publication specified in the allegation was the first publication of the work, and that it took place in a country and on a date so specified, that publication shall be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to have been the first publication of the work, and to have taken place in that country and on that date.

(2) Where —

(a) a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work has been published;

(b) the publication was anonymous or is alleged by the plaintiff to have been pseudonymous; and

(c) it is not established that the work has ever been published under the true name of the author, or under a name by which he was commonly known, or that the identity of the author is generally known or can be ascertained by reasonable inquiry,

subsection (1)(a) and (b) shall apply, in an action brought by virtue of this Part in relation to the work, in like manner as that subsection shall apply where it is established that the author is dead.

Evidence in relation to proceedings

134. In an action brought by virtue of this Part in relation to copyright in a sound recording, if records embodying the recording as supplied to the public bear a label or other mark stating —

Copyright149 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) that a person specified on the label or mark was the owner of copyright in the recording;

(b) that the recording was first published in a specified year; or

the label or mark shall be sufficient evidence of the facts so stated except insofar as the contrary is established.

[6/98]

Presumptions in relation to maker of film

135. Where the name of a person appeared on copies of a cinematograph film as made available to the public in such a way as to imply that the person was the maker of the film and, in the case of a person other than a body corporate, that name was his true name or a name by which he was commonly known, that person shall, in an action brought by virtue of this Part, be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to be the maker of the film and to have made the film in circumstances to which section 98(3) does not apply.

Division 5 — Offences

Offences

136.—(1) A person who at a time when copyright subsists in a work —

(a) makes for sale or hire;

(b) sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade offers or exposes for sale or hire; or

any article which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be an infringing copy of the work shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for the article or for each article in respect of which the offence was committed or $100,000, whichever is the lower, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

[6/98]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) A person who at a time when copyright subsists in a work has in his possession or imports into Singapore any article which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be an infringing copy of the work for the purpose of —

(a) selling, letting for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing for sale or hire, the article;

(b) distributing the article for the purpose of trade, or for any other purpose to an extent that will affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright in the work; or

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for the article or for each article in respect of which the offence was committed or $100,000, whichever is the lower, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

[6/98]

(3) Any person who, at a time when copyright subsists in a work, distributes, either —

(a) for purposes of trade; or

(b) for other purposes, but to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright,

articles which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be infringing copies of the work, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.

(3A) Where, at any time when copyright subsists in a work —

(a) a person does any act that constitutes an infringement of the copyright in a work other than an act referred to in subsection (1), (2), (3) or (6);

(b) the infringement of the copyright in the work by the person is wilful; and

(i) the extent of the infringement is significant;

Copyright151 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) the person does the act to obtain a commercial advantage,

the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.

[52/2004]

(4) A person who, at a time when copyright subsists in a work, makes or has in his possession an article specifically designed or adapted for making copies of the work that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is to be used for making infringing copies of the work, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 for each such article in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[6/98]

(5) Subsections (1) to (4) shall apply in relation to copyright subsisting in any subject-matter by virtue of Part IV in like manner as they apply in relation to copyright subsisting in a work by virtue of Part III.

(6) Any person who for his private profit causes a literary, dramatic or musical work to be performed in public, or causes a cinematograph film to be seen or heard or seen and heard in public, other than by the reception of a television broadcast or cable programme, where he knows, or ought reasonably to know, that copyright subsists in the work or cinematograph film and that the performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(6A) For the purposes of subsection (3A)(c)(i), in determining whether the extent of the infringement is significant, the court shall have regard to —

(a) the volume of any articles that are infringing copies;

(b) the value of any articles that are infringing copies;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

(6B) For the purposes of subsection (3A)(c)(ii), a person does an act for the purpose of obtaining a commercial advantage if the act is done to obtain a direct advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business or trade carried on by him.

[52/2004]

(7) For the purposes of this section (other than subsection (3A)), any person who has in his possession 5 or more infringing copies of any work or other subject-matter shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed —

(a) to be in possession of such copies otherwise than for private and domestic use; or

(b) to be in possession of such copies for the purpose of sale. [52/2004]

(8) The court before which a person is charged with an offence by reason of a contravention of any of the provisions of this section may, whether he is convicted of the offence or not, order that any article that appears to the court to be an infringing copy or any article which has been used for making infringing copies in the possession of the alleged offender or before the court, be destroyed or delivered up to the owner of the copyright concerned or otherwise dealt with in such manner as the court thinks fit.

[6/98; 38/99; 52/2004]

(9) If information is given upon oath to a court that there is reasonable cause for suspecting that there is in any premises any article or document which is evidence that an offence under subsection (1), (2), (3), (3A) or (4) has been committed, the court may issue, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit, a warrant authorising a police officer to enter and search the premises for the articles and documents which are specified in the warrant, whether specifically or in any general category, and to seize any such articles and documents found at the premises.

[52/2004]

Copyright153 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(10) If an article was seized under subsection (9) and —

(a) in proceedings brought under this section, no order is made under subsection (8) as to the article; or

(b) no such proceedings are instituted within 6 months of the seizure,

the article shall be returned to the person in whose possession it was when it was seized or, if it is not reasonably practicable to return it to that person, shall be disposed of in accordance with the law regulating the disposal of lost or unclaimed property in the hands of police authorities.

[6/98]

(11) If a document was seized under subsection (9) and no proceedings under this section are instituted within 6 months of the seizure, the document and all copies of the document shall be returned to the person in whose possession the document was when it was seized or, if it is not reasonably practicable to return the document and copies to that person, shall be disposed of in accordance with the law regulating the disposal of lost or unclaimed property in the hands of police authorities.

[6/98]

(12) In this section —

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

“premises” includes any land, building, structure and conveyance.

[6/98]

Affidavit evidence

137.—(1) An affidavit made before a notary public by or on behalf of the owner of the copyright in any work or other subject-matter and stating —

(a) that at the time specified therein, copyright subsisted in the work or other subject-matter;

(b) that he or the person named therein is the owner of the copyright; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

shall be admitted in evidence in any proceedings for an offence under this Part and shall be prima facie proof of the matters stated therein until the contrary is proved.

(2) The court before which such affidavit is produced shall presume that the affidavit was made by or on behalf of the owner of the copyright.

(3) If an accused to any proceedings for an offence under this Part desires in good faith that the person who made an affidavit referred to in subsection (1) be cross-examined with respect to the matters in the affidavit, the affidavit may not be used in the proceedings unless the person appears as a witness for such cross-examination or the court before which the proceedings are being conducted, in its discretion, permits the affidavit to be used without the person so appearing.

Powers of police officer

138.—(1) Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person who, in any street or public place —

(a) sells or exposes or offers for sale; or

(b) has, or is reasonably suspected of having, in his possession for the purpose of selling or letting for hire,

any infringing copy of any work or other subject-matter.

(2) Any authorised officer may, without a warrant issued under section 136(9) —

(a) stop, search and board, whether forcibly or otherwise, any conveyance in which he reasonably suspects that there is any infringing copy of any work or other subject-matter; and

(b) seize, remove or detain any such infringing copy and anything which appears to him —

(i) to be or to contain; or

(ii) to be likely to be or to contain,

Copyright155 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

evidence of an offence under this Act. [52/2004]

(3) In this section, “authorised officer” means —

(a) a police officer;

(b) an officer of customs as defined in the Customs Act (Cap. 70);

(d) any officer or class or description of officers appointed by the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on an authorised officer by this section.

[52/2004]

Advertisement for supply of infringing copies of computer programs

139.—(1) Any person who, by any means, publishes, or causes to be published, in Singapore an advertisement for the supply in Singapore (whether from within or outside Singapore) of a copy of a computer program which is an infringing copy shall, unless he proves that he acted in good faith and had no reasonable grounds for supposing that copyright would or might thereby be infringed, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a transmission of a computer program that, when received and recorded, will result in the creation of a copy of the computer program shall be deemed to constitute the supply of a copy of the computer program at the place where the copy will be created.

Court for trial of offences

140. Notwithstanding the provisions of any written law to the contrary, a District Court or Magistrate’s Court shall have jurisdiction to try any offence under this Act and award the full punishment for such offence.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 6 — Border Enforcement Measures

Subdivision (1) — Preliminary provisions [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Interpretation of this Division and Division 7

140A. In this Division and Division 7, unless the context otherwise requires —

“aircraft” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act (Cap. 272A);

“authorised officer” means —

(a) an officer of customs as defined in section 3 of the Customs Act (Cap. 70); or

(b) any officer or class or description of officers appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed on an authorised officer by this Division and Division 7;

“copyright material” means —

(a) a work;

(b) a sound recording;

(d) a published edition of a work; or

(e) a television or a sound broadcast as recorded in a cinematograph film or a sound recording;

“Director-General” means the Director-General of Customs appointed under section 4(1) of the Customs Act;

“goods in transit”means goods imported, whether or not landed or transhipped within Singapore, which are to be carried to another country either by the same or another conveyance;

“master” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act (Cap. 272A);

[Deleted by Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Copyright157 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“owner”, in relation to the copyright in copyright material, includes an exclusive licensee of the copyright in the material;

“pilot of an aircraft” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act;

“requestor”, in relation to particular seized copies, means the person who gave the written notice under section 140B(1) as a result of the giving of which the copies were seized;

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

“retention period”, in relation to particular seized copies, means —

(a) the period specified in the notice given under section 140E(2) in respect of those copies; or

(b) if that period has been extended under section 140E(6), that period as so extended;

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

“seized copies” means copies seized under section 140B(7);

“senior authorised officer” means —

(a) a senior officer of customs as defined in section 3 of the Customs Act; and

“vehicle” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act (Cap. 272A);

“vessel” has the same meaning as in the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act.

[6/98; 4/2003]

Delegation of Director-General’s powers

140AA. The Director-General may delegate to a senior officer of customs (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Customs Act) any

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

of the powers of the Director-General under this Division (except the power of delegation conferred by this section), subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Director-General may determine.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

Fees

140AB.—(1) The Minister charged with the responsibility for customs duties may make regulations to prescribe the fees payable to the Director-General in connection with the administration of this Division and Division 7.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), regulations may be made to prescribe fees for the following purposes:

(a) for the escort of a conveyance conveying copies of copyright material seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA;

(b) for the attendance of an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer in connection with the inspection or destruction of such seized copies;

(c) for the attendance of an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer in connection with any other act or service under this Division or Division 7.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Subdivision (2) — Seizure of copies on request [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Restriction of importation or exportation of copies of works, etc.

140B.—(1) A person who is the owner of the copyright in any copyright material or a licensee thereof may give the Director- General a written notice —

(a) stating that he is —

(i) the owner of the copyright in the copyright material; or

(ii) a licensee thereof having the power to give such a notice;

Copyright159 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) stating that copies of the copyright material which are infringing copies are expected to be imported or exported;

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(i) to identify the copies of the copyright material;

(ii) to enable the Director-General to ascertain the time when and place where the copies are expected to be imported or exported; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(iii) to satisfy the Director-General that the copies are infringing copies; and

(d) requesting the Director-General to seize the copies. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[52/2004]

(2) A notice under subsection (1) must be —

(a) in the form determined by the Director-General, and supported by such documents and information as the Director-General may require; and

(b) accompanied by the fee prescribed under section 140AB. [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(3) Subject to subsection (4), this section applies to copies of copyright material —

(a) made wholly or partly outside Singapore the making of which was carried out without the consent of the owner of the copyright; or

(b) made in Singapore the making of which constituted an infringement of copyright.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(4) This section shall not apply to copies of copyright material which are goods in transit.

[6/98]

(5) Unless it is revoked under subsection (6), a notice under subsection (1) shall remain in force until —

(a) the 59th day after the day on which the notice was given; or [Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) the end of the period for which the copyright in the copyright material to which the notice relates is to subsist,

whichever is the earlier. [6/98]

(6) A notice under subsection (1) may be revoked by written notice given to the Director-General by the person who gave the first- mentioned notice or by a subsequent owner of the copyright in the copyright material to which the notice relates.

[6/98]

(7) If —

(a) a notice has been given under this section in respect of copyright material that complies with subsection (2);

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) the notice has not lapsed or been revoked; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

an authorised officer may seize the copies. [6/98]

(8) The Minister may make regulations that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Subdivision, and in particular to provide —

(a) for the times at which, and the manner in which, notices are to be given;

(b) for the giving of information and evidence to the Director- General; and

(c) that an authorised officer may refuse to seize copies of any copyright material because of non-compliance with any direction of the Director-General or any such regulation.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Security for liability or expense of seizure, storage and disposal

140C. An authorised officer may refuse to seize copies under section 140B(7) unless —

Copyright161 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the requestor has deposited with the Director-General a sum of money that, in the opinion of the Director-General, is sufficient to reimburse the Government for any liability or reasonable expense it is likely to incur in relation to the seizure, storage and disposal of the copies, and pay such compensation as may be ordered by the court under section 140I(7) or 140IA(2); or

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

(b) the requestor has given security, to the satisfaction of the Director-General, for the reimbursement of the Government for any such liability or expense.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

[6/98; 38/99]

Secure storage of seized copies

140D. At the Director-General’s direction, seized copies must be taken to a secure place the Director-General directs, either by the person in possession, custody or control of those copies immediately before the seizure or the requestor, whoever the Director-General considers appropriate.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Notice of seizure

140E.—(1) As soon as is practicable after copies are seized under section 140B(7), the Director-General shall give to the importer or exporter (as the case may be), and the requestor, personally, by post or (with the prior consent of the addressee) by email, a written notice identifying the copies and stating that the identified copies have been seized.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[6/98]

(2) A notice under subsection (1) shall state that the copies will be released to the importer or exporter unless —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) an action for infringement of copyright in respect of the copies is instituted by the requestor within a specified period after the day specified in the notice; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) the requestor gives written notice to the Director-General within that period stating that the action for infringement of copyright has been instituted.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[6/98]

(3) The period to be specified for the purposes of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is the period prescribed for the purposes of that paragraph.

[6/98]

(4) The day specified for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) shall not be earlier than the day on which the notice is given.

[6/98]

(5) The requestor may, by written notice given to the Director- General before the end of the period specified in a notice for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) (the initial period), request that the period be extended.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[6/98]

(6) Subject to subsection (7), if —

(a) a request is made in accordance with subsection (5); and

(b) the Director-General is satisfied that it is reasonable that the request be granted,

the Director-General may extend the initial period by such period as is prescribed.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[6/98]

(7) A decision on a request made in accordance with subsection (5) shall be made within 2 working days after the request is made, but such a decision cannot be made after the end of the initial period to which the request relates.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[6/98]

Copyright163 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Persons bound to give information or produce documents

140EA.—(1) At any time after copies of copyright material have been seized under section 140B(7), an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has any information or document that the officer considers is relevant for any of the purposes in subsection (2), may require that person to provide to the officer that information or document at a time and place specified by the officer.

(2) The purposes mentioned in subsection (1) are —

(a) to enable the Director-General to satisfy a request under section 140EB (whether or not such a request has actually been received);

(b) to enable any action to be taken under this Subdivision or Subdivision (3) in relation to future shipments of goods; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(3) A person who —

(a) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1); or

(b) in purported compliance with such requirement, knowingly or recklessly provides any information or document that is false or misleading in a material particular,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(4) A person is not excused from providing any information or document in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) on the ground that it might tend to incriminate the person.

(5) Where the person claims, before providing any information or document pursuant to a requirement under subsection (1), that it might tend to incriminate the person, then the information or document is not admissible in evidence against the person in

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

criminal proceedings other than proceedings for an offence under subsection (3).

(6) No information or document that is provided pursuant to a requirement under subsection (1) may be published, or communicated or disclosed to any person, except where and to the extent it is necessary for a purpose in subsection (2).

(7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

Information on import or export

140EB.—(1) After copies of copyright material have been seized under section 140B(7), the Director-General may, upon the request of the requestor, and if the Director-General is satisfied that the information is necessary to enable the requestor to institute an action for infringement of copyright, give the requestor the name and contact details of any person connected with the import or proposed export (as the case may be) of the seized copies.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) Subsection (1) applies despite any duty of confidentiality imposed by the common law on the Director-General or a person to whom the Director-General has delegated the power under that subsection.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

Inspection, release, etc., of seized copies

140F.—(1) The Director-General may permit the requestor or the importer or exporter (as the case may be) to inspect the seized copies.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) If the requestor gives the Director-General the requisite undertakings, the Director-General may permit the requestor to

Copyright165 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

remove a sample of the seized copies from the custody of the Director-General for inspection by the requestor.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(3) If the importer or exporter (as the case may be) gives the Director-General the requisite undertakings, the Director-General may permit the importer or exporter to remove a sample of the seized copies from the custody of the Director-General for inspection by the importer or exporter.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(4) The requisite undertakings are undertakings in writing that the person giving the undertaking will —

(a) return the sample copy to the Director-General at a specified time that is satisfactory to the Director- General; and

(b) take reasonable care to prevent damage to the sample copy. [6/98]

(5) If the Director-General permits inspection of the seized copies, or the removal of a sample copy, by the requestor in accordance with this section, the Director-General is not liable to the importer or exporter for any loss or damage suffered by the importer or exporter arising out of —

(a) damage to any of the seized copies incurred during that inspection; or

(b) anything done by the requestor or any other person to, or in relation to, a sample copy removed from the custody of the Director-General or any use made by the requestor of such a sample copy.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Forfeiture of seized copies by consent

140G.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the importer or exporter (as the case may be) may, by written notice and the giving of the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

prescribed written undertakings to the Director-General, consent to the seized copies being forfeited to the Government.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

(2) The notice shall be given before any action for infringement of copyright in relation to the copies is instituted.

[6/98]

(3) If the importer or exporter satisfies the requirements of subsection (1), the copies are forfeited to the Government and shall be disposed of —

(a) in the manner prescribed by the regulations; or

(b) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director- General directs.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

Compulsory release of seized copies to importer or exporter

140H.—(1) The Director-General shall release seized copies (not being copies forfeited to the Government under section 140G) to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible after the expiration of the retention period for the copies if the requestor has not, before the expiration of that period —

(a) instituted an action for infringement of the relevant copyright in respect of the copies; and

(b) given written notice to the Director-General stating that the action has been instituted.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) [Deleted by Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(3) If —

(a) an action for infringement of copyright has been instituted in respect of seized copies; and

Copyright167 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) on the 22nd day after the day on which the action was instituted, there is not in force an order of the court in which the action was instituted preventing the release of the copies,

the Director-General shall release the copies to the importer or the exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible after the firstmentioned day.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(4) If the requestor gives written notice to the Director-General stating that he consents to the release of the seized copies, the Director-General shall release the copies to the importer or the exporter (as the case may be) as soon as possible.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(5) This section shall have effect subject to section 140J. [6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Provision relating to actions for infringement of copyright

140I.—(1) In this section and section 140IA, “infringement action” means an action for an infringement of copyright constituted by the importation of seized copies or by the making of seized copies.

[6/98; 38/99]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) The court in which an infringement action is pending may, on the application of a person having a sufficient interest in the subject- matter of the action, allow the person to be joined as a defendant to the action.

[6/98]

(3) An authorised officer is entitled to be heard on the hearing of an infringement action.

[6/98]

(4) In addition to any relief that may be granted apart from this section, the court may —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) at any time, order that the seized copies be released to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) subject to such conditions, if any, as the court thinks fit;

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) order that the seized copies not be released to the importer or exporter (as the case may be) before the end of a specified period; or

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(5) A court may not make an order under subsection (4)(a) if it is satisfied that the Government or any statutory authority is required or permitted under any other law to retain control of the seized copies.

[6/98]

(6) The Director-General shall comply with an order made under subsection (4).

[6/98]

(7) If —

(a) the action is dismissed or discontinued, or the court decides that the relevant copyright was not infringed by the importation or making of the seized copies; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) a defendant to the infringement action satisfies the court that he has suffered loss or damage as a result of the seizure of the copies,

the court may order the requestor to pay compensation in such amount as the court thinks fit to that defendant.

[6/98; 38/99]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Compensation for failure to take action

140IA.—(1) Where copies have been seized pursuant to a notice given under section 140B and the requestor concerned fails to take infringement action within the retention period for the copies, a

Copyright169 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

person aggrieved by such seizure may apply to the court for an order of compensation against the requestor.

[38/99]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) Where the court is satisfied that the applicant had suffered loss or damage as a result of the seizure of the copies, the court may order the requestor to pay compensation in such amount as the court thinks fit to the applicant.

[38/99]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(3) [Deleted by Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Retention of control of seized copies

140J. Notwithstanding section 140H, in a case in which no order has been made under section 140I(4) in relation to seized copies, the Director-General is not obliged to release or dispose of the copies if the Government is required or permitted, under any other law, to retain control of the copies.

[6/98]

Disposal of seized copies

140K.—(1) If a court orders that seized copies are to be forfeited to the Government, the copies shall be disposed of —

(a) in the manner prescribed by the regulations; or

(b) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director- General directs.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

(2) If —

(a) the Director-General gives to the importer or exporter a written notice of the release of seized copies; and

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) the importer or exporter fails to take custody of the seized copies within the period specified in the notice,

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

the Director-General may dispose of the copies —

(i) in the manner prescribed by regulations; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director-General directs.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 10/10/2018]

Insufficient security

140L.—(1) If the reasonable expenses incurred by the Director- General in relation to any action taken by the Director-General under this Subdivision, or taken in accordance with an order of a court under this Subdivision exceed the amount deposited, or the amount of the security given, under section 140C, the amount of the excess is a debt due to the Government.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) The debt created by subsection (1) is due by the requestor, or, if there are 2 or more requestors, by the requestors jointly and severally.

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Subdivision (3) — Ex-officio seizure of copies

Seizure and inspection of infringing copies

140LA.—(1) Despite section 140B(7), an authorised officer may —

(a) examine any copies of copyright material to which this subsection applies, including goods in transit; or

(b) seize any copies of copyright material to which this subsection applies —

(i) that are imported into, or that are to be exported from, Singapore; and

(ii) that are not goods in transit, unless they are consigned to a person with a commercial or physical presence in Singapore.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to copies of copyright material that the authorised officer reasonably suspects are infringing copies of the copyright material.

Copyright171 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) As soon as practicable after the copies of the copyright material are seized under subsection (1)(b), the Director-General must give personally, by post or (with the prior consent of the addressee) by email, a written notice to —

(a) the importer, exporter or consignee (as the case may be) of the seized copies (called in this Subdivision the dealer); and

(b) the owner of the copyright in the copyright material.

(4) The written notice in subsection (3) must —

(a) identify the copies seized; and

(b) set out the rights of the dealer in section 140F (as applied by subsection (5)), and the requirements in section 140LB.

(5) Section 140F applies in relation to the seized copies as it applies in relation to copies of copyright material seized under section 140B(7), with the following modifications:

(a) replace a reference to the requestor with a reference to the owner of the copyright in the copyright material;

(b) replace a reference to the importer or exporter with a reference to the dealer.

(6) At the Director-General’s direction, seized copies must be taken to a secure place the Director-General directs by such of the following as the Director-General considers appropriate:

(a) the person in possession, custody or control of those copies immediately before the seizure;

(b) the owner of the copyright material (but only if the owner has satisfied section 140LB(1)(a) and (b)).

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Requirements for continued detention

140LB.—(1) If the owner of the copyright in the copyright material wants the Director-General to continue to detain the seized copies of the copyright material so that the owner may institute an action for infringement of copyright in relation to them, the owner must, within

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the prescribed period after the date of the notice in section 140LA(3) —

(a) give to the Director-General a written notice of this in the form determined by the Director-General, supported by such documents and information as the Director-General may require, and accompanied by the fee prescribed under section 140AB; and

(b) either —

(i) deposit with the Director-General a sum of money that, in the Director-General’s opinion, is sufficient for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2); or

(ii) give security to the Director-General’s satisfaction for such purpose,

unless the owner had earlier given such deposit or security to the Director-General and the deposit had not been forfeited or returned or the security is still effective.

(2) The purpose in subsection (1) is the reimbursement to the Government of —

(a) any liability or reasonable expense it is likely to incur in relation to the seizure, storage and disposal of the copies; and

(b) the payment of such compensation as the court may order under section 140LI or section 140I(7) (as applied by section 140LH).

(3) If subsection (1) is not satisfied, the Director-General must release the seized copies to the dealer.

(4) The Minister may make regulations that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Subdivision, and in particular to provide —

(a) for the times at which, and the manner in which, notices are to be given;

(b) for the giving of information and evidence to the Director- General; and

Copyright173 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) that the Director-General may release seized copies of any copyright material to the dealer concerned because of non- compliance with any direction of the Director-General or any such regulation.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Notice to take action

140LC.—(1) If section 140LB(1)(a) and (b) has been satisfied by the owner of the copyright in the copyright material, the Director- General must, as soon as practicable, give to the owner and the dealer personally, by post or (with the prior consent of the addressee) by email, a written notice stating that the copies will be released to the dealer unless —

(a) an action for infringement of copyright in relation to the copies is instituted by the owner within a prescribed period after the day specified in the notice; and

(b) the owner gives written notice to the Director-General within the period in paragraph (a) stating that such action has been instituted.

(2) Section 140E(4) to (7) applies in relation to a notice under subsection (1) as it applies in relation to a notice under section 140E(1), as if a reference to the requestor is a reference to the owner of the copyright in the copyright material.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Persons bound to give information or produce documents

140LD.—(1) At any time after copies of copyright material have been seized under section 140LA, an authorised officer or a senior authorised officer who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has any information or document that the officer considers is relevant for any of the purposes in subsection (2) may require that person to provide to the officer that information or document at a time and place specified by the officer.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) The purposes mentioned in subsection (1) are —

(a) to enable the Director-General to satisfy a request under section 140LE (whether or not such a request has actually been received);

(b) to enable any action to be taken under this Subdivision or Subdivision (2) in relation to future shipments of goods; and

(3) A person who —

(a) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1); or

(b) in purported compliance with such requirement, knowingly or recklessly provides any information or document that is false or misleading in a material particular,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(4) A person is not excused from providing any information or document in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) on the ground that it might tend to incriminate the person.

(7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding

Copyright175 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

$6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Information on import or export

140LE.—(1) After section 140LB(1)(a) and (b) has been satisfied by the owner of the copyright material, the Director-General may, upon the request of the owner, and if the Director-General is satisfied that the information is necessary to enable the owner to institute an infringement action, give the owner the name and contact details of any person connected with the import or proposed export (as the case may be) of the seized copies.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Forfeiture of seized copies by consent

140LF.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the dealer may, by written notice and the giving of the prescribed written undertakings to the Director-General, consent to the seized copies being forfeited to the Government.

(2) The notice must be given before any action for infringement of copyright in relation to the copies is instituted.

(3) If the dealer satisfies the requirements of subsection (1), the copies are forfeited to the Government and must be disposed of —

(a) in the manner prescribed by regulations; or

(b) if no manner of disposal is so prescribed, as the Director- General directs.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Compulsory release of seized copies to dealer

140LG.—(1) The Director-General must release the seized copies (not being copies forfeited to the Government under section 140LF) to the dealer as soon as possible after the date of expiry of the period

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

specified in the notice under section 140LC(1) (including any extension of that period under section 140E(6) as applied by section 140LC(2)), if the owner of the copyright in the copyright material has not, before that date —

(a) instituted an action for infringement of the copyright in respect of the copies; and

(b) given written notice to the Director-General stating that the action has been instituted.

(2) If —

(a) an action for infringement of copyright has been instituted in respect of the seized copies; and

(b) on the 22nd day after the day on which the action was instituted, there is not in force an order of the court preventing the release of the copies,

the Director-General must release the copies to the dealer as soon as possible after the firstmentioned day.

(3) If the owner of the copyright in the copyright material gives a written notice to the Director-General stating that the owner consents to the release of the seized copies, the Director-General must release the copies to the dealer as soon as possible.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Provisions relating to actions for infringement of copyright

140LH. Section 140I applies in relation to an action for infringement of copyright constituted by the import of the copies seized under section 140LA or the making of the copies so seized, as it applies in relation to an action for infringement of copyright constituted by the import of the copies seized under section 140B(7) or the making of the copies so seized, with the following modifications:

(a) replace a reference to the requestor with a reference to the owner of the copyright in the copyright material;

(b) replace a reference to the importer or exporter with a reference to the dealer.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Copyright177 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Compensation for failure to take action

140LI.—(1) Where —

(a) copies of copyright material have been seized under section 140LA;

(b) the copies continue to be detained because section 140LB(1)(a) and (b) has been satisfied; and

(c) the owner fails to take infringement action within the period specified in the notice under section 140LC(1) (including any extension of that period under section 140E(6) as applied by section 140LC(2)),

a person aggrieved by the seizure may apply to the court for an order of compensation against the owner.

(2) Where the court is satisfied that the applicant has suffered loss or damage as a result of the seizure of the copies, the court may order the owner to pay to the applicant compensation of such amount as the court thinks fit.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Retention of control of seized copies

140LJ. Despite section 140LG and any regulation made under section 140LB(4)(c), in a case in which no order has been made under section 140I(4) (as applied by section 140LH) in relation to the seized copies, the Director-General is not obliged to release or dispose of the copies if the Government is required or permitted, under any other law, to retain control of the copies.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Disposal of seized copies

140LK. Section 140K applies in relation to copies of copyright material seized under section 140LA, as it applies in relation to copies of copyright material seized under section 140B(7), with a reference to the importer or exporter replaced with a reference to the dealer.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Insufficient security

140LL.—(1) If the reasonable expenses incurred by the Director- General in relation to any action taken by the Director-General under this Subdivision, or taken in accordance with an order of a court under this Subdivision exceed the amount deposited, or the amount of the security given, under section 140LB, the amount of the excess is a debt due to the Government.

(2) The debt created by subsection (1) is due by the owner of the copyright in the copyright material or, if there are 2 or more such owners, by the owners jointly and severally.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Division 7 — Powers of Search

Powers of search in relation to vessels, aircrafts and vehicles

140M.—(1) A senior authorised officer or an authorised officer acting in accordance with the general or special directions of a senior authorised officer may board any conveyance in Singapore and may rummage and search all parts of the conveyance for copies of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA.

[6/98; 52/2004]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) For the more effective exercise of the powers conferred by this section, a senior authorised officer may do all or any of the following:

(a) require the master of any vessel in Singapore to heave to;

(b) by direction to the master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft in Singapore, require the vessel or aircraft, as the case may be, not to proceed until so authorised;

(c) require any documents which ought to be on board any vessel or aircraft, being documents relating to any goods therein, to be brought to him for inspection;

(d) break open and forcibly enter any place or receptacle in any conveyance to which he cannot otherwise reasonably obtain access;

Copyright179 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) by direction to the master of any vessel in Singapore, require the vessel to proceed to any specified anchorage, wharf or place to which the vessel may lawfully go;

(f) by direction to the master of any vessel in Singapore, require him to move or discharge any cargo or other goods therein;

(g) require the person in charge of a vehicle —

(i) to stop and not to proceed until so authorised; or

(ii) to bring the vehicle to any police station or examination station;

(h) direct that the removal of any goods from or placed in any vessel be prohibited until so authorised;

(i) require the master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft to produce a complete manifest of the whole cargo of the vessel or aircraft and a complete list of stores carried by that vessel or aircraft.

[6/98]

(3) An authorised officer may exercise, in respect of any vehicle or any vessel not exceeding 75 tons net tonnage, the powers which are conferred upon a senior authorised officer by subsection (2) other than the powers conferred by paragraph (d) of that subsection.

[6/98]

(4) It shall be presumed in any proceedings arising out of any thing done under this section, unless the contrary is proved, that any authorised officer, not being a senior authorised officer, by whom the thing was done was acting in accordance with the general or special direction of a senior authorised officer.

[6/98]

(5) If any vessel or aircraft fails to comply with any lawful requisition or direction given or made under this section, a senior authorised officer may take all such steps as appear to him necessary to secure such compliance.

[6/98]

(6) Any person who contravenes this section or who fails to comply with any lawful requisition or direction given or made thereunder

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

[6/98]

(7) An authorised officer may exercise the powers conferred by this section in respect of a vessel under way if he reasonably suspects that it is not in transit through Singapore.

[6/98]

Examination of packages

140N.—(1) Any goods, package, box, chest or other article which is being or has recently been imported, or is being exported, and in regard to which a reasonable suspicion exists that it is or that it contains a copy of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA may be —

(a) examined and searched by an authorised officer or detained until any person in charge thereof has opened it for examination and search;

(b) subjected to such infringement verification, or tests or analysis, as the authorised officer thinks fit;

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(c) forcibly opened by, or by order of, a senior authorised officer to facilitate the examination and search except that any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article shall be afforded every reasonable facility for being present at the opening, examination and search; or

(d) marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by an authorised officer pending examination and search.

[6/98; 52/2004]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) Any person, other than an authorised officer, who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any mark, lock, seal or other means of securing any goods, package, box, chest or other article referred to in subsection (1)(d) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

[6/98]

Copyright181 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) In this section, “infringement verification” means any process (whether or not involving the owner of the copyright in the copyright material concerned) to determine if any article is or contains a copy of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA.

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Power to remove packages and goods to police station or examination station

140O.—(1) For the more convenient exercise of the powers conferred by section 140N, an authorised officer may remove any package, box, chest or other article or any goods to a police station or examination station or may require it to be so removed by the owner thereof or his agent or any person having the custody, charge or control thereof.

[6/98]

(2) Any person who fails to comply with any such requisition shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000.

[6/98]

(3) Upon the failure by a person to comply with such a requisition, an authorised officer may remove the package, box, chest, article or goods (as the case may be) in the manner provided by subsection (1) and all the expenses of such removal (as certified by a senior authorised officer) shall be recoverable as a fine from that person or from the owner of the package, box, chest, article or goods (as the case may be).

[6/98]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Search of persons and baggage

140P.—(1) Any person landing or being about to land or having recently landed from any vessel or aircraft, or leaving any vessel or aircraft in Singapore whether for the purpose of landing or otherwise, or entering or having recently entered Singapore by land, sea or air, shall —

(a) on demand by an authorised officer, either permit his person and goods and baggage to be searched by the officer

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

for any copy of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA or, together with the goods and baggage, accompany the officer to a police station or an examination station, and there permit his person and goods and baggage to be searched in the presence and under the supervision of a senior authorised officer for any copy of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA; or

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(b) on demand by a senior authorised officer, permit his person and goods and baggage to be searched by the officer, or in the presence and under the supervision of the officer, for any copy of copyright material liable to be seized under section 140B(7) or 140LA.

[6/98; 52/2004]

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

(2) Whenever it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman and with strict regard to decency.

[6/98]

(3) The goods and baggage of any person who requests to be present when they are searched shall not be searched except in his presence, unless he fails to be present after being given reasonable facility for being present.

[6/98]

(4) Any person who refuses to comply with any lawful demand made under this section may be arrested without warrant by the authorised officer making the demand.

[6/98]

Powers of authorised officers to enter certain premises

140Q.—(1) For the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by sections 140M to 140P, an authorised officer may, without warrant, enter upon —

(a) any islet, landing place, wharf, dock, railway or quay;

Copyright183 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) any premises of a provider of port services or facilities licensed or exempted under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Cap. 170A); or

(c) any premises of any airport operated under a licence or exemption under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Act (Cap. 41).

(2) In this section, “railway” has the meaning given by the Railways Act (Cap. 263).

[Act 34 of 2018 wef 21/11/2019]

Obstruction

141. Any person who —

(a) refuses any authorised officer or senior authorised officer access to any vessel, aircraft, vehicle or place which the officer is entitled under this Division; or

(b) obstructs or hinders any authorised officer or senior authorised officer in the execution of any power conferred upon that officer by this Division,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

[6/98]

Division 8 — Miscellaneous

Limitation of actions in respect of infringement of copyright

142. An action shall not be brought for an infringement of copyright, after the expiration of 6 years from the time when the infringement took place.

PART VI

COMPULSORY LICENCES FOR TRANSLATION AND REPRODUCTION OF CERTAIN WORKS

Interpretation of this Part

143. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Licence to produce and publish translations

144. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

Licence to reproduce and publish works for certain purposes

145. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

Licence for domestic broadcasting organisation

146. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

Termination of licences granted under this Part

147. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

Discontinuation of this Part

148. [Repealed by Act 21 of 2004]

PART VII

Division 1 — Preliminary

Interpretation of this Part

149.—(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —

“deputy president” means a deputy president of the Tribunals appointed by the Minister under section 151A(1)(b);

“licence” means a licence granted by or on behalf of the owner or prospective owner of the copyright in a work or other subject-matter to do an act comprised in the copyright;

“licence scheme” means a scheme (including anything in the nature of a scheme, whether called a scheme or tariff or called by any other name) formulated by a licensor and setting out the classes of cases in which the licensor is willing to grant licences and the charges (if any) subject to payment of which, and the conditions subject to which, licences would be granted in those classes of cases;

Copyright185 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“licensor”means any association, body or organisation (whether incorporated or unincorporated) which —

(a) carries on the business of negotiating, granting or otherwise collectively administering licences in relation to a repertoire of works or other subject- matter by different authors, makers or publishers who are not affiliated with that association, body or organisation within the meaning of subsection (3); and

(b) negotiates, grants or otherwise collectively administers such licences either as the owner or prospective owner of the copyrights in such works or other subject-matter or as the agent or representative of the owners or prospective owners of the copyrights in such works or other subject-matter;

“member” means a member of a Tribunal and includes the president or deputy president presiding over the Tribunal;

“order” includes an interim order;

“organisation” means an organisation or association of persons whether corporate or unincorporate;

“panel” means the panel appointed by the Minister under section 151A(4);

“party” includes a person or an organisation making representations to a Tribunal at an inquiry under section 157;

“president” means the president of the Tribunals appointed by the Minister under section 151A(1)(a);

“proceeding”, in relation to a Tribunal, includes an inquiry by the Tribunal under section 157.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) In this Part —

(a) a reference to conditions is a reference to any conditions other than conditions relating to the payment of a charge;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) a reference to giving an opportunity to a person or organisation of presenting a case is a reference to giving the person or organisation an opportunity, at the option of the person or organisation, of submitting representations in writing, or of being heard, or of submitting representations in writing and being heard;

(c) a reference to a person who requires a licence of a particular kind includes a reference to a person who holds a licence of that kind if the person will, at the expiration of the period for which the licence was granted, require a renewal of that licence or a grant of a further licence of the same kind; and

(d) a reference to proceedings for infringement of copyright includes a reference to proceedings brought in respect of an alleged contravention of section 136(6).

(3) For the purpose of the definition of “licensor” in subsection (1), the author, maker or publisher of any work or other subject-matter is affiliated with the association, body or organisation which carries on the business of negotiating, granting or otherwise collectively administering licences in relation to that work or other subject- matter if such author, maker or publisher produced or published that work or other subject-matter in the course of his employment with, or under a commission from —

(a) that association, body or organisation; or

(b) any other association, body or organisation which is related, in such manner as may be prescribed, to the first-mentioned association, body or organisation.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Cases to which licence schemes apply

150.—(1) For the purposes of this Part, a case shall, subject to subsection (2), be deemed to be a case to which a licence scheme applies if, in accordance with a licence scheme for the time being in operation, a licence would be granted in that case.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, where, in accordance with a licence scheme —

Copyright187 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the licences that would be granted would be subject to conditions by virtue of which particular matters would be excepted from the licences; and

(b) a case relates to one or more matters falling within such an exception,

that case shall be deemed not to be a case to which the scheme applies.

Division 2 — Constitution of Tribunal

Establishment of Tribunals

151.—(1) There shall be established one or more Copyright Tribunals for the purposes of this Part.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Subject to subsection (3), each Tribunal shall be constituted by —

(a) the president or a deputy president designated by the president, who shall preside over the Tribunal; and

(b) 2 other members selected by the president from amongst the members of the panel.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the president or a deputy president presiding over a Tribunal may preside alone at any preliminary hearing of an application or a reference to deal with any matter connected with the application or reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Appointment of president, deputy president and members of Tribunal

151A.—(1) The Minister shall appoint —

(a) the president of the Tribunals; and

(b) not more than 2 deputy presidents of the Tribunals. [23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) No person shall be appointed as the president of the Tribunals unless he possesses the qualifications required for a District Judge

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

under section 9(3) of the State Courts Act (Cap. 321) or is a District Judge appointed under section 9(1) of that Act.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[Act 5 of 2014 wef 07/03/2014]

(3) No person shall be appointed as a deputy president of the Tribunals unless he is a qualified person (as defined in section 2 of the Legal Profession Act (Cap. 161)) of not less than 5 years’ standing.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) For the purpose of enabling a Tribunal to be constituted under this Part, the Minister shall appoint a panel consisting of not more than 15 persons with such qualifications as he may consider necessary and shall publish their names in the Gazette.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) The Minister may appoint a Secretary to the Tribunals and such other officers and employees of the Tribunals as the Minister may determine.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Remuneration and allowances

151B.—(1) There shall be paid to each member of a Tribunal who is not a public officer such remuneration (whether by way of salaries or fees), and such allowances, as the Minister may determine.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The remuneration and allowances of the members of a Tribunal and such other expenses of a Tribunal as the Minister may determine shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) The remuneration of the Secretary to the Tribunals and the other officers and employees appointed under section 151A(5) shall be paid out of the funds of the Office.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Tenure of office

152.—(1) Subject to this section, the president, a deputy president and any member of the panel shall hold office for such period as may be determined by the Minister at the time of their respective

Copyright189 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

appointments and shall be eligible for re-appointment upon the expiry of their respective terms of office.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The president, a deputy president or any member of the panel may at any time by notice in writing to the Minister resign his appointment.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) The Minister may terminate the appointment of the president, a deputy president or any member of the panel on the ground of his unfitness to continue in office or his incapacity to perform the duties thereof.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Continuation of hearing on change in constitution of Tribunal

153.—(1) If during the course of any proceedings of a Tribunal being presided over by the president —

(a) the president (referred to as the former president) is, by reason of illness, absence or any other cause, unable to perform the duties of his office; and

(b) the Minister appoints a new president to replace him,

the Tribunal shall be reconstituted accordingly and the new president shall preside over it in place of the former president.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) If during the course of any proceedings of a Tribunal —

(a) the deputy president who has been designated by the president under section 151(2)(a) to preside over the Tribunal; or

(b) a member of the panel who has been selected by the president under section 151(2)(b) to be a member of the Tribunal,

is, by reason of illness, absence or any other cause, unable to perform the duties of his office in relation to those proceedings, the president may reconstitute the Tribunal by doing any of the following, as the case requires:

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) preside over the Tribunal in place of the deputy president referred to in paragraph (a);

(ii) designate the other deputy president to preside over the Tribunal;

(iii) select any other member of the panel to replace that member referred to in paragraph (b).

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) A Tribunal as reconstituted under subsection (1) or (2) —

(a) may hear and determine the proceedings as have not been determined and in so hearing may have regard to the evidence given, the arguments adduced and any interim order made during any previous hearing; and

(b) shall, if requested by all the parties to the proceedings, hear the proceedings afresh.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) or (2), any president, deputy president or member of the panel whose appointment expires during the course of any proceedings of a Tribunal over which he is then presiding or of which is a member shall, for the purpose of such proceedings and until their determination, be deemed to remain a president, deputy president or member of the Tribunal, as the case may be.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Quorum

154. Except in the case of a preliminary hearing of an application or a reference, all 3 members of a Tribunal (as stipulated in section 151(2)) must be present to form a quorum for the purposes of any proceedings before the Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Decision of Tribunal

155. If the members of a Tribunal dealing with any reference or application are unable to agree as to the order to be made by the Tribunal, a decision shall be taken by the votes of the majority.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Copyright191 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Sittings of Tribunal

156.—(1) The sittings of a Tribunal on any matter or matters before it, including any preliminary hearing, shall be held at such places and times as are determined by the president or deputy president presiding over the Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The exercise of the powers of a Tribunal shall not be affected by a vacancy or vacancies in the membership of the Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Division 3 — Inquiries by, and Applications and References to, Tribunal

Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making recording or film of a work

156A.—(1) This section shall apply where an application is made to a Tribunal under section 43(3) or 68(3) for the determination of an equitable remuneration to be paid to the owner of the copyright in a work for the making of a sound recording or cinematograph film of the work or of an adaptation of the work.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(2) The parties to an application in relation to which this section applies are —

(a) the owner of the copyright in the work; and

(b) the maker of the recording or film. [6/98]

(3) Where an application in relation to which this section applies is made to a Tribunal, the Tribunal shall consider the application and, after giving to the parties to the application an opportunity of presenting their cases, shall make an order determining the amount that it considers to be equitable remuneration to the owner of the copyright for the making of the recording or film.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making copy of sound recording

156B.—(1) This section shall apply where an application is made to a Tribunal under section 107(3) for the determination of an equitable remuneration to be paid to the owner of the copyright in a sound recording for the making of a copy of the sound recording.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

(2) The parties to an application in relation to which this section applies are —

(a) the owner of the copyright in the sound recording; and

(b) the maker of the copy of the sound recording. [6/98]

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

Application to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making available to public sound recording by means of digital audio transmission

156C.—(1) This section shall apply where an application is made to a Tribunal under section 107D for the determination of equitable remuneration to be paid to the owner of the copyright in a sound recording for the making available to the public of the sound recording by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission that is not part of an interactive service.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[52/2004]

(2) The parties to an application in relation to which this section applies are —

(a) the owner of the copyright in the sound recording; and

Copyright193 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) the person who makes available to the public the sound recording by means of or as part of a digital audio transmission that is not part of an interactive service.

[52/2004]

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[52/2004]

(4) In this section, “interactive service” has the same meaning as in section 81(1).

[52/2004]

Inquiries into royalty payable in respect of records of musical works

157.—(1) This section shall apply where the Minister charged with the responsibility for trade and industry requests a Tribunal under section 59 to hold an inquiry in relation to the royalty, or the minimum royalty, payable in respect of records generally, or in respect of records included in a particular class of records.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Where such a request is made, the Tribunal shall hold the inquiry and shall give every person or organisation that the Tribunal is satisfied has a substantial interest in the matter to which the inquiry relates an opportunity of presenting a case to the Tribunal.

(3) As soon as practicable after the completion of the inquiry, the Tribunal shall make a report in writing to the Minister setting out the result of the inquiry.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Applications to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable to owner of copyright for copies made under statutory licence

158.—(1) This section shall apply where application is made to a Tribunal under section 52(11) or (11C), 54(15) (including that provision as applied by section 115C) or 54A(7) for the determination of an equitable remuneration to be paid to the owner of the copyright in a work or other subject-matter for the making of, or the making available or distribution to a person of (as the case requires) —

(a) copies;

(b) a copy for a person with reading disability; or

of the whole or of a part of that work or subject-matter. [Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(2) The parties to an application in relation to which this section applies are —

(a) the owner of the copyright in a work; and

(b) the body by which, or on behalf of which, the copies or copy referred to in subsection (1) were or was made, made available or distributed (as the case requires).

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(3) Where an application in relation to which this section applies is made to a Tribunal, the Tribunal shall consider the application and, after giving the parties to the application opportunities of presenting their cases —

(a) shall make an order determining the amount that it considers to be equitable remuneration to the owner of the copyright for the making, making available or distribution (as the case requires) of the copies or copy; and

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) may, subject to the regulations, make such order as to costs as the Tribunal thinks fit.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

Copyright195 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4) Where a Tribunal makes, under subsection (3), an order that one party to an application pay an amount by way of costs to the other party to the application, the first-mentioned party shall pay that amount to the other party and, in default of payment, the first- mentioned party may recover that amount from the other party in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to him.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Applications to Tribunal for apportionment of royalty in respect of a record

159.—(1) This section shall apply where an application is made to a Tribunal under section 60(3)(b) for an apportionment of an amount payable in respect of a record between the owner of the copyright in a musical work and the owner of the copyright in a literary or dramatic work.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The parties to an application in relation to which this section applies are —

(a) the owner of the copyright in the musical work; and

(b) the owner of the copyright in the literary or dramatic work.

(3) Where an application in relation to which this section applies is made to a Tribunal, the Tribunal shall consider the application and, after giving to the parties to the application an opportunity of presenting their cases, shall make an order apportioning the amount to which the application relates between the parties in such manner as it thinks equitable.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Reference of proposed licence schemes to Tribunal

160.—(1) Where a licensor proposes to bring a licence scheme into operation, he may refer the scheme to a Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The parties to a reference under this section are —

(a) the licensor referring the scheme; and

(b) such organisations or persons (if any) as apply to the Tribunal to be made parties to the reference and, in

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

accordance with subsection (3), are made parties to the reference.

(3) Where an organisation (whether claiming to be representative of persons requiring licences or not) or a person (whether requiring a licence or not) applies to a Tribunal to be made a party to a reference, and the Tribunal is satisfied that the organisation or person has a substantial interest in the operation of the scheme to which the reference relates, the Tribunal may, if it thinks fit, make that organisation or person a party to the reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) A Tribunal shall consider a scheme referred under this section and, after giving to the parties to the reference an opportunity of presenting their cases, shall make such order, either confirming or varying the scheme, or substituting the scheme with such other scheme, as the Tribunal considers reasonable in the circumstances.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) An order (other than an interim order) of a Tribunal under this section may, notwithstanding anything in the licence scheme to which it relates, be made so as to be in force either indefinitely or for such period as the Tribunal thinks fit.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) Where a licence scheme has been referred to a Tribunal under this section, the licensor may do either or both of the following things:

(a) bring the scheme into operation before the Tribunal makes an order in pursuance of the reference;

(b) withdraw the reference at any time before the Tribunal makes an order in pursuance of the reference, whether the scheme has been brought into operation or not.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(7) If the scheme is not brought into operation before an order is made in pursuance of the reference, the scheme as confirmed, varied or substituted by the order comes into operation, notwithstanding anything in the scheme, immediately upon the making of the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(8) After the making of an order in pursuance of the reference, the scheme as confirmed, varied or substituted by the order shall remain

Copyright197 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

in operation, notwithstanding anything in the scheme, so long as the order remains in force.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Reference of existing licence schemes to Tribunal

161.—(1) Where, at any time while a licence scheme is in operation, a dispute arises with respect to the terms of the scheme between the licensor operating the scheme and —

(a) an organisation claiming to be representative of persons requiring licences in cases included in a class of cases to which the scheme applies; or

(b) any person claiming that he requires a licence in a case included in a class of cases to which the scheme applies,

the licensor, organisation or person concerned may refer the scheme to a Tribunal insofar as the scheme relates to cases included in that class.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The parties to a reference under this section are —

(a) the licensor, organisation or person referring the scheme;

(b) if the reference is not made by the licensor operating the scheme — that licensor; and

(c) such other organisations or persons (if any) as apply to the Tribunal to be made parties to the reference and, in accordance with subsection (3), are made parties to the reference.

(3) Where an organisation (whether claiming to be representative of persons requiring licences or not) or a person (whether requiring a licence or not) applies to a Tribunal to be made a party to a reference, and the Tribunal is satisfied that the organisation or person has a substantial interest in the matter in dispute, the Tribunal may, if it thinks fit, make that organisation or person a party to the reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) A Tribunal shall not begin to consider a reference under this section by an organisation unless the Tribunal is satisfied that the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

organisation is reasonably representative of the class of persons that it claims to represent.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Subject to subsection (4), where a licence scheme is referred to a Tribunal under this section, the Tribunal shall consider the matter in dispute and, after giving to the parties to the reference an opportunity of presenting their cases, shall make such order, either confirming or varying the scheme, or substituting the scheme with such other scheme, insofar as it relates to cases included in the class of cases to which the reference relates, as the Tribunal considers reasonable in the circumstances.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) An order (other than an interim order) of a Tribunal under this section may, notwithstanding anything in the licence scheme to which it relates, be made so as to be in force either indefinitely or for such period as the Tribunal thinks fit.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(7) A reference of a licence scheme to a Tribunal under this section may be withdrawn at any time before an order is made in pursuance of the reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(8) Where a licence scheme has been referred to a Tribunal under this section, the scheme shall remain in operation, notwithstanding anything in the scheme, until the Tribunal makes an order in pursuance of the reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(9) Subsection (8) shall not apply in relation to a reference with respect to any period after the reference has been withdrawn or after the Tribunal has refused to begin to consider the reference in pursuance of subsection (4).

(10) After the making of an order in pursuance of the reference, the scheme as confirmed, varied or substituted by the order shall remain in operation, notwithstanding anything in the scheme, so long as the order remains in force.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Copyright199 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Further reference of licence schemes to Tribunal

162.—(1) Where a Tribunal has made an order (other than an interim order) under section 160 or 161 with respect to a licence scheme, then, subject to subsection (2), at any time while the order remains in force —

(a) the licensor operating the scheme;

(b) any organisation claiming to be representative of persons requiring licences in cases included in the class of cases to which the order applies; or

may refer the scheme again to a Tribunal insofar as it relates to cases included in that class.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) A licence scheme shall not, except with the leave of a Tribunal, be referred again to a Tribunal under subsection (1) at a time earlier than —

(a) where the order concerned was made so as to be in force indefinitely or for a period exceeding 15 months — the expiration of the period of 12 months commencing on the date on which the order was made; or

(b) where the order concerned was made so as to be in force for a period not exceeding 15 months — the commencement of the period of 3 months ending on the date of expiration of the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) The parties to a reference under this section are —

(a) the licensor, organisation or person referring the scheme;

(b) if the reference is not made by the licensor operating the scheme — that licensor; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

accordance with the provisions applicable in that behalf by virtue of subsection (5), are made parties to the reference.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) Subject to subsection (5), where a licence scheme is referred to a Tribunal under this section, the Tribunal shall consider the matter in dispute and, after giving to the parties to the reference an opportunity of presenting their cases, shall make such order in relation to the scheme as previously confirmed, varied or substituted, insofar as it relates to cases included in the class of cases to which the reference relates, whether by way of confirming, varying or further varying the scheme, or substituting the scheme with such other scheme, as the Tribunal considers reasonable in the circumstances.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Section 161(3), (4) and (6) to (10) inclusive shall apply for the purposes of this section.

(6) Subsections (1) to (5) shall have effect in relation to orders made under this section in like manner as they have effect in relation to orders made under section 160 or 161.

(7) Nothing in this section shall prevent a licence scheme in respect of which an order has been made under section 160 or 161 from being again referred to a Tribunal under that section —

(a) insofar as the scheme relates to cases included in a class of cases to which the order does not apply— at any time; and

(b) insofar as the scheme relates to cases included in the class of cases to which the order applied while it was in force— after the expiration of the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Application to Tribunal in relation to licences

163.—(1) A person who claims, in a case to which a licence scheme applies, that the licensor operating the scheme has refused or failed to grant him a licence in accordance with the scheme, or to procure the grant to him of such a licence, may apply to a Tribunal under this section.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Copyright201 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) A person who claims, in a case to which a licence scheme applies, that he requires a licence but that the grant of a licence in accordance with the scheme would, in that case, be subject to the payment of charges, or to conditions, that are not reasonable in the circumstances of the case, may apply to a Tribunal under this section.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) A person who claims that he requires a licence in a case to which a licence scheme does not apply (including a case where a licence scheme has not been formulated or is not in operation) and —

(a) that a licensor has refused or failed to grant the licence, or to procure the grant of the licence, and that in the circumstances it is unreasonable that the licence should not be granted; or

(b) that a licensor proposes that the licence should be granted subject to the payment of charges, or to conditions, that are unreasonable,

may apply to a Tribunal under this section. [23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) An organisation that claims that it is representative of persons requiring licences in cases to which a licence scheme does not apply (including cases where a licence scheme has not been formulated or is not in operation) and —

(a) that a licensor has refused or failed to grant the licences, or to procure the grant of the licences, and that in the circumstances it is unreasonable that the licences should not be granted; or

(b) that a licensor proposes that the licences should be granted subject to the payment of charges, or to conditions, that are unreasonable,

may apply to a Tribunal under this section. [23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Where an organisation (whether claiming to be representative of persons requiring licences or not) or a person (whether requiring a licence or not) applies to a Tribunal to be made a party to an application under subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4), and the Tribunal is

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

satisfied that the organisation or person has a substantial interest in the matter in dispute, the Tribunal may, if it thinks fit, make that organisation or person a party to the application.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) Where an application is made to a Tribunal under subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4), the Tribunal shall give to the applicant, to the licensor concerned and to every other party (if any) to the application an opportunity of presenting their cases and, if the Tribunal is satisfied that the claim of the applicant is well- founded, the Tribunal shall make an order specifying, in respect of the matters specified in the order —

(a) in the case of an application under subsection (1) — the charges, if any, and the conditions, that the Tribunal considers to be applicable in accordance with the licence scheme in relation to the applicant;

(b) in the case of an application under subsection (2) or (3)— the charges, if any, and the conditions, that the Tribunal considers reasonable in the circumstances in relation to the applicant; or

(c) in the case of an application under subsection (4) — the charges, if any, and the conditions, that the Tribunal considers reasonable in the circumstances in relation to persons, or to persons included in classes of persons, specified in the order, being persons who were represented by the applicant or were parties to the application.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(7) A reference in this section to a failure to grant a licence, or to procure the grant of a licence, shall be read as a reference to a failure to grant the licence, or to procure the grant of the licence, as the case may be, within a reasonable time after a request to do so.

Effect of licence schemes being continued in operation pending order of Tribunal

164.—(1) Where a licence scheme is in operation by virtue of this Part pending the making of an order on a reference under this Part and a person, in a case to which the scheme applies, does anything that,

Copyright203 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

apart from this subsection, would be an infringement of a copyright but would not be such an infringement if he were the holder of a licence granted in accordance with the scheme insofar as the scheme relates to cases to which the reference relates, that person shall, if he has complied with the relevant requirements, be in the like position, in any proceedings for infringement of that copyright, as if he had at the material time been the holder of such a licence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the relevant requirements are —

(a) that, at all material times, the person concerned has complied with the conditions that, in accordance with the licence scheme, would be applicable to a licence in respect of the case concerned; and

(b) where, in accordance with the scheme, any charges are payable in respect of such a licence— that, at the material time, he had paid those charges to the licensor operating the scheme, or, if at that time the amount payable could not be ascertained, he had given an undertaking in writing to the licensor to pay the charges when ascertained.

(3) A person who does anything in relation to which subsection (1) applies shall be liable to pay to the licensor operating the licence scheme concerned the amount of any charges that would be payable if he were the holder of a licence granted in accordance with the scheme insofar as the scheme relates to the doing of that thing and the licensor may recover that amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the licensor.

Effect of order of Tribunal in relation to licences

165.—(1) Where an order made on a reference under this Part with respect to a licence scheme is for the time being in force and a person, in a case to which the scheme as confirmed or varied by the order applies, does anything that, apart from this subsection, would be an infringement of copyright but would not be such an infringement if he were the holder of a licence granted in accordance with the scheme, as confirmed or varied by the order, insofar as the scheme relates to cases to which the order applies, that person shall, if he has complied

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

with the relevant requirements, be in the like position, in any proceedings for infringement of that copyright, as if he had at the material time been the holder of such a licence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the relevant requirements are —

(a) that, at all material times, the person concerned has complied with the conditions that, in accordance with the licence scheme as confirmed or varied by the order, would be applicable to a licence in respect of the case concerned; and

(b) where, in accordance with the scheme as so confirmed or varied, any charges are payable in respect of such a licence — that, at the material time, he had paid those charges to the licensor operating the scheme, or, if at that time the amount payable could not be ascertained, he had given an undertaking in writing to the licensor to pay the charges when ascertained.

(3) A person who does anything in relation to which subsection (1) applies shall be liable to pay to the licensor operating the licence scheme concerned the amount of any charges that would be payable if he were the holder of a licence granted in accordance with the scheme, as confirmed or varied by the order, insofar as the scheme relates to the doing of that thing and the licensor may recover that amount in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the licensor.

(4) Where a Tribunal has made an order on an application under section 163(1), (2) or (3) specifying charges, if any, and conditions, in relation to the applicant, in respect of the matters specified in the order, then if —

(a) the applicant has complied with the conditions specified in the order; and

(b) in a case where the order specifies any charges — he has paid those charges to the licensor or, if the amount payable could not be ascertained, has given to the licensor an

Copyright205 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

undertaking in writing to pay the charges when ascertained,

the applicant shall be in the like position, in any proceedings for infringement of copyright relating to any of those matters, as if he had at all material times been the holder of a licence granted by the owner of the copyright concerned on the conditions, and subject to payment of the charges (if any), specified in the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Where a Tribunal has made an order on an application under section 163(4) specifying charges (if any) and conditions, in relation to the persons, or to persons included in the classes of persons, specified in the order, in respect of matters specified in the order, then, if —

(a) any such person has complied with the conditions specified in the order; and

(b) in the case where the order specifies any charges — the person has paid those charges to the licensor or, if the amount payable could not be ascertained, has given to the licensor an undertaking in writing to pay the charges when ascertained,

that person shall be in the like position, in any proceedings for infringement of copyright relating to any of those matters, as if he had at all material times been the holder of a licence granted by the owner of the copyright concerned on the conditions, and subject to payment of the charges (if any), specified in the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) Where a person in relation to whom an order referred to in subsection (4) or (5) applies does, in relation to any of the matters specified in that order, anything that, apart from that subsection, would be an infringement of copyright but would not be such an infringement if he were the holder of a licence in respect of the doing of that thing granted by the owner of the copyright concerned on the conditions and subject to payment of the charges (if any) specified in the order, that person shall be liable to pay to the owner of the copyright the amount of any charges that would be payable if he were the holder of such a licence.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(7) The owner of the copyright may recover the amount referred to in subsection (6) in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person as a debt due to the owner of the copyright.

Attorney-General may make application for suspension order

166.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), upon application made to it by the Attorney-General, a Tribunal may, in its discretion, make an order suspending the application of section 52(1) and (2) in relation to the body administering an educational institution, being a body that has been convicted of 2 or more offences against the regulations in relation to the retention of records or declarations relating to copies of the whole or parts of works made in reliance on section 52.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) A Tribunal shall not make an order under subsection (1) if it is satisfied that the body in relation to which the order is sought has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that no further contravention of the regulations referred to in subsection (1) will occur in relation to the retention of records or declarations relating to copies made or to be made by or on behalf of the body.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), a conviction of the custodian in charge of the copying records of an educational institution for a contravention of the regulations referred to in subsection (1), not being a conviction for a contravention in relation to which the body administering the educational institution has also been convicted, shall be taken to be a conviction of the body administering the educational institution.

(4) The parties to an application under subsection (1) in relation to a body administering an educational institution are —

(a) the Attorney-General; and

(b) that body.

Application to revoke suspension orders

167.—(1) The body administering an educational institution may, at any time, make application to a Tribunal for the revocation of an

Copyright207 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

order under section 166 suspending the application of section 52(1) in relation to it.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Where a Tribunal is satisfied, upon application made under subsection (1), that the body making the application has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that no further contravention of the regulations referred to in section 166(1) will occur in relation to the retention of records or declarations relating to copies made or to be made in reliance on section 52, the Tribunal may revoke the order to which the application relates.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) The parties to an application under subsection (1) for the revocation of an order made in relation to the body administering an institution are —

(a) that body; and

(b) the Attorney-General.

Interim orders

168. Where an application or reference is made to a Tribunal under this Act, the Tribunal may make an interim order having effect until the final decision of the Tribunal on the application or reference is given.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Reference of questions of law to High Court

169.—(1) A Tribunal may, of its own motion or at the request of a party, refer a question of law arising in proceedings before it for determination by the High Court.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) A question shall not be referred to the High Court by virtue of subsection (1) in pursuance of a request made after the date on which a Tribunal gave its decision in the proceedings unless the request is made before the expiration of 14 days of the Tribunal giving its decision.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) If a Tribunal, after giving its decision in any proceedings, refuses a request to refer a question to the High Court, the party by whom the request was made may, within 14 days of the refusal, apply to the High Court for an order directing the Tribunal to refer the question to the High Court.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) Where a reference is made to the High Court under this section with respect to any proceedings before a Tribunal, and where an application is made under subsection (3) with respect to any such proceedings, every party to the proceedings before the Tribunal shall be entitled to appear and to be heard.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(5) Where, after a Tribunal has given its decision in any proceedings, the Tribunal refers to the High Court under this section a question of law that arose in the course of the proceedings, and the High Court decides that the question was erroneously determined by the Tribunal —

(a) the Tribunal shall reconsider the matter in dispute and, if it considers it necessary to do so for the purpose of giving effect to the decision of the High Court, shall give to the parties to the proceedings a further opportunity of presenting their cases; and

(b) if it appears to the Tribunal to be appropriate, and in conformity with the decision of the High Court, to do so, the Tribunal shall make such order revoking or modifying any order previously made by it in the proceedings, or, in the case of proceedings under section 163 where the Tribunal refused to make an order, shall make such order under that section, as the Tribunal considers to be appropriate.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) A reference of a question by a Tribunal to the High Court under this section shall be by way of stating a case for the opinion of the High Court; and the decision of the Court on any such reference shall be final.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Copyright209 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(7) For the purposes of this section, a question of law shall not include a question whether there is sufficient evidence to justify a finding of fact by a Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(8) This section shall not apply in relation to an inquiry by a Tribunal under section 157.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Agreements or awards not affected

170. Nothing in this Part shall affect the operation of any agreement or of any award made by an arbitrator, whether the agreement or award was made before, or is made after, 10th April 1987.

Division 4 — Procedure and Evidence

Proceedings to be in public except in special circumstances

171.—(1) Subject to this section, the hearing of proceedings before a Tribunal shall be in public.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Where a Tribunal is satisfied that it is desirable to do so by reason of the confidential nature of any evidence or matter or for any other reason, the Tribunal may —

(a) direct that a hearing or part of a hearing shall take place in private and give directions as to the persons who may be present; or

(b) give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of evidence given before the Tribunal (whether in public or in private) or of matters contained in documents produced to the Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Application may be made to Tribunal by agent of copyright owner

172.—(1) An owner of copyright may make an application to a Tribunal under this Act by his agent.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Two or more owners of copyright may jointly make a single application to a Tribunal by the same agent against the same person or body.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Procedure

173. In proceedings before a Tribunal —

(a) the procedure of the Tribunal shall, subject to this Act and the regulations, be within the discretion of the Tribunal;

(b) the Tribunal shall not be bound by the Evidence Act (Cap. 97); and

(c) the proceedings shall be conducted with as little formality, and with as much expedition, as the requirements of this Act and a proper consideration of the matters before the Tribunal permit.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Mistakes or errors in orders of Tribunal

174. A Tribunal may correct any clerical mistake or any error arising from an accidental slip or omission in any order made by it.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Regulations as to procedure

175.—(1) The regulations may make provision for or in relation to the procedure in connection with the making of references and applications to a Tribunal and the regulation of proceedings before a Tribunal and may prescribe the fees payable in respect of those references and applications and the fees and expenses of witnesses in those proceedings.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) The regulations may include provision —

(a) for requiring notice of an intended inquiry by a Tribunal under section 157 or an intended reference to a Tribunal under section 160, 161 or 162 to be advertised in accordance with the regulations;

Copyright211 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) for requiring notice of an intended application to the High Court under section 169(3) to be given to a Tribunal and to the other parties to the proceedings, and for limiting the time within which any such notice is to be given;

(c) for suspending, or authorising or requiring a Tribunal to suspend, the operation of orders of the Tribunal in cases where, after giving its decision, the Tribunal refers a question of law to the High Court;

(d) for modifying, in relation to orders of a Tribunal the operation of which is suspended, the operation of any provisions of this Part as to the effect of orders made under this Part;

(e) for the publication of notices, or the doing of any other things, to ensure that persons affected by the suspension of an order of a Tribunal will be informed of its suspension; and

(f) for regulating or prescribing any other matters incidental to or consequential upon any request, application, order or decision under section 169.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Power to take evidence on oath

176.—(1) ATribunal may take evidence on oath or affirmation, and for that purpose a member may administer an oath or affirmation.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) A member of a Tribunal may summon a person to appear before the Tribunal to give evidence and to produce such documents and articles (if any) as are referred to in the summons.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Evidence in form of written statement

177. ATribunal may, if it thinks fit, permit a person appearing as a witness before the Tribunal to give evidence by tendering, and verifying by oath or affirmation, a written statement, which shall be filed with the Secretary to the Tribunals.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Representation

178. In proceedings before a Tribunal —

(a) a party other than a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons may appear in person or be represented by an employee of the party approved by the Tribunal;

(b) a party being a body corporate may be represented by a director or other officer, or by an employee, of the party approved by the Tribunal;

(c) a party being an unincorporated body of persons or a member of such a body may be represented by a member, or by an officer or employee, of the body approved by the Tribunal; and

(d) any party may be represented by an advocate and solicitor. [23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Division 5 — Miscellaneous

Protection of members and witnesses

179.—(1) A member shall have, in the performance of his duty as a member, the same protection and immunity as a Judge of the High Court.

(2) A person summoned to appear before a Tribunal as a witness shall have the same protection, and shall, in addition to the penalties provided by this Act, be subject to the same liabilities, in any civil or criminal proceedings as a witness in proceedings in the General Division of the High Court.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[Act 40 of 2019 wef 02/01/2021]

Disobedience to summons, etc.

180.—(1) A person who has been summoned to appear as a witness before a Tribunal shall not, without lawful excuse, and after tender of reasonable expenses, fail to appear in obedience to the summons.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Copyright213 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) A person who has been summoned to produce a document or article to a Tribunal shall not, without lawful excuse, and after tender of reasonable expenses, fail to produce the document or article.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) A person who appears before a Tribunal shall not, without lawful excuse, refuse to be sworn or to make an affirmation, or to produce documents or articles, or to answer questions, that he is required by the Tribunal to produce or answer.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(4) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months.

Contempt of Tribunal, etc.

181.—(1) A person shall not —

(a) insult or disturb a member in the exercise of his powers or functions as a member;

(b) interrupt the proceedings of a Tribunal;

(d) create a disturbance or take part in creating or continuing a disturbance in or near a place where a Tribunal is sitting;

(e) contravene or fail to comply with a direction of a Tribunal given under section 171(2)(b); or

(f) do any other act or thing that would, if a Tribunal were a court of record, constitute a contempt of that court.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months.

Cost of proceedings

182.—(1) A Tribunal may order that the costs of any proceedings before it incurred by any party, or a part of those costs, shall be paid

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

by any other party and may tax or settle the amount of the costs to be so paid, or specify the manner in which they are to be taxed.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(2) Costs directed by a Tribunal to be paid to a party may be recovered by that party in any court of competent jurisdiction.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(3) This section shall apply in relation to an inquiry by a Tribunal under section 157.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

Proof of orders of Tribunal

183. Without prejudice to any other method available by law for the proof of orders of a Tribunal, a document purporting to be a copy of such an order, and to be certified by the Secretary to the Tribunals to be a true copy of the order, shall be admitted in any proceedings, as evidence of the order.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

PART VIII

EXTENSION OR RESTRICTION OF THIS ACT

Application of this Act to countries other than Singapore

184.—(1) The Minister may make regulations applying any of the provisions of this Act specified in the regulations, in relation to a country so specified, in any one or more of the following ways, so as to secure that those provisions:

(a) apply in relation to literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works or editions first published, or sound recordings or cinematograph films made or first published, in that country as they apply in relation to literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works or editions first published, or sound recordings or cinematograph films made or first published, in Singapore;

(b) apply in relation to persons who, at a material time, are citizens or nationals of that country as they apply in

Copyright215 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

relation to persons who, at such a time, are citizens of Singapore;

(c) apply in relation to persons who, at a material time, are resident in that country as they apply in relation to persons who, at such a time, are resident in Singapore;

(d) apply in relation to bodies incorporated under the laws of that country as they apply in relation to bodies incorporated under the laws of Singapore;

(e) apply in relation to television broadcasts and sound broadcasts made from places in that country, by one or more organisations constituted in, or under the laws of, that country, as they apply in relation to television broadcasts and sound broadcasts made from places in Singapore by a broadcasting licensee;

(f) apply in relation to cable programmes sent from places in that country as they apply in relation to cable programmes sent from places in Singapore.

[14/94; 15/94]

(2) Regulations made under subsection (1) —

(a) may apply the provisions of this Act without exception or modification or applying a provision of this Act in relation to a country other than Singapore in accordance with that subsection subject to exceptions or modifications specified in those regulations;

(b) may apply the provisions of this Act either generally or in relation to such classes of works or other subject-matter, or other classes of cases, as may be specified in those regulations.

(3) The Minister shall not make regulations under this section applying any of the provisions of this Act in the case of a country, other than a country which is a party to a Convention relating to copyright to which Singapore is also a party, unless the Minister is satisfied that, in respect of the class of works or other subject-matter to which those provisions relate, provision has been or will be made

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

under the laws of that country whereby adequate protection will be given to owners of copyright under this Act.

Provisions as to international organisations

185.—(1) Where it appears to the Minister that it is desirable that this Act should apply in relation to an organisation —

(a) of which 2 or more countries, or the governments of 2 or more countries, are members; or

(b) that is constituted by persons representing 2 or more countries, or representing the governments of 2 or more countries,

the Minister may by regulations declare that organisation to be an international organisation to which this Act applies.

(2) An international organisation to which this Act applies that otherwise does not have, or at some material time otherwise did not have, the legal capacities of a body corporate shall have, and shall be deemed at all material times to have had, the legal capacities of a body corporate for the purpose of holding, dealing with and enforcing copyright and for the purposes of all legal proceedings relating to copyright.

(3) Where an original work, or a sound recording or a cinematograph film is made by or under the direction or control of an international organisation to which this Act applies in such circumstances that copyright would not subsist in the work, sound recording or cinematograph film apart from this subsection —

(a) copyright shall subsist in the work, sound recording or cinematograph film;

(b) that copyright shall subsist so long as the work, sound recording or cinematograph film remains unpublished; and

(4) Where an original work, or a sound recording or a cinematograph film is first published by or under the direction or control of an international organisation to which this Act applies, in

Copyright217 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

such circumstances that, apart from this subsection, copyright would not subsist in the work, the sound recording or cinematograph film, as the case may be, immediately after the first publication thereof —

(a) copyright shall subsist in the work, sound recording or cinematograph film, or, if copyright in the work, sound recording or cinematograph film subsisted immediately before its first publication, copyright shall continue to subsist in the work, sound recording or cinematograph film;

(b) that copyright shall subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the work, sound recording or cinematograph film, as the case may be, was first published; and

[21/2004]

(5) Where an edition of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or of 2 or more literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, other than an edition that reproduces a previous edition of the same work or works, is published by, or under the direction or control of, an international organisation to which this Act applies in such circumstances that copyright would not, apart from this subsection, subsist in the edition immediately after the first publication of the edition —

(a) copyright shall subsist in the edition;

(b) that copyright shall subsist until the expiration of 25 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the edition was first published; and

(6) Parts III and IV, other than the provisions of those Parts relating to the subsistence, duration or ownership of copyright, shall apply in relation to copyright subsisting by virtue of this section in like manner as it applies in relation to copyright subsisting by virtue of those Parts.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Denial of copyright to citizens of countries not giving adequate protection to Singapore works

186.—(1) If it appears to the Minister that the law of a country does not give adequate protection to Singapore works, or does not give adequate protection in relation to a class or classes of such works (whether the lack of protection relates to the nature of the work or the nationality, citizenship or country of residence of its author, or all of those matters), the Minister may by regulations make provision in relation to that country in accordance with subsection (2).

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of this section may provide, either generally or in such classes of cases as are specified in the regulations, that copyright under this Act does not subsist in works first published after a date specified in those regulations (which may be a date before the commencement of those regulations or before 10th April 1987) if, at the time of the first publication of those works, the authors of the works were or are —

(a) citizens or nationals of a country specified in those regulations, not being at that time persons resident in Singapore; or

(b) in the case of works being sound recordings or cinematograph films — bodies incorporated under the law of a country specified in those regulations.

[S 107/87]

(3) In making regulations for the purposes of this section, the Minister shall have regard to the nature and extent of the lack of protection for Singapore works by reason of which the regulations are made.

(4) In this section —

“author”, in relation to a sound recording or a cinematograph film, means the maker of the recording or film;

“Singapore work” means a work the author of which was, at the time when the work was made, a qualified person for the purpose of the relevant provision of this Act;

Copyright219 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“the relevant provision of this Act” means —

(a) in relation to a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work — section 27; and

(b) in relation to a sound recording or a cinematograph film or a cable programme — Part IV;

“work” means a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, a sound recording, a cinematograph film, a television broadcast, a sound broadcast or a cable programme.

[6/98]

PART IX

FALSE ATTRIBUTION OF AUTHORSHIP

Interpretation of this Part

187. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —

“name” includes initials or a monogram;

“performance”, “protection period” and “recording” have the same meanings as in Part XII.

[52/2004]

Duty not to attribute falsely authorship of work or identity of performer of performance

188.—(1) A person (referred to in this subsection as the offender) shall, by virtue of this section, be under a duty to the author of a work or a performer of a performance not to —

(a) insert or affix another person’s name in or on the work or a recording of the performance, or in or on a reproduction of the work or recording, in such a way as to imply that the other person is the author of the work or the performer of the performance;

(b) publish, sell or let for hire, by way of trade offer or expose for sale or hire, or by way of trade exhibit in public, the work or recording of the performance with another person’s name so inserted or affixed, if the offender

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

knows that the other person is not the author of the work or the performer of the performance;

(c) do any of the acts mentioned in paragraph (b) in relation to, or distribute, reproductions of the work or recording of the performance, being reproductions in or on which another person’s name has been so inserted or affixed, if the offender knows that the other person is not the author of the work or the performer of the performance; or

(d) perform in public or communicate the work as being a work of which another person is the author, or make available to the public the recording of a performance as being a recording of a performance of which another person is the performer, if the offender knows that the other person is not the author of the work or the performer of the performance.

[52/2004]

(2) Subsection (1) shall apply where, contrary to the fact, a work is represented as being an adaptation of the work of another person in like manner as it applies where a work is represented as being the work of another person.

[52/2004]

(3) After the death of the author of a work or the performer of the performance, a person shall, by virtue of this section, be under a duty to the legal personal representative of the author or performer not to do in relation to, or to a reproduction of, the work or an adaptation of the work or a recording of the performance any act that, but for the death of the author or performer, the person would, by reason of either subsection (1) or (2), have been under a duty to the author or performer not to do.

[52/2004]

(4) In this section —

“performance” means a performance in respect of which the protection period under Part XII has not expired;

“work” means a work in which copyright subsists under this Act.

[52/2004]

Copyright221 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Duty not to falsely represent altered work or recording of performance as unaltered

189. Where a work in which copyright subsists or a recording of a performance in respect of which the protection period has not expired has been altered by a person other than the author of the work or the performer of the performance, a person shall be under a duty to the author or performer not to —

(a) publish, sell or let for hire, or by way of trade offer or expose for sale or hire, the work or recording as so altered as being the unaltered work of the author or as an unaltered recording of the performance; or

(b) publish, sell or let for hire, or by way of trade offer or expose for sale or hire, a reproduction of the work or a recording of the performance as so altered as being a reproduction of the unaltered work of the author or an unaltered recording of the performance by the performer,

if, to his knowledge, it is not —

(i) the unaltered work or a reproduction of the unaltered work, as the case may be, of the author; or

(ii) the unaltered recording or a reproduction of the unaltered recording, as the case may be, of the performance by the performer.

[52/2004]

Duty not to attribute falsely the authorship of reproduction of artistic work

190. A person shall, by virtue of this section, be under a duty to the author of an artistic work in which copyright subsists not to —

(a) publish, sell or let for hire, by way of trade offer or expose for sale or hire, or by way of trade exhibit in public, a reproduction of the work, as being a reproduction made by the author of the work; or

(b) distribute reproductions of the work as being reproductions made by the author of the work,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

where the reproduction was, or the reproductions were, to his knowledge, not made by the author.

Breach of duty not committed if act done outside Singapore or done with permission

191. The doing of an act by a person shall not be a breach of a duty owed by that person to another person by virtue of this Part if the act was done outside Singapore or was done with the permission, whether express or implied, of that other person.

Action for breach of duty

192.—(1) Where a person commits a breach of a duty owed by him to another person by virtue of this Part, the breach shall not be enforceable by criminal proceedings but the other person may bring an action in respect of the breach.

(2) The relief that a court may grant in an action under subsection (1) shall include an injunction (subject to such terms, if any, as the court thinks fit) and damages.

(3) Where, in respect of an act done in relation to, or to a reproduction of, a work or an adaptation of a work or a recording of a performance after the death of the author of the work or the performer of the performance, damages are recovered under this section by the legal personal representative of the author or performer, those damages devolve as if they formed part of the estate of the author or performer and as if the right of action in respect of the doing of that act had subsisted, and had been vested in the author or performer, immediately before his death.

[52/2004]

Saving of other rights and remedies

193.—(1) Subject to this section, this Part shall not affect any right of action or other remedy, whether civil or criminal, in proceedings instituted otherwise than by virtue of this Part.

(2) Any damages recovered in proceedings instituted by virtue of this Part shall be taken into account in assessing damages in proceedings instituted otherwise than by virtue of this Part and arising out of the same operation or transaction.

Copyright223 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) Any damages recovered in proceedings instituted otherwise than by virtue of this Part shall be taken into account in assessing damages in proceedings instituted by virtue of this Part and arising out of the same operation or transaction.

PART IXA

WORKS, OR OTHER SUBJECT-MATTER, IN ELECTRONIC FORM

Interpretation and effect of application of this Part

193A.—(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —

“electronic copy”, in relation to any material, means a copy of the material in an electronic form, and includes the original version of the material in that form;

“flagrantly infringing online location” means an online location which is determined by the High Court under section 193DDA to have been or is being used to flagrantly commit or facilitate infringement of copyright in materials;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

“material” means any work or other subject-matter in which copyright subsists by virtue of this Act;

“monetary relief” means damages, an account of profits or statutory damages;

“network service provider” —

(a) for the purposes of sections 193B, 193DDA and 193DDB, means a person who provides services relating to, or provides connections for, the transmission or routing of data; and

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(b) for the purposes of this Part (other than sections 193B, 193DDA and 193DDB), means a person who provides, or operates facilities for, online services or network access and includes a person referred to in paragraph (a),

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

but does not include such person or class of persons as the Minister may prescribe;

“primary network”, in relation to a network service provider, refers to a network controlled or operated by or for the network service provider;

“routing” means directing or choosing the means or routes for the transmission of data;

“standard technical measure” means any technical measure accepted in Singapore that —

(a) is used to identify or protect material;

(b) has been developed through an open, voluntary process by a broad consensus of copyright owners and network service providers;

(d) does not impose substantial costs on network service providers or substantial burdens on their primary networks.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(2) This Part does not limit the operation of the other provisions of this Act in relation to determining whether copyright has been infringed.

[52/2004]

(3) Nothing in this Part shall be construed as making the applicability of sections 193B, 193C, 193D and 193DB conditional on —

(a) a network service provider monitoring its service or affirmatively seeking facts indicating infringing activity, except to the extent consistent with any standard technical measure; or

(b) a network service provider gaining access to, removing or disabling access to any electronic copy of any material in any case in which such conduct is prohibited by law.

[22/2005]

Copyright225 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Transmission, routing and provision of connections

193B.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 193DB, make any order against a network service provider for any infringement of copyright in any material that occurs by reason of —

(a) the transmission or routing by the network service provider of, or the provision of connections by the network service provider for, an electronic copy of the material through the network service provider’s primary network; or

(b) any transient storage by the network service provider of an electronic copy of the material in the course of such transmission, routing or provision of connections,

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions set out in subsection (2).

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1) are that —

(a) the transmission of the electronic copy of the material was initiated by or at the direction of a person other than the network service provider;

(b) the transmission, routing, provision of connections or storage is carried out through an automatic technical process without any selection of the electronic copy of the material by the network service provider;

(c) the network service provider does not select the recipients of the electronic copy of the material except as an automatic response to the request of another person; and

(d) the network service provider does not make any substantive modification (other than any modification made as part of a technical process) to the content of the electronic copy of the material during the transmission of the electronic copy of the material through the primary network.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

System caching

193C.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 193DB, make any order against a network service provider for any infringement of copyright in any material that occurs by reason of the making by the network service provider of an electronic copy of the material (referred to in this section as the cached copy) on the network service provider’s primary network —

(a) from another electronic copy of the material made available on a network (referred to in this section as the originating network);

(b) through an automatic process;

(d) in order to facilitate efficient access to the material by that user or other users,

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions set out in subsection (2).

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not make any substantive modification (other than any modification made as part of a technical process) to the content of the cached copy of the material during the transmission of the cached copy of the material to users of the primary network or another network;

(b) if the network service provider is furnished in the prescribed manner with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form relating to the cached copy of the material —

(i) purportedly made by the owner of the copyright in the material or under the owner’s authority; and

(ii) stating the prescribed matters,

Copyright227 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to remove or disable access to the cached copy of the material on the primary network; and

(i) access to the cached copy of the material by users of the primary network or another network;

(ii) the refreshing, reloading or updating of the cached copy of the material; and

(iii) non-interference with technology used at the originating network to obtain information about the use of any material on the originating network, being technology that is consistent with industry standards in Singapore.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

Storage and information location

193D.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 193DB, make any order against a network service provider for any infringement of copyright in any material that occurs by reason of —

(a) the storage, at the direction of a user of the network service provider’s primary network, of an electronic copy of the material on the primary network, if the network service provider satisfies the conditions referred to in subsection (2); or

(b) the network service provider referring or linking a user of any network to an online location on a network (referred to in this section as the originating network), being a location at which an electronic copy of the material is made available, by the use of —

(i) an information location tool such as a hyperlink or directory; or

(ii) an information location service such as a search engine,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions referred to in subsection (4).

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not receive any financial benefit directly attributable to the infringement of the copyright in the material that occurs in, or in the course of, making available the electronic copy of the material on the primary network, provided that the network service provider has the right and ability to control the infringing activity;

(b) if the network service provider —

(i) acquires actual knowledge that the copyright in the material has been infringed in, or in the course of, making available the electronic copy of the material on the primary network;

(ii) acquires knowledge of such facts or circumstances which would lead inevitably to the conclusion that the copyright in the material has been infringed in, or in the course of, making available the electronic copy of the material on the primary network; or

(iii) is furnished in the prescribed manner with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form relating to the electronic copy of the material on the primary network —

(A) purportedly made by the owner of the copyright in the material or under the owner’s authority; and

(B) stating the prescribed matters,

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to remove or disable access to the copy of the material on the primary network; and

Copyright229 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

paragraph (b)(iii) and published the prescribed information on the designated representative in the prescribed manner.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a notice purportedly made by the owner of the copyright in the material or under the owner’s authority which is not a notice referred to in subsection (2)(b)(iii), or a notice under section 193DDB(1)(b), shall not be considered in determining whether the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in subsection (2)(b)(i) or (ii).

[22/2005]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(4) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(b) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not receive any financial benefit directly attributable to the infringement of the copyright in the material that occurs in, or in the course of, making available the electronic copy of the material on the originating network, provided that the network service provider has the right and ability to control the infringing activity;

(b) if the network service provider —

(i) acquires actual knowledge that the copyright in the material has been infringed in, or in the course of, making available the electronic copy of the material on the originating network;

(iii) is furnished in the prescribed manner with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form relating to the electronic copy of the material on the originating network —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(A) purportedly made by the owner of the copyright in the material or under the owner’s authority; and

(B) stating the prescribed matters,

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to disable access to the electronic copy of the material on the originating network, and to remove or disable access to any electronic copy of the material (being a copy made from the electronic copy of the material on the originating network and of which the network service provider has actual knowledge) on the primary network; and

(c) the network service provider has designated a representative to receive any notice referred to in paragraph (b)(iii) and published the prescribed information on the designated representative in the prescribed manner.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), a notice purportedly made by the owner of the copyright in the material or under the owner’s authority which is not a notice referred to in subsection (4)(b)(iii), or a notice under section 193DDB(1)(b), shall not be considered in determining whether the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in subsection (4)(b)(i) or (ii).

[22/2005]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(6) For the purposes of subsections (2)(a) and (4)(a), in determining whether a financial benefit is directly attributable to the infringement of copyright in the material, the court shall have regard to —

(a) industry practice in relation to the charging of services by network service providers;

(b) whether the financial benefit was greater than the benefit that would usually result from charging in accordance with accepted industry practices; and

Copyright231 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Exemption of network service provider from liability for removal of copy, etc., from network

193DA.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law (written or otherwise), a network service provider shall not be subject to any liability under any rule of law in respect of any action taken in good faith in relation to —

(a) the removal of an electronic copy of any material from his primary network; or

(b) the disabling of access to an electronic copy of any material on his primary network or another network,

if —

(i) such removal or disabling was done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 193C(2)(b) or 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or any knowledge referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii); and

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or any knowledge referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii), the conditions referred to in subsection (2) are satisfied.

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(ii) are that —

(a) after such removal or disabling, the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps —

(i) to notify the person who made available the electronic copy of the material on the network of this; and

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii), to provide that person with a copy of that notice; and

(b) where the network service provider is furnished in the prescribed manner, within the prescribed time, with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

prescribed form purportedly made by the person who made available the electronic copy of the material on the network, or under that person’s authority, stating the prescribed matters (referred to in this section as the counter notice) —

(i) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) —

(A) subject to any other written law relating to privacy or data protection, the network service provider expeditiously provides the person who furnished the notice referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) with a copy of the counter notice;

(B) the network service provider expeditiously notifies the person who furnished the notice referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) that the network service provider will take reasonable steps to restore the electronic copy of the material to the network or to restore access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, unless, within 10 working days after the date of such notification —

(BA) court proceedings are commenced by the owner of the copyright in the material, or under the owner’s authority, to prevent that electronic copy or the access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, from being restored; and

(BB) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings; and

Copyright233 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(C) the network service provider takes reasonable steps to restore the electronic copy of the material to the network or to restore access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, not less than 10, nor more than 14, working days after the date of the notification referred to in sub-paragraph (B), unless, within 10 working days after that date —

(CA) court proceedings are commenced by the owner of the copyright in the material, or under the owner’s authority, to prevent that electronic copy or the access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, from being restored; and

(CB) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings; or

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any knowledge referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii), the network service provider takes reasonable steps to restore the electronic copy of the material to the network or to restore access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, not less than 10, nor more than 14, working days after the date the network service provider is furnished with the counter notice, unless, within 10 working days after that date —

(A) court proceedings are commenced by the owner of the copyright in the material, or under the owner’s authority, to prevent that electronic copy or the access to that electronic copy, as the case may be, from being restored; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(B) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings.

[22/2005]

(3) Subsection (1) shall apply whether or not it is ultimately determined that any relevant act that was carried out constitutes an infringement of copyright in the material under this Act.

[52/2004]

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law (written or otherwise), a network service provider shall not be subject to any liability under any rule of law in respect of any action taken in good faith in relation to —

(a) the restoration of an electronic copy of any material to his primary network; or

(b) the restoration of access to an electronic copy of any material on any network,

if such restoration was done in reliance on any counter notice referred to in subsection (2)(b).

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(5) A network service provider shall not be treated as having authorised the doing of any act which is an infringement of copyright under this Act solely by reason of the occurrence of only one of the following matters:

(a) the network service provider has provided a facility which was used by another person to do that act;

(b) the network service provider has received any notice referred to in section 193C(2)(b), 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or 193DDB(1)(b) in respect of that act;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(c) the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in section 193D(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii) in respect of that act.

[22/2005]

Relief which court may grant

193DB.—(1) The types of relief that the court may grant against a network service provider, if the court is satisfied that section 193B(1)

Copyright235 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

applies to the network service provider, shall be limited to either or both of the following:

(a) an order requiring the network service provider to take reasonable steps to disable access to an online location that is physically situated outside Singapore;

(b) an order requiring the network service provider to terminate a specified account.

[52/2004]

(2) The types of relief that the court may grant against a network service provider, if the court is satisfied that section 193C(1) or 193D(1) applies to the network service provider, shall be limited to one or more of the following:

(a) an order requiring the network service provider —

(i) to remove an infringing electronic copy of the material from the network service provider’s primary network; or

(ii) to disable access to an infringing electronic copy of the material on the primary network or another network;

(b) an order requiring the network service provider to terminate a specified account;

(c) such other order or orders as may be necessary, if that order is, or those orders are, the least burdensome to the network service provider among comparatively effective non- monetary orders.

[52/2004]

(3) When making an order under subsection (1) or (2) or section 193DDA(1), the court shall have regard to —

(a) the harm that has been or may foreseeably be caused to the plaintiff;

(b) the burden that the making of the order will place on the network service provider;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) the effectiveness of the order;

(e) any possible adverse effect on the business or operations of the network service provider;

(f) whether some other comparatively effective order would be less burdensome; and

(g) all other matters which it considers relevant. [52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Evidence of compliance with conditions

193DC. If, in an action relating to this Part, a network service provider adduces evidence, as prescribed, that suggests that he has complied with a condition —

(a) referred to in section 193B(2), 193C(2) or 193D(2) or (4); or

(b) prescribed in any regulations made under section 193DE,

the court shall presume, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the network service provider has complied with that condition.

[52/2004]

Maker of false notice guilty of offence and liable in damages

193DD.—(1) A person who, in making a notice under section 193C(2)(b), 193D(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or 193DA(2)(b), makes any statement which is false, which he knows is false or does not believe to be true, and which touches any point material to the object of the notice —

(a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years; and

(b) shall also be liable in damages to any person who suffers any loss or damage as a result of the making of that notice for any such loss or damage that is reasonably foreseeable as likely to result from the making of that notice.

[52/2004]

Copyright237 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Subsection (1) shall apply whether or not the statement is made in Singapore, and if a person makes the statement outside Singapore, he may be dealt with under subsection (1)(a) as if the offence were committed in Singapore.

[52/2004]

Order to disable access to flagrantly infringing online location

193DDA.—(1) Where the High Court is satisfied, on an application made by the owner or exclusive licensee of copyright in a material against a network service provider, that —

(a) the services of the network service provider have been or are being used to access an online location, which is the subject of the application, to commit or facilitate infringement of copyright in that material; and

(b) the online location is a flagrantly infringing online location,

the High Court may, after having regard to the factors referred to in section 193DB(3), make an order requiring the network service provider to take reasonable steps to disable access to the flagrantly infringing online location.

(2) For the purpose of determining under subsection (1)(b) whether an online location has been or is being used to flagrantly commit or facilitate infringement of copyright in materials, the High Court shall have regard to, and give such weight as the High Court considers appropriate to, all of the following matters:

(a) whether the primary purpose of the online location is to commit or facilitate copyright infringement;

(b) whether the online location makes available or contains directories, indexes or categories of the means to commit or facilitate copyright infringement;

(d) whether access to the online location has been disabled by orders from any court of another country or territory on the ground of or related to copyright infringement;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) whether the online location contains guides or instructions to circumvent measures, or any order of any court, that disables access to the online location on the ground of or related to copyright infringement;

(f) the volume of traffic at or frequency of access to the online location.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, the High Court shall not be confined to consideration of matters specified in subsection (2) and may take into account such other matters and evidence as may be relevant.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Application for order under section 193DDA

193DDB.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the owner or exclusive licensee of copyright in a material must, before applying for an order under section 193DDA(1) —

(a) send a notice to the owner of the online location that is intended to be the subject of the order (referred to in this section as the relevant online location owner) stating that the online location has been or is being used to commit or facilitate infringement of copyright in the material, and the intention of the owner or the exclusive licensee, as the case may be, to apply for that order if the relevant online location owner does not, within the prescribed period, cease the use of the online location to commit or facilitate infringement of copyright in the material; and

(b) send, upon or after the end of the prescribed period referred to in paragraph (a) or after reasonable efforts are made to send the notice referred to in paragraph (a) to the relevant online location owner, a notice to the network service provider that is to be the defendant in an action under that section stating the intention of the owner or exclusive licensee, as the case may be, to apply for that order.

(2) Every application for an order under section 193DDA(1) must be served on the network service provider who is the defendant in the action under that section, and notice of the making of the application must be given to the relevant online location owner.

Copyright239 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(3) At the hearing of an application for an order under section 193DDA(1), the High Court may dispense with the notice required to be sent under subsection (1)(a) and the notice under subsection (2) if the High Court is satisfied that the plaintiff, despite reasonable efforts to do so, is unable to determine the identity or address of the relevant online location owner or to send the notices to the relevant online location owner.

(4) The relevant online location owner shall —

(a) have the right to be heard on an application for an order under section 193DDA(1); and

(b) have the same right of appeal as a party to the application.

(5) All provisions in Division 4 of Part V shall apply, with the necessary modifications, to any application for an order under section 193DDA(1).

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Variation or revocation of order

193DDC.—(1) The High Court may, on the application of a party to an order made under section 193DDA(1), vary the order as it thinks just if the High Court is satisfied that there has been a material change in the circumstances or that it is otherwise appropriate in the circumstances to do so.

(2) The High Court may, on the application of a party to an order made under section 193DDA(1), revoke the order if the High Court is satisfied —

(a) upon further evidence, that the order ought not to have been made;

(b) that the online location has ceased to be a flagrantly infringing online location; or

(3) In this section, a reference to a party to an order made under section 193DDA(1) includes a reference to the owner of the online location that is the subject of the order.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Regulations

193DE.—(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing any thing required or authorised to be prescribed under this Part.

[52/2004]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may —

(a) prescribe the procedure or requirements for the notices to be furnished under this Part, including the forms of and information to be contained in such notices, the manner of sending such notices, and the manner of verification of statements in such notices;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(b) prescribe other conditions which a network service provider must comply with in order to benefit from the provisions in this Part; and

[52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(c) prescribe the reasonable efforts required to be made by an owner or exclusive licensee of copyright in any material, for the purposes of section 193DDB(3).

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

User caching

193E. Copyright in any material is not infringed by the making of a transient and incidental electronic copy of the material from an electronic copy of the material made available on a network, if the making of the first-mentioned copy is required for the viewing, listening or utilisation of the material by a user of this or another network.

[38/99; 22/2005]

Transfer of electronic copy of material

193F.—(1) This section shall apply where an electronic copy of any material has been purchased on or after 15th December 1999 on terms which, expressly or impliedly or by virtue of any rule of law,

Copyright241 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

allow the purchaser to copy the material, or to adapt it or make copies of an adaptation, in connection with his use of it.

[38/99]

(2) If there are no express terms —

(a) prohibiting the transfer of the copy by the purchaser, imposing obligations which continue after a transfer, prohibiting the assignment of any licence or terminating any licence on a transfer; or

(b) providing for the terms on which a transferee may do the things which the purchaser was permitted to do,

anything which the purchaser was allowed to do may also be done without infringement of copyright by a transferee.

[38/99]

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), any copy (including the original purchased copy), adaptation or copy of an adaptation which is not also transferred is to be treated as an infringing copy of the material for all purposes after the transfer.

[38/99]

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) shall also apply where the original purchased copy is no longer usable and what is transferred is a further copy used in its place.

[38/99]

(5) Subsections (2), (3) and (4) shall also apply on a subsequent transfer, with the substitution for references in subsection (2) to the purchaser of references to the subsequent transferor.

[38/99]

PART X

MISCELLANEOUS

Assignments and licences in respect of copyright

194.—(1) Subject to this section, copyright shall be transmissible by assignment, by testamentary disposition, or by operation of law as personal or movable property.

(2) An assignment of copyright may be limited in any of the following ways, or in any combination of 2 or more of those ways:

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) so as to apply to one or more, but not all, of the classes of acts which by virtue of this Act the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to do (including any one or more classes of acts not separately designated in this Act as being restricted by the copyright, but falling within any of the classes of acts so designated);

(b) so as to apply to any one or more, but not all, of the countries in relation to which the owner of the copyright has by virtue of this Act that exclusive right;

and references in this Act to a partial assignment are references to an assignment so limited.

(3) No assignment of copyright (whether total or partial) shall have effect unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor.

(4) Subject to subsection (4A), a licence granted in respect of any copyright by the person who, in relation to the matters to which the licence relates, is the owner of the copyright shall be binding upon every successor in title to his interest in the copyright, except a purchaser in good faith for valuable consideration and without notice (actual or constructive) of the licence or a person deriving title from such a purchaser.

[21/2004]

(4A) A licence granted to the Government or any statutory board on or after 1st July 2004* in respect of any copyright by the person who, in relation to the matters to which the licence relates, is the owner of the copyright shall be binding upon every successor in title to his interest in the copyright.

[21/2004]

(5) References in this Act, in relation to any copyright, to the doing of anything with, or (as the case may be) without, the licence of the owner of the copyright shall be construed accordingly.

*Date of commencement of the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2004 (Act 21 of 2004).

Copyright243 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(6) In this section, “statutory board” means any body corporate established by or under any written law to perform or discharge a public function.

[21/2004]

Prospective ownership of copyright

195.—(1) Where by an agreement made in relation to any future copyright, and signed by or on behalf of the prospective owner of the copyright, the prospective owner purports to assign the future copyright (wholly or partially) to another person (referred to in this subsection as the assignee), then if, on the coming into existence of the copyright, the assignee or a person claiming under him would, apart from this subsection, be entitled as against all other persons to require the copyright to be vested in him (wholly or partially, as the case may be), the copyright shall, on its coming into existence, vest in the assignee or his successor in title accordingly by virtue of this subsection and without further assurance.

(2) Where, at the time when any copyright comes into existence, the person who, if he were then living, would be entitled to the copyright is dead, the copyright shall devolve as if it had subsisted immediately before his death and he had then been the owner of the copyright.

(3) Section 194(4) and (4A) shall apply in relation to a licence granted by a prospective owner of any copyright as it applies in relation to a licence granted by the owner of a subsisting copyright, as if any reference in that subsection to the owner’s interest in the copyright included a reference to his prospective interest therein.

[21/2004]

196. Where under a bequest (whether specific or general) a person is entitled, beneficially or otherwise, to the manuscript of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or to an artistic work, and the work was not published before the death of the testator, the bequest shall, unless a contrary intention is indicated in the testator’s will or a codicil thereto, be construed as including the copyright in the work insofar as the testator was the owner of the copyright immediately before his death.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Provisions as to Government copyright

197.—(1) In the case of every original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work made by or under the direction or control of the Government —

(a) if apart from this section copyright would not subsist in the work, copyright shall subsist therein by virtue of this subsection; and

(b) in any case, the Government shall, subject to this Part, be entitled to the copyright in the work.

(2) The Government shall, subject to this Part, be entitled to the copyright in every original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work first published in Singapore, or in another country to which section 27 extends, if first published by or under the direction or control of the Government.

(3) Copyright in a literary, dramatic or musical work, to which the Government is entitled in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) —

(a) where the work is unpublished, shall continue to subsist so long as the work remains unpublished; and

(b) where the work is published, shall subsist (or, if copyright in the work subsisted immediately before its first publication, shall continue to subsist) until the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first published, and shall then expire.

[21/2004]

(4) Copyright in an artistic work to which the Government is entitled in accordance with this section shall continue to subsist until the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was made, and shall then expire.

[21/2004]

(4A) Where the work referred to in subsection (4) is an engraving or a photograph, the copyright shall continue to subsist until the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the engraving or photograph is first published.

[21/2004]

Copyright245 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(5) In the case of every sound recording or cinematograph film made by or under the direction or control of the Government —

(a) if apart from this section copyright would not subsist in the recording or film, copyright shall subsist therein by virtue of this subsection; and

(b) in any case, the Government shall, subject to this Part, be entitled to the copyright in the recording or film; and it shall subsist for the same period as if it were copyright subsisting by virtue of, and owned in accordance with, Part IV.

(6) This section shall have effect subject to any agreement made by or on behalf of the Government with the author of the work, or the maker of the sound recording or cinematograph film, as the case may be, whereby it is agreed that the copyright in the work, recording or film shall vest in the author or maker, or in another person designated in the agreement in that behalf.

(7) In relation to copyright subsisting by virtue of this section —

(a) in the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, the provisions of Part III, with the exception of provisions thereof relating to the subsistence, duration or ownership of copyright; and

(b) in the case of a sound recording, cinematograph film or cable programme, the provisions of Part IV, with the exception of provisions thereof relating to the subsistence or ownership of copyright,

shall apply as those provisions apply in relation to copyright subsisting by virtue of Part III or IV, as the case may be.

(8) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that section 12 of the Government Proceedings Act (Cap. 121) (which relates to infringements of industrial property by employees or agents of the Government) shall apply to copyright under this Act.

Use of copyright material for service of Government

198.—(1) The copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or a published edition of such a work, or in a sound recording,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

cinematograph film, television broadcast, sound broadcast or cable programme, shall not be infringed by the Government or by a person authorised in writing by the Government doing any acts comprised in the copyright if the acts are done for the service of the Government.

(2) Where the Government has made an agreement or arrangement with the government of some other country for the supply to that country of goods required for the defence of that country —

(a) the doing of any act in connection with the supply of those goods in pursuance of the agreement or arrangement; and

(b) the sale to any person of such of those goods as are not required for the purposes of the agreement or arrangement,

shall, for the purposes of subsection (1), be each deemed to be for the service of the Government.

(3) Authority may be given under subsection (1) before or after the acts in respect of which the authority is given have been done, and may be given to a person notwithstanding that he had a licence granted by, or binding on, the owner of the copyright to do the acts.

(4) Where an act comprised in a copyright has been done under subsection (1), the Government shall as soon as possible, unless it appears to the Government that it would be contrary to the public interest to do so, inform the owner of the copyright, as prescribed, of the doing of the act and shall furnish him with such information as to the doing of the act as he from time to time reasonably requires.

(5) Where an act comprised in a copyright has been done under subsection (1), the terms for the doing of the act are such terms as are, whether before or after the act is done, agreed between the Government and the owner of the copyright or, in default of agreement, as are fixed by a Copyright Tribunal.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

(6) An agreement or licence (whether made or granted before or after 10th April 1987) fixing the terms upon which a person other than the Government may do acts comprised in a copyright is inoperative with respect to the doing of those acts after that date,

Copyright247 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

under subsection (1), unless the agreement or licence has been approved by the Minister.

[S 107/87]

(7) Where an article is sold and the sale is not by virtue of subsection (1), an infringement of a copyright, the purchaser of the article, and a person claiming through him, is entitled to deal with the article as if the Government were the owner of that copyright.

(8) An act done under subsection (1) does not constitute publication of a work or other subject-matter and shall not be taken into account in the application of any provision of this Act relating to the duration of any copyright.

(9) Where an exclusive licence is in force in relation to any copyright, subsections (1) to (8) shall have effect as if any reference in those subsections to the owner of the copyright were a reference to the exclusive licensee.

(10) The copying of the whole or a part of a work for the teaching purposes of an educational institution of, or under the control of, the Government shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed not to be an act done for the service of the Government.

[S 130/88]

Reception of broadcasts or cable programmes

199.—(1) A person who, by the reception of a television broadcast, sound broadcast or cable programme, causes a literary, dramatic or musical work, or an adaptation of such work, to be seen, heard or seen and heard, in public does not, by doing so, infringe the copyright, if any, in the work.

(2) A person who, by the reception of an authorised television broadcast or authorised cable programme, causes a cinematograph film to be seen, heard or seen and heard, in public shall be treated, in any proceedings for infringement of the copyright (if any) in the film under Part IV, as if he had been the holder of a licence granted by the owner of that copyright to cause the film to be seen or heard in public by the reception of the broadcast or the cable programme.

(3) A person who, by the reception and immediate retransmission of an authorised television broadcast or sound broadcast causes a

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

literary, dramatic or musical work or an adaptation of such a work, an artistic work or a cinematograph film to be included in a programme in a cable programme service shall be treated, in any proceedings for infringement of the copyright, if any, in the work or film, as if he had been the holder of a licence granted by the owner of that copyright to include the work, adaptation or film to be transmitted by him in any programme included in a cable programme service.

[52/2004]

(4) If, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) or (3), the person causing the cinematograph film to be seen or heard, or the work, adaptation or cinematograph film to be transmitted, as the case may be, infringed the copyright in question, by reason that the broadcast or cable programme was not an authorised broadcast or programme, proceedings shall not be brought against that person under this Act in respect of his infringement of that copyright, but it shall be taken into account in assessing damages in any proceedings against the maker of the broadcast or programme in respect of that copyright, insofar as that copyright was infringed by them in making the broadcast or programme.

(5) For the purposes of this section, a broadcast or cable programme shall be taken, in relation to a work, an adaptation of a work or a cinematograph film, to be an authorised broadcast or programme if, but only if, it is made by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright in the work or film.

(6) A reference in subsection (3) to a broadcast shall —

(a) in the case of a television broadcast, be read as a reference to a television broadcast made from a place in Singapore by the holder of a broadcasting licence; and

(b) in the case of a sound broadcast, be read as a reference to a sound broadcast made from a place in Singapore by the holder of a broadcasting licence.

[38/99]

(7) For the avoidance of doubt, a reference in subsection (3) to an inclusion of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or a cinematograph film in a programme in a cable programme service

Copyright249 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

shall not include the making available of the work or film on the Internet.

[52/2004]

Groundless threats of legal proceedings

200.—(1) Where a person, by means of circulars, advertisements or otherwise, threatens a person with an action or proceeding in respect of an infringement of copyright, then, whether the person making the threats is or is not the owner of the copyright or an exclusive licensee, a person aggrieved may bring an action against the first-mentioned person and may —

(a) obtain a declaration to the effect that the threats are unjustifiable;

(b) obtain an injunction against the continuance of the threats; and

unless the first-mentioned person satisfies the court that the acts in respect of which the action or proceeding was threatened constituted, or, if done, would constitute, an infringement of copyright.

(2) The mere notification of the existence of a copyright does not constitute a threat of an action or proceeding within the meaning of this section.

(3) Nothing in this section shall render an advocate and solicitor liable to an action under this section in respect of an act done by him in his professional capacity on behalf of a client.

(4) The defendant in an action under this section may apply, by way of counterclaim, for relief to which he would be entitled in a separate action in respect of an infringement by the plaintiff of the copyright to which the threats relate and, in any such case, the provisions of this Act with respect to an action for infringement of a copyright are, with the necessary modifications, applicable in relation to the action.

Notation of copies, etc.

201.—(1) In proceedings against a person or body for infringement of copyright in a work or other subject-matter in connection with the making, by or on behalf of an institution, of a copy of the whole or a

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

part of that work or other subject-matter, the person or body is not entitled to rely on section 45, 46, 48, 52, 54(1) or (5)(a) (including those provisions as applied by section 115C) or 54A as justification for the making of that copy unless, at or about the time the copy was made, there was made on the copy a notation stating that the copy was made on behalf of that institution and the date on which it was made.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(2) In proceedings against a person or body for infringement of copyright in a sound recording or a cinematograph film in connection with the making, by or on behalf of an institution, of a copy of the sound recording or cinematograph film, the person or body is not entitled to rely on section 113 as justification for the making of the copy unless, at or about the time the copy was made, there was made on, or attached to, the copy a notation stating that the copy was made on behalf of that institution and setting out the date on which the copy was made.

(3) In proceedings against a person or body for infringement of copyright in a work or other subject-matter in connection with the making, by or on behalf of an institution, of a record embodying a sound recording of the whole or a part of that work or other subject-matter, the person or body is not entitled to rely on section 54(1) or (5)(a) (including those provisions as applied by section 115C) unless, at the time the record was made, there was embodied on the record, immediately before the commencement of that sound recording, a sound recording of a prescribed message.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(4) A person who —

(a) makes on a copy of the whole or a part of a work or other subject-matter, a notation referred to in subsection (1);

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) makes on, or attaches to, a copy of a sound recording or a cinematograph film a notation of the kind referred to in subsection (2); or

Copyright251 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

being a notation of message that contains a statement that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is false or misleading in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (1), (2) and (3) —

(a) where a copy of a work or other subject-matter, a sound recording or a cinematograph film is made, or caused to be made, by an authorised officer of a library, or is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of a library, being a library of an institution, the copy shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the institution;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) where a copy of a work or other subject-matter, a sound recording or a cinematograph film is made, or caused to be made by an authorised officer of a library, or is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of a library, being a library that is not a library of an institution, then —

(i) the copy shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the person or body administering the library; and

(ii) those subsections apply as if a reference in those subsections to an institution included a reference to that person or body;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(c) where a copy of a work or other subject-matter, a sound recording or a cinematograph film is made, or caused to be made, by an authorised officer of archives, or is made by or on behalf of the officer-in-charge of archives, then —

(i) the copy shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the person or body administering the archives; and

(ii) those subsections apply as if a reference in those subsections to an institution included a reference to that person or body;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(d) where a copy, or a record embodying a sound recording, of a whole or of a part of a work or other subject-matter, is made by or on behalf of the body administering an institution, the copy or record, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the institution; and

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(e) where a copy of a sound recording or cinematograph film is made by or on behalf of the body administering an institution, the copy shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the institution.

(6) The production, in any proceedings —

(a) for infringement of copyright in a work or other subject-matter;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) before a Copyright Tribunal on application made under section 52(11), 54(15) or 54A(7); or

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

of a copy of a work or other subject-matter, or of a part of a work or other subject-matter, bearing a notation of the kind referred to in subsection (1) is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the notation.

[23/2009 wef 31/12/2009]

[6/98]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), where a copy of a work or other subject-matter or a part of a work or other subject-matter bears a notation of a kind referred to in subsection (1), the notation shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been made on the copy at or about the time the copy was made.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(8) The production, in any proceedings of a kind referred to in subsection (6), of a record embodying a sound recording of a work or other subject-matter or a part of a work or other subject-matter, being a record that also embodies a sound recording of a message of the

Copyright253 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

kind referred to in subsection (3), is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the message.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8), where a record embodying a sound recording of a work or other subject-matter or a part of a work or other subject-matter also embodies a sound recording of a message of the kind referred to in subsection (3), the message shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been embodied on the record at the time the record was made.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(10) The production, in any proceedings —

(a) for infringement of copyright in a sound recording or a cinematograph film; or

(b) for a contravention of this Act,

of a copy of a sound recording or a cinematograph film bearing, or to which there is attached, a notation of the kind referred to in subsection (2), is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the notation.

(11) For the purposes of subsection (10), where a copy of a sound recording or a cinematograph film bears, or where there is attached to such a copy, a notation of the kind referred to in subsection (2), the notation shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been made on or attached to the copy at or about the time the copy was made.

(12) In this section, “copy”, in relation to a work or other subject-matter or a part of a work or other subject-matter, includes a microform copy, a copy in an accessible format, of the work or other subject-matter or of the part thereof.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

Immunity of Government, etc.

201A. No action or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Government or any officer or employee thereof for anything which is in good faith done or omitted to be done in the exercise of any power, duty or function under this Act or any regulations.

[6/98]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Offence committed by partnership or body corporate

201B.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under section 136, 139 or 254A alleged to have been committed by a partnership shall be brought against the partnership in the name of the firm and not in that of the partners; but without prejudice to any liability of the partners under subsection (3).

[38/99]

(2) A fine imposed on a partnership on its conviction in such proceedings shall be paid out of the partnership assets.

[38/99]

(3) Where a partnership is guilty of an offence under section 136, 139 or 254A, every partner, other than a partner who is proved to have been ignorant of or to have attempted to prevent the commission of the offence, is also guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

[38/99]

(4) Where an offence under section 136, 139 or 254A committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

[38/99]

Regulations

202.—(1) The Minister may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act prescribing all matters that are required to be prescribed or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations made under this Act may provide for —

(a) the keeping and retention of records and declarations in relation to copies of works made by libraries, archives or institutions;

(b) the deposit of such records and declarations with persons appointed by the Minister; and

Copyright255 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

[22/2005]

203. *[Omitted]

204. †[Omitted]

PART XI

TRANSITIONAL

Division 1 — Preliminary

Interpretation of this Part

205.—(1) In this Part, the expression “photograph” shall, in lieu of the meaning given to that expression by section 7, have the meaning given by subsection (2).

(2) For the purposes of any provision of this Part that provides that an expression is to have the meaning given to that expression by this section or that refers to an expression as defined by this section —

“collective works” means —

(a) an encyclopaedia, dictionary, year book or similar work;

(b) a newspaper, review, magazine or similar periodical; or

(c) a work written in distinct parts by different authors, or in which works or parts of works of different authors are incorporated;

“deliver”, in relation to a lecture, includes deliver by means of a mechanical instrument;

“dramatic work” includes a piece for recitation, a choreographic work or entertainment in dumb show the scenic arrangement or acting form of which is fixed in writing or otherwise, and a cinematograph production where the arrangement, the acting

* This section repealed the U.K. Copyright Act 1911, the Copyright Act (Cap. 187, 1970 Ed.) and the Copyright (Gramophone Records and Government Broadcasting) Act (Cap. 188, 1970 Ed.).

† This section repealed section 38 of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Act 1979 (Act 33 of 1979).

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

form or the combination of incidents represented gives the work an original character;

“lecture” includes an address, speech and sermon;

“literary work” includes a map, chart, plan, table and compilation;

“perform”, in relation to a dramatic work as defined by this section or a musical work, means to make an acoustic representation of the work or a visual representation of a dramatic action in the work, and includes such a representation made by means of a mechanical instrument;

“photograph” includes photo-lithograph and a work produced by a process similar to photography.

References to making of works, recordings and films

206. For the purposes of any reference in this Part to works, sound recordings or cinematograph films made before 10th April 1987, a work, sound recording or cinematograph film the making of which extended over a period shall be deemed not to have been made before that date unless the making of it was completed before that date.

[S 107/87]

References in other laws or instruments to copyright

207.—(1) Without prejudice to the operation of the other provisions of this Part —

(a) a reference in any other written law or in any contract, agreement or other instrument to a provision of the Copyright Act 1911 shall be read as a reference, or as including a reference, to the corresponding provision of this Act;

(b) a reference in any other written law or in any contract, agreement or other instrument to copyright or to works in which copyright subsists shall, if apart from this Act it would be read as a reference to copyright under the Copyright Act 1911 or to works in which copyright subsisted under that Act, be read as a reference, or as including a reference, to copyright under this Act or to

Copyright257 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

works or any other subject-matter in which copyright subsists under this Act, as the case may be; and

(c) a reference in any other written law or in any contract, agreement or other instrument to the grant of an interest in copyright by licence shall be read, in relation to copyright under this Act, as a reference to the grant of a licence in respect of that copyright.

(2) This section shall have effect unless the contrary intention appears in any other written law or in the contract, agreement or other instrument, as the case may be.

Authorship of photographs

208. A reference in this Act to the author of a photograph shall, in relation to a photograph taken before 10th April 1987, be read as a reference to the person who, at the time when the photograph was taken, was the owner of the material on which the photograph was taken.

Publication

209.—(1) For the purposes of the application of section 24(5) in determining whether a publication that took place before 10th April 1987 was the first publication, the reference in that section to a period of not more than 30 days shall be read as a reference to a period of not more than 14 days.

[S 107/87]

(2) For the purposes of the application of section 24(7) in relation to an act done before that date —

(a) a reference in that section to copyright shall include a reference to copyright under the Copyright Act 1911; and

(b) a reference in that section to the licence of the owner of copyright shall be read as a reference to the consent or acquiescence of the owner.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Division 2 — Original Works

Expired copyright not to revive

210.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part III, copyright shall not subsist by virtue of that Part in a work first published before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in the work under the Copyright Act 1911 immediately before that date.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a work to which Division 5 applies.

Original works in which copyright subsists

211.—(1) Section 27(1) shall apply to works made before 10th April 1987 as if each reference in that subsection to a qualified person included a reference to a British subject and to a person domiciled in a country to which the Copyright Act 1911 extended.

(2) Section 27(2) shall apply to works first published before 10th April 1987 —

(a) as if each reference in paragraph (c) of that subsection to Singapore included a reference to a country to which the Copyright Act 1911 extended; and

(b) as if paragraphs (d) and (e) of that subsection were omitted.

(3) Section 27(2) shall apply to works that are first published after 10th April 1987 and the author of which died before the commencement of the repealed Singapore Citizenship Ordinance 1957* (Ord. 35/57) as if the reference in paragraph (e) of that section to a qualified person included a reference to a person who would have been a citizen of Singapore if that Ordinance had been in force immediately before his death.

(4) Section 27(3) shall not apply to or in relation to a building that was constructed before 10th April 1987.

[S 107/87]

(5) This section shall have effect subject to section 210.

*The Ordinance came into operation on 1st November 1957.

Copyright259 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Duration of copyright in photographs

212. Section 28(6) shall not apply in relation to a photograph taken before 10th April 1987 but, subject to section 27(2) as affected by section 207, copyright subsisting in such a photograph by virtue of Part III shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the photograph was taken.

[21/2004]

Ownership of copyright

213.—(1) Section 30(4) and (6) shall not apply in relation to works made before 10th April 1987.

(2) Section 30(5) shall not apply in relation to a work that was or is made in pursuance of an agreement made before 10th April 1987.

(3) Where a work is excluded from the application of section 30(4), (5) or (6) by reason of either of subsection (1) or (2), section 30(2) shall have effect in relation to the work subject to subsections (4) to (8).

(4) The operation of any of subsections (5) to (8) in relation to a particular work may be excluded or modified by agreement.

(5) Where, in the case of a work being a photograph, portrait or engraving —

(a) a person made, for valuable consideration, an agreement with another person for the taking of the photograph, the painting or drawing of the portrait or the making of the engraving by the other person; and

(b) the work was made in pursuance of the agreement,

the first-mentioned person is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of Part III.

(6) Where the work was made by the author in pursuance of the terms of his employment by another person under a contract of service or apprenticeship, that other person is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of Part III.

(7) Where the work is a literary, dramatic or artistic work that was made by the author in pursuance of the terms of his employment by

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the proprietor of a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical under a contract of service or apprenticeship and was so made for the purpose of publication in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical, the author is entitled to restrain the publication of the work otherwise than in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical.

(8) In subsections (5), (6) and (7), expressions that are defined by section 205 shall have the meanings respectively given to those expressions by that section and shall not have the meanings, if any, respectively given to those expressions by Part II.

Recording of musical works

214.—(1) Where a record of a work has, before 10th April 1987, been made by, or with the consent or acquiescence of, the owner of the copyright in the work under the Copyright Act 1911, Division 8 of Part III shall have the like effect as if the record had been made in Singapore for the purpose of retail sale and had been so made by, or with the licence of, the person who is entitled, by virtue of this Act, to authorise the making in Singapore of records of the work.

[S 107/87]

(2) Section 19(2) to (7) of the Copyright Act 1911 as in force immediately before 10th April 1987 shall continue to apply in relation to records made before that date and, subject to that section, any regulations made for the purposes of that section and in force immediately before that date shall continue to apply in relation to those records.

Publication of artistic works

215. Section 66 shall not apply in relation to a painting, drawing, engraving, photography or cinematograph film made before 10th April 1987, but the copyright in an artistic work is not infringed by the publication of a painting, drawing, engraving, photograph or cinematograph film made before that date if, by virtue of section 63 or 64, the making of the painting, drawing, engraving, photograph or film would not have constituted an infringement of the copyright under this Act if this Act had been in operation at the time when it was made.

Copyright261 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Reconstruction of buildings

216. The reference in section 72(2) to construction of a building by, or with the licence of, the owner of the copyright in architectural drawings or plans shall be read as including a reference to construction by, or with the licence of, the person who, at the time of the construction, was the owner of the copyright in the drawings or plans.

Industrial designs

217.—(1) Division 10 of Part III and the Schedule shall not apply to artistic works made before 10th April 1987.

[S 107/87]

(2) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of this Act in an artistic work made before 10th April 1987 which, at the time when the work was made, constituted a design capable of being registered under the Patents and Designs Act 1907 of the United Kingdom (U.K. 1907, c. 29), and was used, or intended to be used, as a model or pattern to be multiplied by an industrial process.

Reproduction of work upon payment of royalties

218.—(1) The copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work that has been published before 10th April 1987 is not infringed by the reproduction of the work for sale if —

(a) the reproduction takes place at a time after the expiration of 25 years, or, in the case of a work in which copyright subsisted at the commencement of the Copyright Act 1911, after the expiration of 30 years, after the date of the death of the author; and

(b) the person reproducing the work establishes —

(i) that, before 10th April 1987, he gave the notice in writing of his intention to reproduce the work that was prescribed for the purposes of the proviso to section 3 of the Copyright Act 1911; and

(ii) that he has paid, in the manner that was prescribed for the purposes of that proviso, or is prescribed for the purposes of this section, as the case may be, to, or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

for the benefit of, the owner of the copyright royalties in respect of all copies of the work sold by him calculated at the rate of 10% of the price at which he published the reproduction.

(2) The regulations may make provision for or in relation to the manner in which, and the times at which, payment of royalties is to be made for the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(ii) and may include provision requiring payment in advance, or otherwise securing the payment of the royalties.

(3) A reference in subsection (1)(a) to a time after the expiration of a specified number of years from the date of the death of the author of a work shall, in the case of a work of joint authorship, be read as a reference to a time after —

(a) the expiration of the same number of years from the date of the death of the author who died first; or

(b) the date of the death of the author who died last,

whichever is the later.

(4) Where a literary, dramatic or musical work, or an engraving, in which copyright subsisted at the date of the death of the author or, in the case of a work of joint authorship, at or immediately before the date of the death of the author who died last —

(a) had not been published;

(b) in the case of a dramatic or musical work — had not been performed in public; and

before that date, subsection (1) shall apply as if the author had died on the date on which —

(d) in the case of a literary work (other than a lecture) or an engraving — the work was first published;

(e) in the case of a dramatic or musical work — the work was first published or first performed in public, whichever first happened; or

Copyright263 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(f) in the case of a lecture— the lecture was first published or first delivered in public, whichever first happened.

(5) In this section, expressions that are defined by section 205 shall have the meanings respectively given to those expressions by that section and do not have the meanings, if any, respectively given to those expressions by Part II.

Division 3 — Subject-Matter other than Works

Sound recordings

219.—(1) Section 87(1) shall apply in relation to sound recordings made before 10th April 1987 as if the reference in that section to a qualified person included a reference to a British subject and to a person domiciled in a country to which the Copyright Act 1911 extended.

[S 107/87]

(2) Section 87(2) shall not apply in relation to a sound recording made before 10th April 1987.

(3) Section 87(3) shall apply in relation to sound recordings first published before 10th April 1987 as if the reference in that subsection to Singapore included a reference to a country to which the Copyright Act 1911 extended.

(4) Section 92 shall not apply in relation to a sound recording made before 10th April 1987 but copyright subsisting in such a recording by virtue of section 87(1) or (3) shall continue to subsist until the expiration of 70 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the recording was made.

[21/2004]

Cinematograph films

220. Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 88 in a cinematograph film made before 10th April 1987.

Application of this Act to dramatic works and photographs comprised in cinematograph films

221.—(1) Where a cinematograph film made before 10th April 1987 was an original dramatic work as defined by section 205, this

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Act (other than this subsection) shall have effect in relation to the film as if the film had been an original dramatic work as defined by section 7 and the person who was the author of the work for the purposes of the Copyright Act 1911 shall be deemed to be the author of the work for the purposes of this Act as having effect by virtue of this subsection.

(2) This Act shall have effect in relation to photographs forming part of a cinematograph film made before 10th April 1987 in like manner as it has effect in relation to photographs not forming part of a cinematograph film.

Television broadcasts and sound broadcasts

222. Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 89 in —

(a) a television broadcast or a sound broadcast made before 10th April 1987; or

(b) a television broadcast or a sound broadcast made after that date that is a repetition of a television broadcast or a sound broadcast made before that date.

Published editions of works

223. Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 91 in a published edition of a work or works where the first publication of the edition took place before 10th April 1987.

[S 107/87]

Cable programmes

224. Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 90 in a cable programme which is included in a cable programme service before 10th April 1987.

Division 4 — Miscellaneous

Actions for infringement

225. Sections 119 and 120 shall not apply to an infringement of copyright under the Copyright Act 1911 and shall not affect any proceedings under that Act, whether instituted before or after 10th April 1987.

Copyright265 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Actions where copyright subject to exclusive licence

226. Division 3 of Part V shall not apply in relation to a licence granted before 10th April 1987 and shall not affect any proceedings under the Copyright Act 1911, whether instituted before or after that date.

Offences

227. For the purposes of Division 5 of Part V, the definition of “infringing copy” in section 7 shall apply as if any reference in that definition to copyright included a reference to copyright under the Copyright Act 1911.

Limitation of actions

228. Section 142 shall not apply in relation to an infringement of copyright under the Copyright Act 1911 or to an article made, or imported into Singapore, before 10th April 1987.

Restriction of importation of printed copies of works

229. [Omitted]

References and applications to Tribunal in relation to licence schemes

230.—(1) Part VII shall apply in relation to licence schemes formulated before 10th April 1987 in like manner as it applies in relation to licence schemes formulated on or after that date, but, for the purposes of the application of that Part in relation to licence schemes formulated before that date, any reference in that Part to copyright includes a reference to copyright under the Copyright Act 1911.

[S 107/87]

(2) Any reference in section 163 to a refusal or failure to grant or procure the grant of a licence, or to a proposal that a licence should be granted, shall not include a reference to a refusal or failure that occurred, or to a proposal that was made, before 10th April 1987.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Duration of Government copyright in photographs

231. Section 197(4) shall apply in relation to photographs taken before 10th April 1987 as if subsection (4A) of that section were omitted.

Duration of Government copyright in recordings

232. Section 197(5) shall apply in relation to sound recordings made before 10th April 1987 as if the reference in that section to the expiration of the calendar year in which the recording is first published were a reference to the expiration of the calendar year in which the recording was made.

Government copyright in films

233.—(1) Section 197(5) shall not apply in relation to cinematograph films made before 10th April 1987.

(2) Where section 197(5) does not apply in relation to a cinematograph film by reason of subsection (1) —

(a) if the film was an original dramatic work as defined by section 205 — section 197(1), (2) and (3), shall apply, in relation to that work in accordance with section 221(1); and

(b) section 197(1), (2) and (3), as modified by section 231, shall apply in relation to photographs forming part of the film in like manner as they apply in relation to photographs not forming part of a cinematograph film.

Works made or published by international organisations

234.—(1) Section 185(3) shall not apply in relation to works made before 10th April 1987.

(2) Section 185(4) shall not apply in relation to works first published before 10th April 1987.

Copyright267 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Subject-matter, other than original works, made or published by international organisations

235.—(1) Section 185(3) shall not apply in relation to sound recordings or cinematograph films made before 10th April 1987.

[S 107/87]

(2) Section 185(4) shall not apply in relation to sound recordings or cinematograph films first published before 10th April 1987.

(3) Section 185(5) shall not apply in relation to an edition published before 10th April 1987.

False attribution of authorship of work

236.—(1) It is a breach of the duty imposed on a person by section 188 if the person does, on or after 10th April 1987, any of the acts mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (c) of that section in relation to a work notwithstanding that the name concerned was inserted or affixed before that date.

[52/2004]

(1A) It is a breach of the duty imposed on a person by section 188 if the person does, on or after 1st January 2005, any of the acts mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (c) of that section in relation to a recording of a performance, notwithstanding that the name concerned was inserted or affixed before that date.

[52/2004]

(2) Subject to subsection (1), Part IX shall not apply in relation to acts done before 10th April 1987.

(2A) Subject to subsection (1A), Part IX shall not apply in relation to acts done before 1st January 2005 in respect of a recording of a performance.

[52/2004]

(3) In this section, “name” includes initials or a monogram.

Assignments and licences

237.—(1) Subject to this section, where copyright subsists in a work by virtue of this Act, any document that was made, or event that occurred, before 10th April 1987, being a document or event that had any operation affecting the ownership of, or creating, transferring or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

terminating an interest, right or licence in respect of, copyright in the work under the Copyright Act 1911 or would have had such an operation if that Act had continued in force, shall have the like operation in relation to the copyright in the work under this Act.

(2) If the operation of a document to which subsection (1) applies was or would have been limited to a period specified in the document, the document shall not have any operation in relation to the copyright under this Act, except insofar as that period extends after 10th April 1987.

(3) For the purposes of the operation of a document in accordance with this section —

(a) expressions used in the document shall have the same respective meanings as they had immediately before 10th April 1987, whether or not those expressions have different meanings for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) section 195(1) shall not apply.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), where the author of a work that was made before 10th April 1987 was the first owner of the copyright in the work —

(a) any assignment of the copyright, or any grant of an interest in the copyright, made by the author (otherwise than by will) after the commencement of the Copyright Act 1911 and before 10th April 1987, being an assignment or grant that has effect in relation to copyright in the work under this Act by virtue of subsection (1), shall not operate to vest in the assignee or grantee any rights with respect to the copyright in the work after the expiration of 25 years after the date of the death of the author;

(b) on the death of the author, the reversionary interest in the copyright expectant on the termination of that period shall devolve, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, on his legal personal representative as part of his estate; and

(c) any agreement entered into by the author as to the disposition of that reversionary interest is of no force or effect.

Copyright269 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(4A) Nothing in subsection (4) shall be taken to apply to the assignment of the copyright in a collective work or a licence to publish a work or a part of a work as part of a collective work.

[S 107/87]

(5) In subsection (4), expressions that are defined by section 205 have the meanings respectively given to those expressions by that section and shall not have the meanings, if any, respectively given to those expressions by Part II.

(6) Subsections (1) to (5) shall apply in relation to copyright under this Act in a sound recording or in a cinematograph film in like manner as they apply in relation to copyright in a work but a reference in those subsections to the copyright under the Copyright Act 1911 shall —

(a) in the application of those subsections in relation to a sound recording — be read as a reference to the copyright under that Act in records embodying the recording; and

(b) in the application of those subsections in relation to a cinematograph film — be read as a reference to any copyright under that Act in the film (insofar as it constituted a dramatic work for the purposes of that Act) or in photographs forming part of the film.

Bequests

238.—(1) Section 196 shall not apply in relation to a bequest contained in the will of a testator who died before 10th April 1987.

[S 107/87]

(2) Where —

(a) an author has died before 10th April 1987;

(b) a person has acquired, under the will of the author, the ownership of a manuscript of a work by the author; and

(i) has not been published;

(ii) in the case of a dramatic or musical work — has not been performed in public; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(iii) in the case of a lecture — has not been delivered in public,

the ownership by that person of the manuscript shall be evidence that that person is the owner of the copyright in the work.

(3) In subsection (1), expressions that are defined by section 205 shall have the meanings respectively given to those expressions by that section and shall not have the meanings, if any, respectively given to those expressions by Part II.

Existing computer programs

239.—(1) The Copyright Act 1911 shall apply to a computer program made before 10th April 1987 as it applies in relation to a literary work and shall so apply whether or not copyright would subsist in that program apart from this Act.

(2) Where, by virtue of subsection (1), copyright subsists under the Copyright Act 1911 in a computer program that was made before 10th April 1987, nothing done in relation to the computer program before that date shall be taken to constitute an offence under the repealed Copyright Act* (Cap. 187, 1970 Ed.) or an infringement of that copyright.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a computer program the making of which extends over a period shall be deemed not to have been made before 10th April 1987 unless the making of it was completed before that date.

[S 107/87]

Division 5 — Works made before 1st July 1912

Interpretation of this Division

240. In this Division, “right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911”, in relation to a work, means a right that, by virtue of section 24 of the Copyright Act 1911, was conferred in place of a right that subsisted immediately before the commencement of that Act*.

*Repealed by section 203, which is omitted in this Edition.

*The Act came into operation on 1st July 1912.

Copyright271 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Application

241. This Division shall apply to works made before 1st July 1912.

Rights conferred by Copyright Act 1911

242. Notwithstanding anything in Division 2, section 27 shall not apply to a work to which this Division applies unless a right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911 subsisted in the work immediately before 10th April 1987.

Performing rights

243.—(1) Where the right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911 in relation to a dramatic or musical work to which this Division applies did not include the sole right to perform the work in public, then, copyright, insofar as it subsists in the work by virtue of this Act, shall not include the performing rights in relation to the work.

(2) Where the right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911 in relation to a dramatic or musical work to which this Division applies consisted only of the sole right to perform the work in public, then, copyright, insofar as it subsists in the work by virtue of this Act, shall consist only of the performing rights in relation to the work.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the performing rights, in relation to a work, are —

(a) the exclusive right to perform the work, or an adaptation of the work, in public;

(b) the exclusive right to broadcast the work or an adaptation of the work; and

Contributions to periodicals

244. Where —

(a) a work to which this Division applies (in this section referred to as the relevant work) consists of an essay, article or item forming part of, and first published in, a review, magazine or other periodical or work of a like nature; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) immediately before 10th April 1987, a right of publishing the relevant work in a separate form subsisted by virtue of the note to the First Schedule to the Copyright Act 1911,

copyright subsisting in the relevant work by virtue of this Act shall be subject to that right of publishing the relevant work in a separate form.

[S 107/87]

Assignments and licences

245.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality of section 237(1), where —

(a) the author of a work to which this Division applies had, before the commencement of the Copyright Act 1911*, made an assignment or grant of a kind referred to in paragraph (a) of the proviso to section 24(1) of that Act (referred to in this section as paragraph (a) of the proviso); and

(b) copyright subsists in the work by virtue of this Act,

subsections (2), (3) and (4) shall have effect.

(2) If, before 10th April 1987, an event occurred or a notice was given, being an event or notice that, in accordance with paragraph (a) of the proviso, had any operation affecting the ownership of the right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911 in relation to the work or creating, transferring or terminating an interest, right or licence in respect of that right, that event or notice shall have the like operation in relation to the copyright in the work under this Act.

(3) Any right that, at a time after 10th April 1987, would, by virtue of paragraph (a) of the proviso, have been exercisable in relation to the work or in relation to the right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911, if this Act had not been enacted, shall be exercisable in relation to the work or in relation to the copyright subsisting in the work under this Act, as the case may be.

(4) If, in accordance with paragraph (a) of the proviso, the right conferred by the Copyright Act 1911 would have reverted to the author or his personal representatives on the date referred to in that

*The Act came into operation on 1st July 1912.

Copyright273 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

paragraph, and that date occurs after 10th April 1987, then on that date —

(a) the copyright in the work under this Act shall revert to the author or his personal representatives, as the case may be; and

(b) any interest of any other person in that copyright that subsists on that date by virtue of any document made before the commencement of the Copyright Act 1911 shall cease.

PART XII

PERFORMERS’ PROTECTION

Interpretation of this Part

246.—(1) In this Part —

“action” means a proceeding of a civil nature between parties and includes a counterclaim;

“authorised”, in relation to a recording of a performance, means made with the authority of the performer;

“direct”, in relation to a recording of a performance, means made —

(a) directly from the live performance; or

(b) from a broadcast or re-broadcast of, or a cable programme that includes, the performance;

“electronic copy”, in relation to an electronic recording, means a copy in an electronic form of the recording;

“electronic recording” means a recording in an electronic form, whether it is a direct recording or a copy thereof;

“exempt recording” means —

(a) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made solely for the purpose of the private and domestic use of the person who made it;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made solely for the purpose of use in scientific research;

(c) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made by, or on behalf of, the body administering an educational institution solely for the educational purposes of that institution or of another educational institution;

(d) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made solely for the purposes of setting or answering the questions in an examination or communicating the questions to the candidates;

(e) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made in the course of instruction, or preparation for instruction, in the making of a cinematograph film or a sound-track associated with the visual images forming part of a cinematograph film, if the recording is done by a person giving or receiving such instruction;

(f) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made by, or on behalf of, the body administering an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities solely for use by a person with a reading disability for the purpose of research or study that he is undertaking or proposes to undertake, or for the purpose of otherwise instructing himself on any matter;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(g) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made by, or on behalf of, the body administering an institution assisting intellectually handicapped persons solely for the purpose of the provision, whether by the institution or otherwise, of assistance to intellectually handicapped persons;

(h) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made —

Copyright275 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) for the purpose of, or in relation to, the reporting of news or current affairs; or

(ii) for the purpose of criticism or review;

(i) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made —

(i) for the purpose of judicial proceedings;

(ii) for the purpose of seeking professional advice from an advocate and solicitor; or

(iii) for the purpose of, or in the course of, the giving of professional advice by an advocate and solicitor;

(j) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made by a broadcaster who has the authority of the performer to broadcast the performance, being a recording made solely for the purpose of making that broadcast;

(k) a direct or an indirect recording of a performance made by a person who reasonably believes, due to a fraudulent or innocent misrepresentation made to the person, that the performer has authorised the making of the recording by the person;

(l) a copy of a recording referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i), being a copy made solely for a purpose referred to in any of those paragraphs;

(m) a copy of a recording referred to in paragraph (j), being a copy made solely for the purpose referred to in that paragraph;

(n) a copy of a recording referred to in paragraph (k), being a copy made —

(i) by a person who believes, due to a fraudulent or innocent misrepresentation made to the person, that the performer has authorised the making of the copy; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) solely for a purpose referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i); or

(o) a copy of an authorised recording of a performance;

“flagrantly infringing online location” means an online location which is determined by the High Court under section 252CDA to have been or is being used to flagrantly make or facilitate unauthorised use of performances;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

“monetary relief” means damages, an account of profits or statutory damages;

“network service provider” —

(a) for the purposes of sections 252A, 252CDA and 252CDB, means a person who provides services relating to, or provides connections for, the transmission or routing of data; and

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(b) for the purposes of sections 252B to 252CC and 252CE, means a person who provides, or operates facilities for, online services or network access and includes a person referred to in paragraph (a),

but does not include such person or class of persons as the Minister may prescribe;

“performance” means —

(a) a performance (including an improvisation) of a dramatic work, or part of such a work, including such a performance given with the use of puppets;

(b) a performance (including an improvisation) of a musical work or part of such a work;

(c) the reading, recitation or delivery of a literary work, or part of such a work, or the recitation or delivery of an improvised literary work;

(d) a performance of a dance; or

Copyright277 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) a performance of a circus act or a variety act or any similar presentation or show,

being a live performance given in Singapore or by one or more qualified persons, whether in the presence of an audience or otherwise;

“primary network”, in relation to a network service provider, refers to a network controlled or operated by or for the network service provider;

“protection period”, in relation to a performance, means the period beginning on the day when the performance is given and ending at the end of the period of 70 calendar years after the calendar year in which the performance is given;

“qualified person” means a citizen of Singapore or a person resident in Singapore;

“recording” means a sound recording other than an exempt recording;

“routing” means directing or choosing the means or routes for the transmission of data;

“sound recording” includes an article in which sounds are embodied;

“unauthorised”, in relation to a recording of a performance, means made without the authority of the performer;

“unauthorised use” has the meaning given to it in section 252. [6/98; 38/99; 21/2004; 52/2004]

(2) The following shall be taken not to be performances for the purposes of this Part:

(a) a performance referred to in section 23(1);

(b) a reading, recital or delivery of any item of news and information;

(d) a participation in a performance as a member of an audience;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) a performance in a National Day Parade in Singapore; or

(f) any other performance as may be prescribed by the Minister.

[6/98]

(3) In this Part —

(a) a reference to the doing of an act in relation to a performance shall be read as including a reference to the doing of that act in relation to a substantial part of the performance;

(b) a reference to the doing of an act in relation to a recording of a performance shall be read as including a reference to the doing of that act in relation to a recording of a substantial part of the performance;

(c) a reference to the doing of an act in relation to a performance, or a recording of a performance, with the authority of the performer is, in the case of 2 or more performers, a reference to the doing of the act where each of the performers has authorised the doing of the act; and

(d) a reference to the doing of an act in relation to a performance, or a recording of a performance, without the authority of the performer is, in the case of 2 or more performers, a reference to the doing of the act where at least one of the performers has not authorised the doing of the act.

[6/98]

Educational purposes

247. Without limiting the meaning of the expression “educational purposes” in paragraph (c) of the definition of “exempt recording” in section 246(1), a recording or a copy of such a recording, shall be taken to have been made for the educational purposes of an educational institution if it is made —

(a) for use in connection with a particular course of instruction provided by the institution; or

(b) for inclusion in the collection of a library of the institution. [6/98]

Copyright279 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Exempt recordings cease to be exempt recordings in certain circumstances

248.—(1) If any recording of a performance, being a recording that is an exempt recording under paragraph (j) of the definition of “exempt recording” in section 246(1), is not destroyed —

(a) before the expiration of the period of 6 months or, in the case of a recording made by a non-profit organisation solely for its own broadcast, 2 years, commencing on the day on which the recording is first used for broadcasting the performance; or

(b) before the expiration of such further period, if any, as is agreed between the maker of the recording and the performer of the performance,

the recording shall, at the end of that period, cease to be an exempt recording.

[38/99]

(2) If any copy of a recording of a performance, being an exempt recording under paragraph (m) of the definition of “exempt recording” in section 246(1), is not destroyed —

(a) before the expiration of the period of 6 months or, in the case of a copy made by a non-profit organisation solely for its own broadcast, 2 years, commencing on the day on which the copy is first used for broadcasting the performance; or

(b) before the expiration of such further period, if any, as is agreed between the maker of the copy and the performer of the performance,

the copy of the recording shall, at the end of that period, cease to be an exempt recording.

[38/99]

(3) A recording or a copy of such a recording that is an exempt recording because it was made for a purpose referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of the definition of “exempt recording” in section 246(1), ceases to be an exempt

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

recording if it is used for any other purpose without the authority of the performer.

[6/98]

Private and domestic use

249. For the purposes of this Part, a recording or a copy of such a recording shall be taken not to have been made for the private and domestic use of the person who made it if it is made for the purpose of —

(a) selling it, letting it for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing it for sale or hire;

(b) distributing it for the purposes of trade;

(d) broadcasting it or including it in a cable programme service; or

(e) causing it to be heard in public. [6/98; 38/99]

References to inclusion of performance in cable programme service

250. A reference in this Part to the inclusion of a performance or a recording thereof in a cable programme service is a reference to the inclusion of the performance or recording in a programme of such a service by the person providing that service.

[6/98; 38/99]

Application

251.—(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Part, this Part shall apply to an act done on or after 16th April 1998 in relation to a performance given before, on or after that date.

[6/98; 38/99]

(2) Nothing in this Part shall affect any copyright subsisting in a work that is performed or in any sound recording, cinematograph film or broadcast of a performance, or any other right or obligation arising otherwise than under this Part.

[6/98]

Copyright281 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

What constitutes unauthorised use

252.—(1) A person makes an unauthorised use of a performance if the person, at any time during the protection period of the performance and without the authority of the performer —

(a) makes a direct or an indirect recording of the performance in any manner or medium;

(b) communicates the live performance to the public;

(c) makes a copy of a recording of the performance that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is an unauthorised recording;

(d) makes a copy of an exempt recording of the performance, being a copy that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is not itself an exempt recording;

(e) causes the performance to be seen and heard, or seen or heard, live in public;

(f) publishes the recording of the performance if it is unpublished; or

(g) makes available a recording of the performance to the public (on a network or otherwise) in such a way that the recording may be accessed by any person from a place and at a time chosen by him.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(1A) A person makes an unauthorised use of a performance if the person, at any time on or after 15th December 1999 and during the protection period of the performance, and without the authority of the performer —

(a) sells, lets for hire, or by way of trade exhibits in public or offers or exposes for sale or hire a recording of the performance that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is an unauthorised recording;

(b) distributes a recording of the performance for the purposes of trade, being a recording that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is an unauthorised recording; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) selling it, letting it for hire, or by way of trade exhibiting it in public or offering or exposing it for sale or hire; or

(ii) distributing it for the purposes of trade,

being a recording that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is an unauthorised recording.

[38/99]

(1B) A reference in this section to the making of a copy of a recording of a performance includes a reference to the making of a copy which is transient or is incidental to some other use of the recording.

[38/99]

(2) This section shall apply only to acts done in Singapore. [38/99]

Transmission, routing and provision of connections

252A.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 252CB, make any order against a network service provider for any unauthorised use of any performance, the protection period of which has not expired, that occurs by reason of —

(a) the transmission or routing by the network service provider of, or the provision of connections by the network service provider for, an electronic recording of the performance through the network service provider’s primary network; or

(b) any transient storage by the network service provider of an electronic recording of the performance in the course of such transmission, routing or provision of connections,

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions set out in subsection (2).

[52/2004]

Copyright283 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1) are that —

(a) the transmission of the electronic recording of the performance was initiated by or at the direction of a person other than the network service provider;

(b) the transmission, routing, provision of connections or storage is carried out through an automatic technical process without any selection of the electronic recording of the performance by the network service provider;

(c) the network service provider does not select the recipients of the electronic recording of the performance except as an automatic response to the request of another person; and

(d) the network service provider does not make any substantive modification (other than any modification made as part of a technical process) to the content of the electronic recording of the performance during the transmission of the electronic recording of the performance through the primary network.

[52/2004]

System caching

252B.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 252CB, make any order against a network service provider for any unauthorised use of any performance, the protection period of which has not expired, that occurs by reason of the making by the network service provider of an electronic recording of the performance (referred to in this section as the cached copy) on the network service provider’s primary network —

(a) from another electronic recording of the performance made available on a network (referred to in this section as the originating network);

(b) through an automatic process;

(d) in order to facilitate efficient access to the performance by that user or other users,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions set out in subsection (2).

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not make any substantive modification (other than any modification made as part of a technical process) to the content of the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance during the transmission of the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance to users of the primary network or another network;

(b) if the network service provider is furnished in the prescribed manner with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form relating to the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance —

(i) purportedly made by the performer of the performance or under the performer’s authority; and

(ii) stating the prescribed matters,

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to remove or disable access to the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network; and

(i) access to the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance by users of the primary network or another network;

(ii) the refreshing, reloading or updating of the cached copy of the electronic recording of the performance; and

(iii) non-interference with technology used at the originating network to obtain information about the use of any electronic recording of any performance

Copyright285 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

on the originating network, being technology that is consistent with industry standards in Singapore.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

Storage and information location

252C.—(1) The court shall not grant any monetary relief or, except as provided for in section 252CB, make any order against a network service provider for any infringement of copyright in any performance, the protection period of which has not expired, that occurs by reason of —

(a) the storage, at the direction of a user of the network service provider’s primary network, of an electronic recording of the performance on the primary network, if the network service provider satisfies the conditions referred to in subsection (2); or

(b) the network service provider referring or linking a user of any network to an online location on a network (referred to in this section as the originating network), being a location at which an electronic recording of the performance is made available, by the use of —

(i) an information location tool such as a hyperlink or directory; or

(ii) an information location service such as a search engine,

if the network service provider satisfies the conditions referred to in subsection (4).

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not receive any financial benefit directly attributable to any unauthorised use of the performance that occurs in, or in the course of, making available the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network, provided that the network service provider has the right and ability to control the unauthorised use of the performance;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) if the network service provider —

(i) acquires actual knowledge that there has been an unauthorised use of the performance in, or in the course of, making available the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network;

(ii) acquires knowledge of such facts or circumstances which would lead inevitably to the conclusion that there has been an unauthorised use of the performance in, or in the course of, making available the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network; or

(iii) is furnished in the prescribed manner with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form relating to the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network —

(A) purportedly made by the performer of the performance or under the performer’s authority; and

(B) stating the prescribed matters,

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to remove or disable access to the electronic recording of the performance on the primary network; and

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a notice purportedly made by the performer of the performance or under the performer’s authority which is not a notice referred to in subsection (2)(b)(iii), or a notice under section 252CDB(1)(b), shall not be considered in determining

Copyright287 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

whether the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in subsection (2)(b)(i) or (ii).

[22/2005]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(4) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(b) are that —

(a) the network service provider does not receive any financial benefit directly attributable to any unauthorised use of the performance that occurs in, or in the course of, making available the electronic recording of the performance on the originating network, provided that the network service provider has the right and ability to control the unauthorised use of the performance;

(b) if the network service provider —

(i) acquires actual knowledge that there has been an unauthorised use of the performance in, or in the course of, making available the electronic recording of the performance on the originating network;

(A) purportedly made by the performer of the performance or under the performer’s authority; and

(B) stating the prescribed matters,

the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps to disable access to the electronic recording of the performance on the originating network, and to remove or disable access to any electronic recording

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

of the performance (being a copy made from the electronic recording of the performance on the originating network and of which the network service provider has actual knowledge) on the primary network; and

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), a notice purportedly made by the performer of the performance or under the performer’s authority which is not a notice referred to in subsection (4)(b)(iii), or a notice under section 252CDB(1)(b), shall not be considered in determining whether the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in subsection (4)(b)(i) or (ii).

[22/2005]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(6) For the purposes of subsections (2)(a) and (4)(a), in determining whether a financial benefit is directly attributable to the unauthorised use of the performance, the court shall have regard to —

(a) industry practice in relation to the charging of services by network service providers;

(b) whether the financial benefit was greater than the benefit that would usually result from charging in accordance with accepted industry practices; and

Exemption of network service provider from liability for removal of copy, etc., from network

252CA.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law (written or otherwise), a network service provider shall not be subject to any liability under any rule of law in respect of any action taken in good faith in relation to —

Copyright289 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the removal of an electronic recording of any performance from his primary network; or

(b) the disabling of access to an electronic recording of any performance on his primary network or another network,

if —

(i) such removal or disabling was done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 252B(2)(b) or 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or any knowledge referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii); and

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or any knowledge referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii), the conditions referred to in subsection (2) are satisfied.

[52/2004]

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(ii) are that —

(a) after such removal or disabling, the network service provider expeditiously takes reasonable steps —

(i) to notify the person who made available the electronic recording of the performance on the network of this; and

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii), to provide that person with a copy of that notice; and

(b) where the network service provider is furnished in the prescribed manner, within the prescribed time, with a notice in, or substantially in accordance with, the prescribed form purportedly made by the person who made available the electronic recording of the performance on the network, or under that person’s authority, stating the prescribed matters (referred to in this section as the counter notice) —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) —

(A) subject to any other written law relating to privacy or data protection, the network service provider expeditiously provides the person who furnished the notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) with a copy of the counter notice;

(B) the network service provider expeditiously notifies the person who furnished the notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) that the network service provider will take reasonable steps to restore the electronic recording of the performance to the network or to restore access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, unless, within 10 working days after the date of such notification —

(BA) court proceedings are commenced by the performer of the performance, or under the performer’s authority, to prevent that electronic recording or the access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, from being restored; and

(BB) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings; and

(C) the network service provider takes reasonable steps to restore the electronic recording of the performance to the network or to restore access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, not less than 10, nor more than 14, working days after the date of the notification referred

Copyright291 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

to in sub-paragraph (B), unless, within 10 working days after that date —

(CA) court proceedings are commenced by the performer of the performance, or under the performer’s authority, to prevent that electronic recording or the access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, from being restored; and

(CB) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings; or

(ii) in the case of any removal or disabling done in reliance on any knowledge referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii), the network service provider takes reasonable steps to restore the electronic recording of the performance to the network or to restore access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, if it is technically and practically feasible to do so, not less than 10, nor more than 14, working days after the date the network service provider is furnished with the counter notice, unless, within 10 working days after that date —

(A) court proceedings are commenced by the performer of the performance, or under the performer’s authority, to prevent that electronic recording or the access to that electronic recording, as the case may be, from being restored; and

(B) the network service provider is informed in writing of the court proceedings.

[22/2005]

(3) Subsection (1) shall apply whether or not it is ultimately determined that any relevant act that was carried out constitutes an unauthorised use of the performance under this Act.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) the restoration of an electronic recording of any performance to his primary network; or

(b) the restoration of access to an electronic recording of any performance on any network,

if such restoration was done in reliance on any counter notice referred to in subsection (2)(b).

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(5) A network service provider shall not be treated as having authorised the doing of any act which is an unauthorised use of a performance under this Act solely by reason of the occurrence of only one of the following matters:

(a) the network service provider has provided a facility which was used by another person to do that act;

(b) the network service provider has received any notice referred to in section 252C(2)(b) or 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or 252CDB(1)(b) in respect of that act;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(c) the network service provider has acquired any knowledge referred to in section 252C(2)(b)(i) or (ii) or (4)(b)(i) or (ii) in respect of that act.

[22/2005]

Relief which court may grant

252CB.—(1) The types of relief that the court may grant against a network service provider, if the court is satisfied that section 252A(1) applies to the network service provider, shall be limited to either or both of the following:

(a) an order requiring the network service provider to take reasonable steps to disable access to an online location that is physically situated outside Singapore;

Copyright293 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) an order requiring the network service provider to terminate a specified account.

[52/2004]

(2) The types of relief that the court may grant against a network service provider, if the court is satisfied that section 252B(1) or 252C(1) applies to the network service provider, shall be limited to one or more of the following:

(a) an order requiring the network service provider —

(i) to remove an unauthorised electronic recording of the performance from the network service provider’s primary network; or

(ii) to disable access to an unauthorised electronic recording of the performance on the primary network or another network;

(b) an order requiring the network service provider to terminate a specified account;

(c) such other order or orders as may be necessary, if that order is, or those orders are, the least burdensome to the network service provider among comparatively effective non- monetary orders.

[52/2004]

(3) When making an order under subsection (1) or (2) or section 252CDA(1), the court shall have regard to —

(a) the harm that has been or may foreseeably be caused to the plaintiff;

(b) the burden that the making of the order will place on the network service provider;

(d) the effectiveness of the order;

(e) any possible adverse effect on the business or operations of the network service provider;

(f) whether some other comparatively effective order would be less burdensome; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(g) all other matters which it considers relevant. [52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Evidence of compliance with conditions

252CC. If, in an action relating to this Part, a network service provider adduces evidence, as prescribed, that suggests that he has complied with a condition —

(a) referred to in section 252A(2), 252B(2) or 252C(2) or (4); or

(b) prescribed in any regulations made under section 252CE,

the court shall presume, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the network service provider has complied with that condition.

[52/2004]

Maker of false notice guilty of offence and liable in damages

252CD.—(1) A person who, in making a notice under section 252B(2)(b), 252C(2)(b)(iii) or (4)(b)(iii) or 252CA(2)(b), makes any statement which is false, which he knows is false or does not believe to be true, and which touches any point material to the object of the notice —

(a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years; and

[52/2004]

Copyright295 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Order to disable access to flagrantly infringing online location

252CDA.—(1) Where the High Court is satisfied, on an application made during the protection period of a performance by the performer of the performance against a network service provider, that —

(a) the services of the network service provider have been or are being used to access an online location, which is the subject of the application, to make or facilitate any unauthorised use of that performance; and

(b) the online location is a flagrantly infringing online location,

the High Court may, after having regard to the factors referred to in section 252CB(3), make an order requiring the network service provider to take reasonable steps to disable access to the flagrantly infringing online location.

(2) For the purpose of determining under subsection (1)(b) whether an online location has been or is being used to make or facilitate an unauthorised use of any performance, the High Court shall have regard to, and give such weight as the High Court considers appropriate to, all of the following matters:

(a) whether the primary purpose of the online location is to make or facilitate unauthorised use of performances;

(b) whether the online location makes available or contains directories, indexes or categories of the means to make or facilitate unauthorised use of performances;

(c) whether the owner or operator of the online location demonstrates a disregard for the authorised use of performances generally;

(d) whether access to the online location has been disabled by orders from any court of another country or territory on the ground of or related to the unauthorised use of performances;

(e) whether the online location contains guides or instructions to circumvent measures, or any order of any court, that

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

disables access to the online location on the ground of or related to the unauthorised use of performances;

(f) the volume of traffic at or frequency of access to the online location.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Application for order under section 252CDA

252CDB.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the performer of a performance, the protection period of which has not expired, must before applying for an order under section 252CDA(1) —

(a) send a notice to the owner of the online location that is intended to be the subject of the order (referred to in this section as the relevant online location owner) stating that the online location has been or is being used to make or facilitate an unauthorised use of the performance and the intention of the performer, to apply for that order if the relevant online location owner does not, within a prescribed period, cease the use of the online location to make or facilitate an unauthorised use of the performance; and

(2) Every application for an order under section 252CDA(1) must be served on the network service provider who is the defendant in the action under that section, and notice of the making of the application must be given to the relevant online location owner.

(3) At the hearing of an application for an order under section 252CDA(1), the High Court may dispense with the notice

Copyright297 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

required to be sent under subsection (1)(a) and the notice under subsection (2) if the High Court is satisfied that the plaintiff, despite reasonable efforts to do so, is unable to determine the identity or address of the relevant online location owner or to send the notices to the relevant online location owner.

(4) The relevant online location owner shall —

(a) have the right to be heard on an application for an order under section 252CDA(1); and

(b) have the same right of appeal as a party to the application. [Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Variation or revocation of order

252CDC.—(1) The High Court may, on the application of a party to an order made under section 252CDA(1), vary the order as the High Court thinks just if the High Court is satisfied that there has been a material change in the circumstances or that it is otherwise appropriate in the circumstances to do so.

(2) The High Court may, on the application of a party to an order made under section 252CDA(1), revoke the order if the High Court is satisfied —

(a) upon further evidence, that the order ought not to have been made;

(b) that the online location has ceased to be a flagrantly infringing online location; or

(3) In this section, a reference to a party to an order made under section 252CDA(1) includes a reference to the owner of the online location that is the subject of the order.

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Regulations

252CE.—(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing anything required or authorised to be prescribed under sections 252A to 252CDC.

[52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may —

(a) prescribe the procedure or requirements for the notices to be furnished under sections 252B(2)(b), 252B(2)(b)(iii) and (4)(b)(iii), 252CA(2)(b) and 252CDB(1)(a) and (b) and (2), including the forms of and information to be contained in such notices, the manner of sending such notices, and the manner of verification of statements in such notices;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(b) prescribe other conditions which a network service provider must comply with in order to benefit from the provisions in section 252A to 252CD; and

[52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

(c) prescribe the reasonable efforts required to be made by a performer of a performance for the purposes of section 252CDB(3).

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 10/12/2014]

Effect of application of sections 252A to 252CD

252CF.—(1) Sections 252A to 252CD do not limit the operation of the other provisions of this Part in relation to determining whether there has been an unauthorised use of a performance.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(2) Nothing in sections 252A to 252CD shall be construed as making the applicability of sections 252A, 252B, 252C and 252CB conditional on —

(a) a network service provider monitoring its service or affirmatively seeking facts indicating any unauthorised

Copyright299 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

use of any performance, except to the extent consistent with any standard technical measure; or

(b) a network service provider gaining access to, removing or disabling access to any electronic recording of any performance in any case in which such conduct is prohibited by law.

[22/2005]

(3) In subsection (2), “standard technical measure” means any technical measure accepted in Singapore that —

(a) is used to identify or protect recordings or performances;

(b) has been developed through an open, voluntary process by a broad consensus of performers and network service providers;

(d) does not impose substantial costs on network service providers or substantial burdens on their primary networks.

[22/2005]

User caching

252D. Notwithstanding section 252, the making of a transient and incidental electronic copy of a recording of a performance, being an electronic recording made available on a network, does not constitute an unauthorised use of the performance if the making of the copy is required for the viewing, listening or utilisation of the performance by the user of this or another network.

[38/99; 22/2005]

Action for unauthorised use

253.—(1) A performer may bring an action for an unauthorised use of his performance.

[6/98]

(1A) An action shall not be brought for an unauthorised use of a performance after the expiration of 6 years from the time when the unauthorised use took place.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in an action for unauthorised use of a performance, the types of relief that the court may grant include the following:

(a) an injunction (subject to such terms, if any, as the court thinks fit);

(b) damages;

(d) where the plaintiff has elected for an award of statutory damages in lieu of damages or an account of profits, statutory damages of —

(i) not more than $10,000 for each performance in respect of which there has been an unauthorised use; but

(ii) not more than $200,000 in the aggregate, unless the plaintiff proves that his actual loss from such infringement exceeds $200,000.

[52/2004]

(2A) When the court awards any damages under subsection (2)(b), the court may also make an order under subsection (2)(c) for an account of any profits attributable to the unauthorised use that have not been taken into account in computing the damages.

[52/2004]

(2B) Except as provided for in subsection (2A), the types of relief referred to in subsection (2)(b), (c) and (d) are mutually exclusive.

[52/2004]

(3) Where, in an action for an unauthorised use of a performance—

(a) the unauthorised use is established; and

(b) the court is satisfied that it is proper to do so, having regard to —

(i) the flagrancy of the use;

(ii) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the use; and

(iii) all other relevant matters,

Copyright301 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the court may, in assessing damages under subsection (2)(b), award such additional damages as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

[6/98; 52/2004]

(3A) In awarding statutory damages under subsection (2)(d), the court shall have regard to —

(a) the nature and purpose of the unauthorised use, including whether the unauthorised use was of a commercial nature or otherwise;

(b) the flagrancy of the unauthorised use;

(d) any loss that the plaintiff has suffered or is likely to suffer by reason of the unauthorised use;

(e) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the unauthorised use;

(f) the conduct of the parties before and during the proceedings;

(g) the need to deter other similar instances of unauthorised use; and

(h) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

(4) The court may, in addition to any relief granted under subsections (2) and (3), order any unauthorised recording of the performance, or any article which has been used for making unauthorised recordings of the performance, in the possession of the defendant or before the court to be delivered up to the performer.

[6/98; 38/99; 52/2004]

(5) No order shall be made under subsection (4) unless the court also makes, or it appears to the court that there are grounds for making, an order under section 254.

[6/98]

(6) A performer to whom an unauthorised recording or other object is delivered up pursuant to an order made under subsection (4) shall, if an order under section 254 is not made, retain the recording or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

object pending the making of an order, or the decision not to make an order, under that section.

[6/98]

Presumptions in relation to performance

253A.—(1) Where the name of a person appears on copies of a recording of a performance, as made available to the public, in such a way as to imply that the person is the performer of the performance, and that name is his true name or a name by which he is commonly known, the person shall, in an action brought by virtue of this Part, be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to be the performer of the performance embodied in the recording.

[52/2004]

(2) Where the name of a group of performers appears on copies of a recording of a performance, as made available to the public, in such a way as to imply that the group performed in the performance embodied in the recording, and that name is the true name of the group or a name by which the group is commonly known, the group shall, in an action brought by virtue of this Part, be presumed, unless the contrary is established, to have performed in the performance embodied in the recording.

[52/2004]

Order for disposal of unauthorised recordings or other object

254.—(1) An application may be made to the court for an order that an unauthorised recording or other object delivered up pursuant to an order made under section 253 shall be —

(a) forfeited to the performer; or

(b) destroyed or otherwise dealt with as the court thinks fit. [6/98]

(2) In considering what order, if any, should be made under this section, the court shall have regard to —

(a) whether other remedies available in an action for an unauthorised use of a performance would be adequate to compensate the performer and to protect the interests of that performer; and

Copyright303 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) the need to ensure that no unauthorised recording is disposed of in a manner that would adversely affect a performer.

[6/98]

(3) The court shall issue directions as to the service of notice on persons having an interest in the recording or other object.

[6/98]

(4) Any person having an interest in the recording or other object is entitled —

(a) to appear in proceedings for an order under this section, whether or not he is served with notice; and

(b) to appeal against any order made, whether or not he appears in the proceedings.

(5) An order made under this section shall not take effect until the end of the period within which notice of an appeal may be given or, if before the end of that period notice of appeal is duly given, until the final determination or abandonment of the proceedings on the appeal.

[6/98]

(6) Where there is more than one person interested in a recording or other object, the court may direct that the recording or object be sold, or otherwise dealt with, and the proceeds divided, and shall make any other order as it thinks just.

[6/98]

(7) If the court decides that no order should be made under this section, the person in whose possession the recording or other object was before being delivered up is entitled to its return and the court may order the defendant to pay to the performer such damages as the court thinks just or equitable.

[6/98]

Offences

254A.—(1) A person who, at any time on or after 15th December 1999 and during the protection period of a performance —

(a) makes for sale or hire;

(b) sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade offers or exposes for sale or hire; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

any recording which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be an unauthorised recording of the performance shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for the recording or for each recording in respect of which the offence was committed or $100,000, whichever is the lower, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

[38/99]

(2) A person who, at any time during the protection period of a performance, has in his possession, or imports into Singapore, any recording of a performance which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be an unauthorised recording of the performance, for the purpose of —

(a) selling, letting for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing for sale or hire, the recording;

(b) distributing the recording for the purposes of trade; or

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for the recording or for each recording in respect of which the offence was committed or $100,000, whichever is the lower, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

[38/99]

(3) Any person who, at any time during the protection period of a performance, distributes for the purposes of trade recordings which he knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be unauthorised recordings of the performance, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.

[38/99]

(3A) Where, at any time during the protection period of a performance —

(a) a person does any act that constitutes an unauthorised use of the performance other than an act referred to in subsection (1), (2), (3), (5) or (6);

Copyright305 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) the unauthorised use of the performance by the person is wilful; and

(i) the extent of the unauthorised use is significant;

(ii) the person does the act to obtain a commercial advantage,

[52/2004]

(4) A person who, at any time during the protection period of a performance, makes or has in his possession an article specifically designed or adapted for making recordings of the performance that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is to be used to make unauthorised recordings of the performance, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 for each such article in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[38/99]

(5) A person who, at any time during the protection period of a performance, for his private profit and without the authority of the performer causes the performance to be seen or heard, or seen and heard, live in public, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[38/99]

(6) A person who, at any time during the protection period of a performance, for his private profit and without the authority of the performer, causes a recording of the performance, being a recording which he knows or ought reasonably to know is an unauthorised recording, to be heard in public shall be guilty of an offence and shall

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[38/99]

(6A) For the purposes of subsection (3A)(c)(i), in determining whether the extent of the unauthorised use of a performance is significant, the court shall have regard to —

(a) the volume of any articles that are unauthorised recordings of the performance;

(b) the value of any articles that are unauthorised recordings of the performance;

(d) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

[52/2004]

(7) For the purposes of this section (other than subsection (3A)), any person who has in his possession 5 or more unauthorised recordings of a performance shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed —

(a) to be in possession of such recordings otherwise than for private and domestic use; or

(b) to be in possession of such recordings for the purpose of sale.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(8) The court before which a person is charged with an offence under this section may, whether he is convicted of the offence or not, order that any article that appears to the court to be an unauthorised recording of a performance or any article which has been used for making unauthorised recordings of a performance, in the possession of the alleged offender or before the court, be destroyed or delivered

Copyright307 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

up to the performer concerned or otherwise dealt with in such manner as the court thinks fit.

[38/99; 52/2004]

(9) If information is given upon oath to a court that there is reasonable cause for suspecting that there is in any premises any article or document which is evidence that an offence under subsection (1), (2), (3), (3A), (4), (5) or (6) has been committed, the court may issue, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit, a warrant authorising a police officer to enter and search the premises for the articles and documents which are specified in the warrant, whether specifically or in any general category, and to seize any such articles and documents found at the premises.

[52/2004]

(10) If an article was seized under subsection (9) and —

(a) in proceedings brought under this section in connection with the offence, no order is made under subsection (8) as to the article; or

(b) no such proceedings are instituted within 6 months of the seizure,

[38/99]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(12) For the purposes of this section —

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

“premises” includes any land, building, structure and conveyance.

[38/99]

Application of sections 140A to 141

254B.—(1) Sections 140A to 141 shall apply, with the necessary modifications, to copies of an unauthorised recording of a performance as those provisions apply in relation to copies of copyright material.

[52/2004]

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) —

(a) a reference in those provisions to copyright material shall be read as a reference to an unauthorised recording of a performance the protection period of which has not expired;

(b) a reference in those provisions to the owner of the copyright or the owner of the copyright in the copyright material shall be read as a reference to the performer of a performance embodied in an unauthorised recording;

(c) a reference in those provisions to an action for infringement of copyright shall be read as a reference to an action for unauthorised use of a performance;

(d) a reference in those provisions to infringing copies shall be read as a reference to copies of an unauthorised recording which were made without the authorisation of the performer; and

(e) a reference in section 140B(6) to the subsequent owner of the copyright shall be read as a reference to a person to whom the right of a performer to bring an action under section 253 has been assigned.

[52/2004]

Copyright309 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Rights to bring an action may be assigned

255. The right of a performer to bring an action may be assigned. [6/98; 38/99]

Application to foreign countries

256.—(1) The Minister may make regulations applying any of the provisions of this Part specified in the regulations, in relation to a country so specified, in any one or more of the following ways, so as to secure that those provisions —

(a) apply in relation to performances given in that country as they apply in relation to performances given in Singapore;

(b) apply in relation to persons who are citizens or nationals of that country as they apply in relation to persons who are citizens of Singapore;

(c) apply in relation to persons who are resident in that country as they apply in relation to persons who are resident in Singapore.

[6/98]

(2) Regulations made under subsection (1) may apply the provisions of this Part —

(a) without exception or modification or subject to such exceptions or modifications as may be specified in the regulations; and

(b) either generally or in relation to such classes of performances, or other classes of cases, as may be specified in the regulations.

[6/98]

(3) The Minister shall not make regulations applying any of the provisions of this Part in the case of a country, other than a country which is a party to a Convention relating to the protection of performers to which Singapore is also a party, unless the Minister is satisfied that, in respect of the performances to which those provisions relate, provision has been or will be made under the law of that country whereby adequate protection is or will be given to performers whose performances are protected under this Part.

[6/98]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Denial of protection to citizens of countries not giving adequate protection to Singapore performances

257.—(1) If it appears to the Minister that the law of a country does not give adequate protection to performances given in that country by a citizen of Singapore or a person resident in Singapore (whether the lack of protection relates to the nature of the performance or the nationality, citizenship or country of residence of its performer, or all of those matters), the Minister may, having regard to the nature and extent of the lack of protection involved, make regulations in relation to that country in accordance with subsection (2).

[6/98]

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of this section may provide, either generally or in such cases as are specified in the regulations, that this Part shall not apply to performances given after a date specified in the regulations (which may be a date before 16th April 1998) if, at the time the performances were or are given, the performers were or are citizens or nationals of a country specified in the regulations, other than persons resident in Singapore.

[6/98]

PART XIII

RIGHTS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Interpretation of this Part

258. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —

“performance”, “recording” and “unauthorised use” have the same meanings as in Part XII;

“rights management information”, in relation to a copy of a work or other subject-matter or a recording of a performance, means any of the following:

(a) information which identifies the work, subject-matter or performance;

(b) information which identifies the author of the work, the owner of copyright in a work or subject-matter or the performer of a performance;

Copyright311 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) information about the terms and conditions of use of the copy of the work or subject-matter or the recording of the performance;

(d) any numbers or codes that represent the information referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

but excludes any information relating to a user of the copy of the work or subject-matter or the recording of the performance, such as the name, account, address or other contact information of, or pertaining to, the user.

[52/2004]

Application of this Part

259.—(1) This Part shall not apply to any act done for the service of the Government.

[38/99]

(2) Nothing in this Part shall affect —

(a) any copyright subsisting in a work or other subject-matter;

(b) any right in relation to a performance or a recording thereof;

(c) any limitation on copyright in a work or other subject- matter, or on a right in relation to a performance or a recording thereof; or

(d) any defence to an action for infringement of copyright, or for an unauthorised use of a performance,

under any provision of this Act. [38/99]

Removal or alteration of rights management information

260.—(1) This section shall apply where rights management information in an electronic form —

(a) is attached to or embodied in a copy of a work or other subject-matter in which copyright subsists or a recording of a performance; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) appears in connection with the communication or making available to the public of a copy of a work or other subject- matter or a recording of a performance.

[52/2004]

(2) Where a person —

(a) knowingly removes or alters the rights management information relating to any work or other subject-matter or recording of a performance;

(b) does so without the consent of —

(i) the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright in the work or subject-matter; or

(ii) the performer of the performance; and

(c) knows or ought reasonably to know that the removal or alteration of the rights management information will induce, enable, facilitate or conceal —

(i) an infringement of the copyright of the work or subject-matter; or

(ii) an unauthorised use of the performance,

an action may be brought by the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer against the person.

[52/2004]

(3) Where a person —

(a) distributes or imports for distribution the rights management information relating to any work or other subject-matter or any recording of a performance, being rights management information which has been altered without the consent of —

(i) the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright in the work or subject-matter; or

(ii) the performer of the performance;

(b) does so without the consent of the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer;

Copyright313 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(c) does so knowing that the rights management information has been altered without the consent of the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer; and

(d) knows or ought reasonably to know that the distribution or importation of the rights management information will induce, enable, facilitate or conceal —

(i) an infringement of the copyright in the work or subject-matter; or

(ii) an unauthorised use of the performance,

to which the rights management information relates,

an action may be brought by the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer against the person.

[52/2004]

(4) Where a person —

(a) distributes, imports for distribution, communicates or makes available to the public copies of a work or other subject-matter or a recording of a performance in respect of which the rights management information has been removed or altered without the consent of —

(i) the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright in the work or subject matter; or

(ii) the performer of the performance;

(b) does so without the consent of the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer;

(c) does so knowing that the rights management information has been removed or altered without the consent of the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer; and

(d) knows or ought reasonably to know that the distribution, importation, communication or making available to the public of the copies of the work or subject-matter or the recording of the performance will induce, enable, facilitate or conceal —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(i) an infringement of the copyright in the work or subject-matter; or

(ii) an unauthorised use of a performance,

an action may be brought by the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright or the performer against the person.

[52/2004]

(5) An action shall not be brought in respect of any act referred to in subsection (2), (3) or (4) after the expiration of 6 years from the time when the act took place.

[52/2004]

(6) Subject to subsection (7), where a person does an act referred to in subsection (2), (3) or (4) —

(a) wilfully; and

(b) for the purpose of obtaining any commercial advantage or private financial gain,

he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —

(i) in the case of an act referred to in subsection (2), to a fine not exceeding $20,000; or

(ii) in the case of an act referred to in subsection (3) or (4), to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(7) Subsection (6) shall not apply to any act done by or on behalf of a non-profit library, any non-profit archives, an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities, an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers, or such public, non-commercial broadcasting organisation as the Minister may prescribe.

[52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(8) For the purposes of subsection (6), a person does an act for the purpose of obtaining a commercial advantage if the act is done to obtain a direct advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business or trade carried on by him.

[52/2004]

Copyright315 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Relief which court may grant

261.—(1) In an action brought under section 260, the types of relief that the court may grant if it is satisfied that the defendant has carried out or is carrying out an act referred to in section 260(2), (3) or (4) (referred to in this section as a relevant act) include the following:

(a) an injunction (subject to such terms, if any, as the court thinks fit);

(b) damages;

(d) where the plaintiff has elected for an award of statutory damages in lieu of damages or an account of profits, statutory damages of not more than $20,000.

[52/2004]

(2) When the court awards any damages under subsection (1)(b) in respect of a relevant act, the court may also make an order under subsection (1)(c) for an account of any profits attributable to the relevant act that have not been taken into account in computing the damages.

[52/2004]

(3) Except as provided for in subsection (2), the types of relief referred to in subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) are mutually exclusive.

[52/2004]

(4) In awarding statutory damages under subsection (1)(d) in respect of any relevant act, the court shall have regard to —

(a) the nature or purpose of the act concerned, including whether the act was of a commercial nature or otherwise;

(b) the flagrancy of the act;

(d) any loss that the plaintiff has suffered or is likely to suffer by reason of the act;

(e) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the act;

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(f) the conduct of the parties before and during the proceedings;

(g) the need to deter other similar acts; and

(h) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

(5) In addition to the relief referred to in subsection (1), the court may order that any article —

(a) by means of which, or in relation to which, a relevant act was or is being carried out; and

(b) which is in the possession of the defendant or before the court,

be delivered up to the plaintiff or destroyed. [52/2004]

Enforcement measures

261A.—(1) The court before which a person is charged with an offence under section 260(6) may, whether he is convicted of the offence or not, order that any article that appears to the court to be—

(a) a copy of a work or other subject-matter or a recording of a performance in respect of which the rights management information has been altered or removed without the consent of the owner or exclusive licensee of the work or other subject-matter or the performer of the performance, as the case may be; or

(b) used predominantly for removing or altering the rights management information in respect of any work or other subject-matter or any recording of a performance,

in the possession of the alleged offender or before the court, be destroyed or delivered up to the owner or exclusive licensee of the copyright concerned or the performer of the performance, as the case may be, or otherwise dealt with in such manner as the court thinks fit.

[52/2004]

(2) If information is given upon oath to a court that there is reasonable cause for suspecting that there is in any premises any article or document which is evidence that an offence under

Copyright317 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

section 260(6) has been committed, the court may issue, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit, a warrant authorising a police officer to enter and search the premises for the articles and documents which are specified in the warrant, whether specifically or in any general category, and to seize any such articles and documents found at the premises.

[52/2004]

(3) If an article was seized under subsection (2) and —

(a) in proceedings brought under section 260(6), no order is made as to the disposal of the article, whether under subsection (1) or otherwise; or

(b) no such proceedings are instituted within 6 months of the seizure,

[52/2004]

(4) If a document was seized under subsection (2) and no proceedings under section 260(6) are instituted within 6 months of the seizure, the document and all copies of the document shall be returned to the person in whose possession the document was when it was seized or, if it is not reasonably practicable to return the document and copies to that person, shall be disposed of in accordance with the law regulating the disposal of lost or unclaimed property in the hands of police authorities.

[52/2004]

(5) In this section —

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

“premises” includes any land, building, structure and conveyance.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

PART XIIIA

CIRCUMVENTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES

Interpretation and effect of application of this Part

261B.—(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —

“circumvent” means to avoid, bypass, remove, deactivate, descramble (where the copy is scrambled), decrypt (where the copy is encrypted) or otherwise impair;

“copy”, in relation to any work or other subject-matter or any performance, means a copy of the work or subject-matter or of a recording of the performance, and includes the original version of the work or subject-matter or a recording of the performance;

“encryption technology” means technology for scrambling and descrambling information using mathematical formulae or algorithms;

“non-profit” means not operated or conducted for profit;

“performance”, “protection period”, “recording” and “unauthorised use” have the same meanings as in Part XII;

“personally identifying information” means information which can be used to identify persons using a network;

“technological access control measure” means any technology, device or component that, in the normal course of its operation, effectively controls access to a copy of —

(a) a work or other subject-matter; or

(b) a performance,

but excludes such technology, device or component as the Minister may prescribe;

“technological measure” means a technological access control measure or a technological protection measure;

“technological protection measure” means any technology, device or component that, in the normal course of its operation, effectively prevents or limits the doing of —

Copyright319 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) in relation to a copy of a work or other subject-matter, any act comprised in the copyright in the work or subject-matter; or

(b) in relation to a copy of a performance, an unauthorised use of the performance,

but excludes such technology, device or component as the Minister may prescribe.

[52/2004]

(2) Nothing in this Part shall affect any act done in relation to a work or other subject-matter in which copyright no longer subsists, or in relation to a performance the protection period of which has expired.

[52/2004]

(3) Nothing in this Part shall affect —

(a) any copyright subsisting in a work or other subject-matter;

(b) any right in relation to a performance or a recording thereof;

(c) any limitation on copyright in a work or other subject- matter, or on a right in relation to a performance or a recording thereof; or

(d) any defence to an action for infringement of copyright, or for an unauthorised use of a performance,

under any provision of this Act. [52/2004]

Circumvention of technological measures

261C.—(1) Subject to sections 261D and 261E, where a technological measure is applied to a copy of a work or other subject-matter by or with the authorisation of the owner of the copyright in the work or subject-matter in connection with the exercise of the copyright, or to a copy of a performance by or with the authorisation of the performer of the performance in connection with the exercise of any right in the performance, no person shall, without the authorisation of the owner of the copyright or the performer of the performance, as the case may be —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) if the technological measure is a technological access control measure, do any act which he knows or ought reasonably to know circumvents the technological measure;

(b) manufacture, import, distribute, offer to the public, provide or otherwise traffic in any device, product or component which —

(i) is promoted, advertised or marketed for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(ii) has only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent the technological measure; or

(iii) is designed or made primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(i) is promoted, advertised or marketed for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(ii) has only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent the technological measure; or

(iii) is performed primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure.

[52/2004]

(2) An action may be brought by the owner of the copyright or the performer of the performance against a person who contravenes subsection (1).

[52/2004]

(3) An action shall not be brought under subsection (2) in respect of any contravention of subsection (1) after the expiration of 6 years from the time when the contravention took place.

[52/2004]

(4) Where a person contravenes subsection (1)(a) wilfully and for the purpose of obtaining a commercial advantage or private financial

Copyright321 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

gain, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(5) Where a person contravenes subsection (1)(b) or (c) wilfully and for the purpose of obtaining a commercial advantage or private financial gain, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

[52/2004; 22/2005]

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), a person shall not be treated as having contravened subsection (1)(b) wilfully unless —

(a) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in subsection (1)(b)(i), he had himself —

(i) promoted, advertised or marketed it; or

(ii) authorised the promotion, advertising or marketing of it,

for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(b) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in subsection (1)(b)(ii), he knew or had reason to believe at the time of the contravention that it had only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent the technological measure; or

(c) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in subsection (1)(b)(iii), he knew or had reason to believe at the time of the contravention that it was designed or made primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure.

[52/2004]

(7) For the purposes of subsection (5), a person shall not be treated as having contravened subsection (1)(c) wilfully unless —

(a) in the case of a service referred to in subsection (1)(c)(i), he had himself —

(i) promoted, advertised or marketed it; or

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(ii) authorised the promotion, advertising or marketing of it,

for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(b) in the case of a service referred to in subsection (1)(c)(ii), he knew or had reason to believe at the time of the contravention that it had only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent the technological measure; or

(i) performed it; or

(ii) authorised the performance of it,

primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure.

[52/2004]

(8) For the purposes of subsections (4) and (5), a person does an act for the purpose of obtaining a commercial advantage if the act is done to obtain a direct advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business or trade carried on by him.

[52/2004]

(9) Subsections (4) and (5) shall not apply to any act done by or on behalf of a non-profit library, any non-profit archives, an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities, an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers, or such public, non-commercial broadcasting organisation as the Minister may prescribe.

[52/2004]

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(10) This section does not affect the import or sale of a device that does not render effective a technological measure whose sole purpose is to control market segmentation for access to cinematograph films, if the import or sale of the device does not otherwise contravene any written law including this Act.

[52/2004]

Copyright323 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Exceptions to prohibition on circumvention

261D.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), section 261C(1)(a) is not contravened by the doing of an act to circumvent a technological measure if —

(a) the act is done to enable a non-profit library, any non-profit archives, an educational institution, an institution assisting persons with reading disabilities, or an institution assisting intellectually handicapped readers to have access to a work or other subject-matter or recording of a performance which is not otherwise available to the library, archives or institution, for the sole purpose of determining whether to acquire a copy of the work or other subject-matter or recording;

[Act 22 of 2014 wef 31/03/2015]

(b) the technological measure has the capability to collect or disseminate personally identifying information to reflect the manner of use of a network by persons without providing conspicuous notice of such collection or dissemination to those persons, and the act is done for the sole purpose of identifying and disabling the technological measure, provided that the act does not affect the ability of any person to gain access to any work or other subject-matter or recording of any performance;

(c) the act is done in relation to a work or other subject-matter or performance that is prescribed by the Minister under subsection (2) —

(i) by a person prescribed under subsection (2A) or (if none is prescribed) by any person; and

(ii) for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2A) or (if none is prescribed) for any purpose;

[30/2008 wef 17/12/2008]

(d) the act is done —

(i) in good faith;

(ii) in relation to a copy of a computer program that is not an infringing copy; and

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(iii) with respect to particular elements of the computer program that are not readily available to the person doing the act,

for the sole purpose of achieving interoperability of an independently created computer program with another computer program;

(e) the act is done when undertaking research on any encryption technology, provided that —

(i) the person doing the act —

(A) is engaged in a legitimate course of study in the field of encryption technology;

(B) is employed or appropriately trained or experienced in that field; or

(ii) the act is necessary to conduct such research;

(iii) the act is done in good faith and in relation to a copy of the work or subject-matter that is not an infringing copy thereof or a copy of the performance that is not an unauthorised recording thereof; and

(iv) the person doing the act has made a reasonable effort to obtain the authorisation of the owner of the copyright in the work or subject-matter or the performer of the performance to do the act;

(f) the act consists of the inclusion of a component or part in any technology, product or device for the sole purpose of preventing access by minors to any material on the Internet, provided that the technology, product or device is not prohibited under section 261C(1)(b);

(g) the act is done by or under the authority of the owner of a computer, computer system or computer network for the sole purpose of testing, investigating, or correcting a security flaw or vulnerability of that computer, computer system or computer network; or

Copyright325 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(h) the act is carried out by the Government or by any person authorised by the Government for the purpose of law enforcement, intelligence, national defence, essential security or other similar purpose.

[52/2004]

(2) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, exclude the operation of section 261C(1)(a) in relation to a specified work or other subject-matter or performance, or a specified class of works or other subject-matters or performances, if he is satisfied that any dealing with the work, subject-matter or performance or with the class of works, subject-matters or performances, being a dealing which does not amount to an infringement of copyright therein or an unauthorised use thereof (as the case may be), has been or is likely to be adversely impaired or affected as a result of the operation of this section.

[52/2004]

[30/2008 wef 17/12/2008]

(2A) The order referred to in subsection (2) may specify —

(a) the person or class of persons who may carry out the act of circumvention of a technological measure in relation to the work, subject-matter or performance or the class of works, subject-matters or performances; and

(b) the purpose of carrying out the act. [30/2008 wef 17/12/2008]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply if —

(a) in the case of an act referred to in paragraph (b), (e) or (g) of that subsection, the act violates a provision of any written law other than this Act;

(b) in the case of an act referred to in paragraph (c), (d), (e) or (g) of that subsection, the act infringes the copyright in the work or other subject-matter or amounts to an unauthorised use of the performance; or

(c) in the case of an act referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection, the act leads to an infringement of the copyright in the work or other subject-matter or to an

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

unauthorised use of the performance, or otherwise violates a provision of any other written law.

[52/2004]

Exceptions to prohibition on making, etc., circumventing device and offering circumventing service

261E.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), section 261C(1)(b) and (c) is not contravened by the doing of any of the following:

(a) the manufacture, importation, distribution, offering to the public or provision of a device, product or component, or the offering to the public or provision of a service, to carry out an act to circumvent a technological measure that is done —

(i) in good faith;

(ii) in relation to a copy of a computer program that is not an infringing copy; and

(iii) with respect to particular elements of the computer program that are not readily available to the person doing the act,

for the sole purpose of achieving interoperability of an independently created computer program with another computer program;

(b) the manufacture, importation, distribution, offering to the public or provision of a device, product or component, or the offering to the public or provision of a service, to carry out an act to circumvent a technological measure referred to in section 261D(1)(e);

(c) the manufacture, importation, distribution, offering to the public or provision of a component or part referred to in section 261D(1)(f);

(d) the manufacture, importation, distribution, offering to the public or provision of a device, product or component, or the offering to the public or provision of a service, to carry out an act to circumvent a technological measure referred to in section 261D(1)(g);

Copyright327 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(e) an act carried out by the Government or by any person authorised by the Government for the purpose of law enforcement, intelligence, national defence, essential security or other similar purpose.

[52/2004]

(2) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of subsection (1) apply only if the technological measure is a technological access control measure.

[52/2004]

(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply if —

(a) in the case of an act referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection, the circumvention referred to in that paragraph infringes the copyright in the work or other subject-matter or amounts to an unauthorised use of the performance; or

(b) in the case of an act referred to in paragraph (b) or (d) of that subsection, the circumvention referred to in that paragraph infringes the copyright in the work or other subject-matter or amounts to an unauthorised use of the performance, or otherwise violates a provision of any other written law.

[52/2004]

Relief which court may grant

261F.—(1) In an action brought under section 261C(2), the types of relief that the court may grant, if it is satisfied that the defendant has contravened section 261C(1), include —

(a) an injunction (subject to such terms, if any, as the court thinks fit); and

(b) either of the following:

(i) damages;

(ii) where the plaintiff has elected for an award of statutory damages in lieu of damages, statutory damages of not more than $20,000.

[52/2004]

(2) In addition to the relief referred to in subsection (1), the court may order that any article —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(a) by means of which, or in relation to which, the act giving rise to the contravention of subsection 261C(1) was or is being carried out; and

(b) which is in the possession of the defendant or before the court,

be delivered up to the plaintiff or destroyed. [52/2004]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i), damages include any profits that are attributable to the act giving rise to the contravention of subsection 261C(1).

[52/2004]

(4) In awarding statutory damages under subsection (1)(b)(ii), the court shall have regard to —

(a) the nature or purpose of the act concerned, including whether the act was of a commercial nature or otherwise;

(b) the flagrancy of the act;

(d) any loss that the plaintiff has suffered or is likely to suffer by reason of the act;

(e) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the act;

(f) the conduct of the parties before or during the proceedings;

(g) the need to deter other similar acts; and

(h) all other relevant matters. [52/2004]

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where, in an action for a contravention of section 261C(1)(b), such contravention is established but it is also established that —

(a) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in section 261C(1)(b)(i), the defendant did not himself promote, advertise or market it, or authorise the promotion, advertising or marketing of it, for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

Copyright329 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

(b) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in section 261C(1)(b)(ii), at the time of the contravention, the defendant was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for suspecting, that it had only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than circumventing the technological measure; or

(c) in the case of a device, product or component referred to in section 261C(1)(b)(iii), at the time of the contravention, the defendant was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for suspecting, that it was designed or made primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure,

the plaintiff shall not be entitled, as against the defendant, to any damages or statutory damages for the contravention.

[52/2004]

(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where, in an action for a contravention of section 261C(1)(c), such contravention is established but it is also established that —

(a) in the case of a service referred to in section 261C(1)(c)(i), the defendant did not himself promote, advertise or market it, or authorise the promotion, advertising or marketing of it, for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure;

(b) in the case of a service referred to in section 261C(1)(c)(ii), at the time of the contravention, the defendant was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds for suspecting, that it had only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent the technological measure; or

(c) in the case of a service referred to in section 261C(1)(c)(iii), the defendant did not himself perform it, or authorise the performance of it, primarily for the purpose of circumventing the technological measure,

the plaintiff shall not be entitled to any damages or statutory damages against the defendant for the contravention.

[52/2004]

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Enforcement measures

261G.—(1) The court before which a person is charged with an offence under section 261C(4) or (5) may, whether he is convicted of the offence or not, order that any article that appears to the court to be used predominantly for circumventing a technological measure used in connection with —

(a) the exercise of the copyright in a work or other subject- matter by the owner of the copyright; or

(b) any right in a performance by the performer of the performance,

[52/2004]

(2) If information is given upon oath to a court that there is reasonable cause for suspecting that there is in any premises any article or document which is evidence that an offence under section 261C(4) or (5) has been committed, the court may issue, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit, a warrant authorising a police officer to enter and search the premises for the articles and documents which are specified in the warrant, whether specifically or in any general category, and to seize any such articles and documents found at the premises.

[52/2004]

(3) If an article was seized under subsection (2) and —

(a) in proceedings brought under section 261C(4) or (5), no order is made as to the disposal of the article, whether under subsection (1) or otherwise; or

(b) no such proceedings are instituted within 6 months of the seizure,

Copyright331 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

the disposal of lost or unclaimed property in the hands of police authorities.

[52/2004]

(4) If a document was seized under subsection (2) and no proceedings under section 261C(4) or (5) are instituted within 6 months of the seizure, the document and all copies of the document shall be returned to the person in whose possession the document was when it was seized or, if it is not reasonably practicable to return the document and copies to that person, shall be disposed of in accordance with the law regulating the disposal of lost or unclaimed property in the hands of police authorities.

[52/2004]

(5) In this section —

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

“premises” includes any land, building, structure and conveyance.

[52/2004]

PART XIV

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS UNDER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) ACT 2004

Interpretation of this Part

262. In this Part —

“appointed day” means 1st July 2004*;

“performance” has the same meaning as in section 246. [21/2004]

Works published before appointed day

263.—(1) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of Part III in any work first published before the appointed day unless copyright

*Date of commencement of section 2(a), (b), (g) and (h) of the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2004 (Act 21 of 2004).

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

subsisted in that work immediately before that day under that Part in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

(2) Section 212 shall not apply in relation to any photograph first taken before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in that photograph immediately before the appointed day under Part III and that section in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

Other subject-matter published before appointed day

264.—(1) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of Part IV in any sound recording or cinematograph film first published before the appointed day unless copyright subsisted in such recording or film immediately before that day under that Part in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

(2) Section 219(4) shall not apply in relation to any sound recording made before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in that recording immediately before the appointed day under sections 87(1) or (3) and 219(4) in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

Works and other subject matter published by international organisations before appointed day

265. Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 185 in any work, sound recording or cinematograph film first published before the appointed day unless copyright subsisted in such work, recording or film immediately before that day under that section in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

Works and other subject matter published by Government before appointed day

266.—(1) Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 197 in any literary, dramatic or musical work, sound recording or cinematograph film first published or any artistic work made before the appointed day unless copyright in such

Copyright333 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

work, recording or film subsisted immediately before that day under that section in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

(2) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 197 in any photograph taken before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in that photograph immediately before that day under that section, as modified by section 231, in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

(3) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 197 in any sound recording made before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in that recording immediately before the appointed day under that section, as modified by section 232, in force immediately before that day.

[21/2004]

(4) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of section 197 in any cinematograph film made before 10th April 1987 unless copyright subsisted in that film immediately before the appointed day under that section in force immediately before that day in accordance with section 233.

[21/2004]

Performances given before appointed day

267. Part XII shall not apply to a performance given before the appointed day unless the period beginning on the day when the performance was given and ending on the appointed day is less than the protection period as defined in section 246(1) in force immediately before the appointed day.

[21/2004]

PART XV

Interpretation of this Part

268. In this Part —

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

“appointed day” means 1st January 2005*;

“performance” has the same meaning as in section 246(1). [52/2004]

Assignments and licences before appointed day

269. Where any licence has been granted, or any contract or arrangement (including any assignment of copyright) has been entered into, before the appointed day, being a licence, contract or arrangement relating to —

(a) the broadcast of a work or other subject-matter; or

(b) the inclusion of a work or other subject-matter in a cable programme,

the licence, contract or arrangement shall, subject to any contrary intention, continue to have effect on or after that day in accordance with the provisions of this Act in force immediately before that day, as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

[52/2004]

Action for infringement which took place before appointed day

270. Section 119, as it was in force immediately before the appointed day, shall apply to an action brought in respect of any infringement of copyright which took place before that day as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

[52/2004]

Action for unauthorised use before appointed day

271. Section 253, as it was in force immediately before the appointed day, shall apply to an action brought in respect of any unauthorised use of a performance which took place before that day as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

[52/2004]

Action relating to rights management information

272. Section 261 shall only apply to an action brought in respect of any act referred to in section 260(2), (3) or (4) which is carried out on

Copyright335 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

or after the appointed day, and section 261, as it was in force immediately before that day, shall continue to apply to an action brought in respect of any act referred to in section 260 as it was in force immediately before that day which is carried out before that day as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

[52/2004]

THE SCHEDULE Section 74(1A)

FALSE REGISTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS

1. The provisions of this Schedule shall have effect where —

(a) copyright subsists in an artistic work, and proceedings are brought under this Act relating to that work;

(b) a corresponding design has been registered or is deemed registered under the Registered Designs Act (Cap. 266), and the copyright in the design subsisting by virtue of that registration has not expired by effluxion of time before the commencement of those proceedings; and

(c) it is proved or admitted in the proceedings that the person who is the registered owner of the design was not the owner thereof for the purposes of that Act and was registered as the owner under that Act or as the proprietor under the Registered Designs Act 1949 of the United Kingdom (as the case may be) without the knowledge of the owner of the copyright in the artistic work.

2. For the purposes of those proceedings (but subject to paragraph 3) the registration under the Registered Designs Act or the Registered Designs Act 1949 of the United Kingdom (U.K. 1949, c.88) (as the case may be) shall be treated as never having been effected, and accordingly, in relation to that registration, section 74(1) of this Act shall not apply, and nothing in any written law relating to industrial designs shall be construed as affording any defence in those proceedings.

3. Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 2, if in the proceedings it is proved or admitted that any act to which the proceedings relate —

(a) was done in pursuance of an assignment or licence made or granted by the registered owner of the design; and

(b) was so done in good faith in reliance upon the registration, and without notice of any proceedings for the cancellation or revocation of the registration (as the case may be) or for rectifying the entry in the relevant register of designs relating thereto,

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

THE SCHEDULE — continued

section 74(1) of this Act shall apply in relation to that act for the purposes of the first-mentioned proceedings.

[25/2000] [Aust. 1968, s. 76]

Copyright337 CAP. 63 2006 Ed.

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

LEGISLATIVE SOURCE KEY

Notes:—Unless otherwise stated, the abbreviations used in the references to other Acts and statutory provisions are references to the following Acts and statutory provisions. The references are provided for convenience and are not part of the Act:

Aust. 1968 : Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth, No. 63 of 1968, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 45 of 2005)

Aust. Am. 1986 : Australian Copyright Amendment Act 1986 (Commonwealth, No. 78 of 1986)

Aust. Am. 1984 : Australian Copyright Amendment Act 1984 (Commonwealth, No. 43 of 1984)

Aust. 1968-1973 : Australian Copyright Act 1968-1973 (Commonwealth, No. 63 of 1968, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 216 of 1973)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

This Legislative History is provided for the convenience of users of the Copyright Act. It is not part of the Act.

1. Act 2 of 1987 — Copyright Act 1987

Date of First Reading : 25 March 1986 (Bill No. 8/86 published on 4 April 1986)

Date of Second Reading : 5 May 1986

Date Committed to Select Committee : 5 May 1986

Date of Presentation of Select Committee Report

: 22 December 1986 (Parl. 9 of 1986)

Date of Third Reading : 26 January 1987

Date of commencement : 10 April 1987

2. 1988 Revised Edition — Copyright Act (Chapter 63)

Date of operation : 30 April 1988

3. Act 14 of 1994 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 1994

Date of First Reading : 25 July 1994 (Bill No. 15/94 published on 29 July 1994)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 25 August 1994

Date of commencement : 1 October 1994

4. Act 15 of 1994 — Singapore Broadcasting Authority Act 1994 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 25 July 1994 (Bill No. 20/94 published on 29 July 1994)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 26 August 1994

Date of commencement : 1 October 1994

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

5. Act 24 of 1995 — Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 25 May 1995 (Bill No. 19/95 published on 26 May 1995)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 7 July 1995

Date of commencement : 1 December 1995

6. Act 6 of 1998 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 1998

Date of First Reading : 14 January 1998 (Bill No. 4/98 published on 15 January 1998)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 19 February 1998

Date of commencement : 16 April 1998

7. Act 38 of 1999 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 1999

Date of First Reading : 3 August 1999 (Bill No. 27/99 published on 4 August 1999)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 17 August 1999

Date of commencement : 16 April 1998 (section 25)

8. Act 3 of 1999 — Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Act 1999 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 23 November 1998 (Bill No. 49/98 published on 24 November 1998)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 20 January 1999

Date of commencement : 15 February 1999

9. Act 38 of 1999 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 1999

Date of First Reading : 3 August 1999 (Bill No. 27/99 published on 4 August 1999)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 17 August 1999

Date of commencement : 15 December 1999 (except section 25)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

10. 1999 Revised Edition — Copyright Act (Chapter 63)

Date of operation : 30 December 1999

11. Act 25 of 2000 — Registered Designs Act 2000 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 30 June 2000 (Bill No. 19/2000 published on 1 July 2000)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 25 August 2000

Date of commencement : 13 November 2000

12. Act 3 of 2001 — Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Act 2001 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 12 January 2001 (Bill No. 1/2001 published on 13 January 2001)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 22 February 2001

Date of commencement : 1 April 2001

13. Act 34 of 2002 — Media Development Authority of Singapore Act 2002 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 1 October 2002 (Bill No. 37/2002 published on 1 November 2002)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 31 October 2002

Date of commencement : 1 January 2003

14. Act 4 of 2003 — Customs (Amendment) Act 2003 (Consequential amendments made to Act by)

Date of First Reading : 10 March 2003 (Bill No. 6/2003 published on 11 March 2003)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 21 March 2003

Date of commencement : 1 April 2003

15. Act 21 of 2004— Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2004

Date of First Reading : 19 May 2004 (Bill No. 20/2004 published on 20 May 2004)

iii

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Date of Second and Third Readings : 15 June 2004

Date of commencement : 1 July 2004

16. Act 52 of 2004 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 2004

Date of First Reading : 19 October 2004 (Bill No. 48/2004 published on 20 October 2004)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 16 November 2004

Date of commencement : 1 January 2005

17. Act 22 of 2005 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 2005

Date of First Reading : 16 May 2005 (Bill No. 12/2005 published on 17 May 2005)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 18 July 2005

Date of commencement : 15 August 2005

18. 2006 Revised Edition — Copyright Act

Date of operation : 31 January 2006

19. Act 30 of 2008— Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2008

Date of First Reading : 15 September 2008 (Bill No. 27/2008 published on 16 September 2008)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 17 November 2008

Date of commencement : 17 December 2008

20. Act 23 of 2009 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 2009

Date of First Reading : 18 August 2009 (Bill No. 16/2009 published on 18 August 2009)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 15 September 2009

Date of commencement : 31 December 2009

21. Act 25 of 2012— Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2012

Date of First Reading : 10 September 2012 (Bill No. 23/2012 published on 10 September 2012)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 15 October 2012

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Date of commencement : 28 March 2013

22. Act 5 of 2014 — Subordinate Courts (Amendment) Act 2014

Date of First Reading : 11 November 2013 (Bill No. 26/2013 published on 11 November 2013)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 21 January 2014

Date of commencement : 7 March 2014

23. Act 22 of 2014 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 2014

Date of First Reading : 29 May 2014 (Bill No. 16/2014 published on 29 May 2014)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 8 July 2014

Date of commencement : 10 December 2014

24. Act 22 of 2014 — Copyright (Amendment) Act 2014

Date of First Reading : 29 May 2014 (Bill No. 16/2014 published on 29 May 2014)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 8 July 2014

Date of commencement : 31 March 2015

25. Act 29 of 2017 — Registered Designs (Amendment) Act 2017

Date of First Reading : 3 April 2017 (Bill No. 23/2017 published on 3 April 2017)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 8 May 2017

Date of commencement : 30 October 2017

26. Act 30 of 2018 — National Library Board (Amendment) Act 2018

Date of First Reading : 19 March 2018 (Bill No. 19/2018 published on 19 March 2018)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 9 July 2018

Date of commencement : 31 January 2019

27. Act 34 of 2018 — Intellectual Property (Border Enforcement) Act 2018

Date of First Reading : 17 May 2018 (Bill No. 24/2018 published on 17 May 2018)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 9 July 2018

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Date of commencement : 10 October 2018 21 November 2019

28. Act 40 of 2019 — Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019

Date of First Reading : 7 October 2019 (Bill No. 32/2019)

Date of Second and Third Readings : 5 November 2019

Date of commencement : 2 January 2021

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

COMPARATIVE TABLE

The following provisions in the Copyright Act (Cap. 63, 1999 Ed.) have been renumbered by the Law Revision Commissioners in this 2006 Revised Edition.

This Comparative Table is provided for the convenience of users. It is not part of the Copyright Act.

2006 Ed. 1999 Ed.

52—(10) 52—(9)

(9) (10)

(11B) (11A)

(11A) (11B)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

COMPARATIVE TABLE

The following provisions in the 1988 Revised Edition of the Copyright Act were renumbered by the Law Revision Commissioners in the 1999 Revised Edition.

This Comparative Table is provided for the convenience of users. It is not part of the Copyright Act.

1999 Ed. 1988 Ed.

25—(3) and (4) 25—(3)

— 35—(5) (Deleted by Act 6 of 1998)

74—(1A) Proviso to 74—(1)

(5) and (6) (5)

(7) (6)

84—(3) Proviso to 84—(2)

85—(5) Proviso to 85—(4)

— 108—(2) (Deleted by Act 38 of 1999)

(2) (3)

137—(1) and (2) 137—(1)

(3) (2)

141 140R

142 141

— 142 (Repealed by Act 6 of 1998)

153—(1) and (2) 153

165—(6) and (7) 165—(6)

194—(4) and (5) 194—(4)

197—(4A) Proviso to 197—(4)

Omitted — Spent 229

237—(4) and (4A) 237—(4)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 2/1/2021

Copyright Act (Chapter 63) (Revised Edition 2006, as amended up to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019), Singapore

Available Materials