Exceptions
Art. L122-5 defines the exceptions to French copyright law, which are relatively restricted.
Once a work has been published, the author cannot prevent:
- 1. Private family performances.
- 2. Copies for the private and personal use of the copier. This provision does not apply to works of art, computer programs (where a single safeguard copy is allowed, Art. L122-6-1-II) and databases.
- 3. In cases where the name of the author and the source are clearly indicated,
- a) Analyses and short citations justified by the critical, polemical, scientific or pedagogical nature of the work.
- b) Press reviews.
- c) Diffusion of public speeches as current news.
- d) Reproductions of works of art in catalogues for auctions in France (subject to regulatory restrictions).
- 4. Parody, pastiche and caricature, "taking into account the usage of the genre".
- 5. Acts necessary to access a database within the limits of the agreed use.
There is no specific provision for government works or laws: the copyright is normally held by the relevant public body.
Read more about this topic: Copyright Law Of France