법령 상세
Copyright Act 2021, (2020 Revised Edition, amended up to March 9, 2025)
법률 · key wipolex-sg-23201 · 기준일 2026-03-25
조문 1 - Preamble
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Copyright Act 202
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- Singapore Statutes Online FAQs | Feedback A- A+ Home Browse Acts Current Repealed/Spent Uncommenced Subsidiary Legislation Current Revoked/Spent Uncommenced AS PUBLISHED Acts Supplement Bills Supplement Subsidiary Legislation Supplement Revised Editions of Acts Revised Editions of Subsidiary Legislation QUICK LINKS Constitutional Instruments Basic Acts Subsidiary Legislation Interpretation Act Private Acts English Acts Imperial Acts Honours/Awards Frequently Accessed Legislation What's New Announcements Courses New Legislation Help FAQs SSO Guide Video Guides About Us FAQs Feedback My Collections Search Copyright Act 2021 Status: Current version as at 26 Mar 2026 Print Select the provisions you wish to print using the checkboxes and then click the relevant "Print" Select All Clear All Print - HTML Print - PDF Print - Word Copyright Act 2021 Table of Contents Long Title Part 1 PRELIMINARY 1 Short title and commencement 2 Application to things existing before 21 November 2021 3 Extension of Act to reciprocating countries 4 Exclusion of non‑reciprocating countries from Act 5 Saving for other laws 6 Act binds Government Part 2 INTERPRETATION Division 1 General 7 General interpretation Division 2 Works and performances Subdivision 1 Works 8 What is a work Subdivision 2 Authorial works in general 9 What is an authorial work 10 What is a work of joint authorship 11 Reference to author includes all joint authors 12 What is an authorial work with an identified author Subdivision 3 Literary, dramatic and musical works 13 Literary work includes computer program and compilation 14 Subject matter of copyright in compilations 15 What does a dramatic work include 16 When is a literary, dramatic or musical work made Subdivision 4 Adaptations of literary, dramatic or musical works
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What is an adaptation of a literary or dramatic work 18 What is an adaptation of a musical work 19 Adaptation of literary, dramatic or musical work includes adaptation of substantial part thereof Subdivision 5 Artistic works 20 What is an artistic work Subdivision 6 Sound recordings 21 What is a sound recording 22 When is a sound recording made 23 Who is the maker of a sound recording Subdivision 7 Films 24 What is a film; what are the visual images, sounds and soundtrack of a film 25 What is the making of a film 26 Who is the maker of a film Subdivision 8 Broadcasts 27 What does it mean to broadcast (verb) 28 What is a broadcast (noun) 29 What is a television broadcast 30 What is a sound broadcast 31 Who is the maker of a broadcast 32 Where is a broadcast made 33 When is a broadcast made Subdivision 9 Cable programmes 34 What is a cable programme 35 What is a cable programme service 36 What is inclusion in a cable programme service Subdivision 10 Qualifying performances and recordings of protected performances 37 What is a qualifying performance 38 What is a recording of a protected performance Division 3 Acts relating to works and performances Subdivision 1 General
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Act done in relation to work, etc., includes act done in relation to substantial part thereof 40 Act done in relation to protected performance, etc., includes act done in relation to substantial part thereof Subdivision 2 Copying 41 What is a copy of an authorial work 42 What is a copy of a published edition of an authorial work 43 What is a reasonable portion when copying a published edition of a literary, dramatic or musical work 44 What is a copy of a sound recording 45 What is a copy of a film 46 What is a copy of a television broadcast 47 What is a copy of a sound broadcast 48 What is a copy of a cable programme 49 Copy of work includes copy of substantial part 50 Copy of work includes temporary or incidental copy 51 What is a copy of a recording of a protected performance 52 Copy of recording of protected performance work includes temporary or incidental copy Subdivision 3 Publishing 53 What constitutes publication of an authorial work 54 What constitutes publication of an edition of an authorial work 55 What constitutes publication of a sound recording 56 What constitutes publication of a film 57 What constitutes publication of a recording of a protected performance 58 Matters to be considered or ignored for publication, first publication, and publication before death 59 Effect of acts done before 21 November 2021 60 Specific acts that do not constitute publication Subdivision 4 Communicating 61 What does communicate mean 62 What does accessibility on demand mean 63 Who is the maker of a communication Subdivision 5 Broadcasting, etc.
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What is doing an act by the reception of a broadcast 65 What is a re‑transmission of a broadcast 66 When is a copy of a sound recording or a film used in a broadcast Subdivision 6 Performing 67 What does a performance of an authorial work include 68 Performance by operating receiving apparatus 69 Performance by operating apparatus for reproducing sounds Subdivision 7 Causing visual images to be seen or sounds to be heard 70 Communication not included 71 Causing by operating receiving apparatus 72 Causing by operating apparatus for reproducing sounds Subdivision 8 Commercial acts 73 What is a commercial dealing in a thing 74 What does it mean to do an act for commercial advantage 75 What is a commercial rental arrangement relating to a computer program or sound recording 76 Who is a paying audience for a television broadcast or cable programme Division 4 Relevant persons and organisations Subdivision 1 Qualified individuals and persons 77 Who is a qualified individual 78 Who is a qualified person 79 Who is a Singapore resident 80 Country of residence not affected by temporary absence Subdivision 2 International organisations 81 What is a prescribed international organisation 82 Legal capacity of prescribed international organisation Subdivision 3 Educational institutions 83 What is an educational institution 84 What is the body administering an educational institution Subdivision 4 Persons with print disabilities 85 Who is a person with a print disability
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What is an institution aiding persons with print disabilities 87 What is the body administering an institution aiding persons with print disabilities 88 What is a foreign institution aiding persons with print disabilities Subdivision 5 Persons with intellectual disabilities 89 What is an institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities 90 What is the body administering an institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities Subdivision 6 Public collections: galleries, libraries, archives and museums 91 What is a public collection 92 What is an archive 93 What is the custodian of a public collection 94 Who is an authorised officer of a public collection 95 When is a library run for profit Division 5 Rights and rights infringements Subdivision 1 Common provisions 96 Who is a rights owner 97 What is a rights infringement 98 What is an infringing copy of a copyright work or protected performance 99 What is a flagrantly infringing online location Subdivision 2 Provisions relating to copyright works 100 What are acts comprised in a copyright 101 What does it mean to do an act with or without the licence of copyright owner 102 If there are 2 or more copyright owners for a work, which owner is relevant 103 What is an exclusive licence Subdivision 3 Provisions relating to protected performances 104 If there are 2 or more rights owners for a protected performance, whose authority is relevant Division 6 Miscellaneous 105 When is a visual image or sound embodied in an article or a thing Part 3 COPYRIGHT IN WORKS Division 1 General
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Copyright subsists only by virtue of this Act
107
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Copyrights to subsist independently
108
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Nature of copyright Division 2 Authorial works 109 Conditions for copyright to subsist in unpublished authorial works 110 Conditions for copyright to subsist in published authorial works 111 Conditions for copyright to subsist in buildings 112 Nature of copyright in literary, dramatic and musical works 113 Nature of copyright in artistic works 114 Duration of copyright in authorial works 115 Duration of copyright in authorial works — transitional provision for certain works published before 31 December 2022 116 Interpretation of sections 114 and 115 — making available to public; application to works of joint authorship Division 3 Published editions of authorial works 117 Conditions for copyright to subsist in published editions of authorial works 118 Nature of copyright in published editions of authorial works 119 Duration of copyright in published editions of authorial works Division 4 Sound recordings 120 Conditions for copyright to subsist in sound recordings 121 Nature of copyright in sound recordings 122 Duration of copyright in sound recordings Division 5 Films 123 Conditions for copyright to subsist in films 124 Nature of copyright in films 125 Duration of copyright in films Division 6 Broadcasts 126 Conditions for copyright to subsist in broadcasts 127 Nature of copyright in broadcasts 128 Duration of copyright in broadcasts
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Duration of copyright in repeat broadcasts Division 7 Cable programmes 130 Conditions for copyright to subsist in cable programmes 131 Nature of copyright in cable programmes 132 Duration of copyright in cable programmes Division 8 Ownership and transactions 133 First owner — maker of work, etc., is default first owner 134 First owner — copyright created in the course of employment 135 First owner — sound recordings, films and certain authorial works commissioned before 21 November 2021 136 First owner — Government and prescribed international organisations 137 Transfer of copyright 138 Assignment — formalities 139 Assignment — partial assignment 140 Assignment — assignment of future copyright 141 Licences — licence of future copyright 142 Licences — formalities for exclusive licence 143 Licences — licence binds successors in title to copyright except bona fide purchaser 144 Death — devolution of copyright coming into existence after would‑be owner dies 145 Death — bequest of manuscript, etc., includes any copyright therein Division 9 Infringement of copyright Subdivision 1 What is an infringement of copyright 146 Infringement by doing act comprised in copyright 147 Infringement by importation for commercial dealing, etc. 148 Infringement by commercial dealing, etc. 149 Accessory to imported article to be ignored for purposes of sections 147 and 148 in certain circumstances 150 Infringement by making device or providing service, etc., to access works communicated without authority 151 Infringement by failure to pay equitable remuneration for causing sounds embodied in commercially published sound recordings to be heard in public 152 Exceptions to infringement Subdivision 2 Action for copyright infringement
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Action for copyright infringement 154 Limitation of action 155 Remedies and border enforcement measures Subdivision 3 Infringement action where exclusive licensee has concurrent right of action 156 Interpretation of this Subdivision 157 Application of this Subdivision 158 Joinder and costs 159 Same defences and same remedies available 160 Assessment of damages 161 Apportionment of profits 162 Separate actions for same infringement Subdivision 4 Presumptions in infringement actions 163 Application 164 Presumption that copyright subsists if not disputed, etc. 165 Presumption that claimant owns copyright if not disputed, etc. 166 Presumption of authorship where name appears 167 Presumptions where authorial work is first published in Singapore 168 Presumptions where author is dead 169 Presumptions as to anonymous or pseudonymous authorial work 170 Presumptions relating to label or mark on copies of sound recording 171 Presumptions as to maker of film Part 4 PROTECTION OF PERFORMANCES 172 Interpretation of this Part 173 Protection of performances 174 Duration of protection 175 Infringing use — general 176 Infringing use — commercial dealing in unauthorised recordings, etc. 177 Action for infringing use of protected performance 178 Limitation of action 179 Remedies and border enforcement measures
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Assignment of right to bring action 181 Presumptions relating to identity of performers 182 Other rights not affected Part 5 PERMITTED USES OF COPYRIGHT WORKS AND PROTECTED PERFORMANCES Division 1 General provisions 183 Permitted uses are not rights infringements 184 Permitted uses are independent 185 Permitted uses may go beyond scope of copyright or protection of performances 186 Permitted uses may be excluded or restricted by reasonable contract term 187 Permitted uses that may not be excluded or restricted 188 Evasion through choice of law clause to be void 189 What is sufficient acknowledgment of an authorial work Division 2 Fair use 190 Fair use is permitted use 191 Relevant matters in deciding whether use is fair 192 Additional requirement for sufficient acknowledgment where use is for certain purposes 193 Deemed fair use where work or recording included in fairly‑used work 194 Deemed fair use where reasonable portion copied for research or study Division 3 Education and educational institutions 195 Interpretation: when is a copy or recording made or used for the educational purposes of an educational institution 196 Copying authorial work by non‑reprographic means for course of education 197 Copying or communicating very small portions of literary or dramatic work for course of education provided by educational institutions 198 Copying or communicating material for educational purposes of educational institutions
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Suspension of section 198 for contravention of record keeping requirements 200 Copying broadcasts or cable programmes for educational purposes 201 Copying for purposes of teaching or learning film making 202 Things done for purposes of examination 203 Inclusion of authorial work in collections for use by educational institutions 204 Using material available on Internet for educational purposes 205 Performances by students or staff of educational institutions, etc. Division 4 Persons with print disabilities 206 Material to which this Division applies 207 Interpretation: what is an accessible format 208 Interpretation: what is an accessible format copy 209 Interpretation: what is a new copy of an accessible format copy 210 Interpretation: what does it mean to make an accessible format copy available to persons with print disabilities or a foreign institution 211 Making, distributing or making available accessible format copies for Singapore residents with print disabilities 212 Making or making available accessible format copies for foreign institutions or non‑resident persons with print disabilities 213 Receiving, importing or distributing accessible format copies from foreign institutions 214 Making of accessible format copy by person with print disability for personal use 215 Copyright not to vest by virtue of making accessible format copy for persons with print disability 216 Rights owner’s right to license or authorise not affected Division 5 Persons with intellectual disabilities 217 Copying by institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities — authorial works 218 Copying, etc., by institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities — protected performances 219 Copyright not to vest by virtue of making copy for aiding persons with intellectual disabilities 220 Rights owner’s right to license or authorise not affected Division 6 Public collections: galleries, libraries, archives and museums
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Interpretation: what is an article in a periodical publication 222 Public use and enjoyment — copying for public exhibitions 223 Public use and enjoyment — publicising public exhibitions 224 Public use and enjoyment — performing for public exhibitions 225 Public use and enjoyment — making public collection available on internal network 226 Research or study — copying or communicating material for users of public collections 227 Research or study — copying originals for use on premises of public collections 228 Research or study — copying or communicating unpublished thesis in university library or archive 229 Research, study or publication — copying or communicating unpublished old material in public collections 230 Publication — publishing unpublished old authorial works in public collections 231 Publication — communicating, performing, etc., authorial works published under section 230 232 Preservation and replacement — copying material in public collections 233 Administration — copying or communicating material in public collections 234 Supplying copies of published literary, dramatic or musical works or articles between libraries and archives 235 Protection of libraries and archives when infringing copies made on machines installed by them 236 Copying online material for National Library Board collection Division 7 Use of computer programs 237 Making back‑up copy of computer program 238 Copying electronic compilation or computer program when essential for use 239 Decompilation of computer program by lawful user 240 Observing, studying and testing of computer program by lawful user 241 Copying or adapting of computer program by lawful user 242 Interpretation: who is a lawful user Division 8 Computational data analysis
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Interpretation: what is computational data analysis 244 Copying or communicating for computational data analysis Division 9 Communication of sound recordings and recordings of protected performances 245 Interpretation: what is an interactive service 246 Communication by analogue broadcast 247 Communication by non‑interactive digital broadcast 248 Communication by other analogue or non‑interactive digital transmission Division 10 Films 249 Films depicting historical events 250 Using record of sounds in films Division 11 Broadcasting, cable programmes and simulcasting 251 Making sound recordings or films of literary, dramatic and musical works for broadcasting 252 Making films of artistic works for television broadcasting or cable programmes 253 Copying sound recordings or recordings of performances for broadcasting 254 Checking whether broadcast of sound recording or recording of performance is lawful 255 Making sound recordings or films of literary, dramatic or musical works for simulcasting 256 Copying sound recordings, recordings of performances, or films for simulcasting 257 Reception of broadcasts or cable programmes 258 Deemed copyright licences when receiving or transmitting broadcasts or cable programmes Division 12 Making musical records 259 Interpretation and scope of this Division 260 Conditions for making musical records 261 Conditions for including literary or dramatic work in musical records 262 Regulations and inquiry on amount of royalties 263 Regulations on other matters
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Modifications relating to records made before 10 April 1987 Division 13 Artistic works 265 Buildings and certain artistic works in public places 266 Incidental inclusion in film, television broadcast or cable programme 267 Copying artistic work in different dimensions 268 Copying part of artistic work in later artistic work 269 Reconstruction of buildings Division 14 Artistic works with corresponding designs and industrially applied artistic works 270 Interpretation of this Division 271 Purpose of this Division 272 Artistic work with corresponding design registered under Registered Designs Act 2000 273 Modification of section 272 if registration is false 274 Artistic work with industrially‑applied corresponding design that could have been registered under Registered Designs Act 2000 275 Artistic works that have been industrially applied 276 Application to artistic works made before 10 April 1987 Division 15 Material in public registers, publicly disclosed material and data sharing within public sector 277 Interpretation: what is a public register 278 Copying or communicating material in public registers 279 Copying literary or artistic works in public registers 280 Interpretation: what is publicly disclosed material 281 Copying or communicating publicly disclosed material 282 Copying literary or artistic works that are publicly disclosed material 283 Data sharing within public sector Division 16 Acts for service of Government 284 Interpretation: what is a public act 285 Public act is permitted use 286 Terms for doing public act 287 Public act does not constitute publication 288 Protection of purchaser in sale in course of public act
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Modification when exclusive copyright licence in force Division 17 Judicial proceedings and legal advice 290 Acts done for judicial proceedings 291 Acts done for seeking legal advice Division 18 Miscellaneous 292 Temporary copies made in course of communication 293 Temporary copies made in user caching 294 Transfer of electronic copy of material 295 Reading or recitation of literary or dramatic works 296 Religious performances of literary, dramatic or musical works 297 Using adaptations of literary, dramatic or musical works 298 Copying published editions of authorial works in course of permitted use of authorial works 299 Private and domestic use 300 Recording performance, etc., in mistaken belief of authorisation Division 19 Notation of copies 301 When and how should copies be notated 302 Presumptions relating to notated copy 303 Making false or misleading notation Part 6 REMEDIES FOR AND BORDER ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AGAINST RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS Division 1 Remedies for rights infringements 304 Interpretation of this Division 305 Remedies 306 No damages for innocent rights infringement 307 Measure of damages 308 Measure of statutory damages 309 Order to deliver up infringing copies, etc. 310 Order to dispose of infringing copies, etc. 311 Procedure for disposal order 312 Remedy for infringement of copyright under section 151 Division 2 Remedies against network service providers Subdivision 1 Preliminary
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Interpretation of this Division 314 Provisions relating to rights infringement not affected Subdivision 2 Restriction of remedies against rights infringements in course of providing network services 315 Restriction of remedies if conditions met 316 Conditions relating to infringement by transmission, routing or providing connections 317 Conditions relating to infringement by system caching 318 Conditions relating to infringement by storage 319 Conditions relating to infringement by locating information 320 Conditions do not require monitoring of network services, etc. 321 Evidence of compliance with conditions 322 Protection against liability for removing or disabling access to electronic copy under section 317, 318 or 319 323 Requirements relating to take‑down or restoration notices, etc. 324 Making false statements in take‑down or restoration notice Subdivision 3 Disabling access to flagrantly infringing online locations 325 Access disabling order 326 Procedure for application 327 Variation and revocation of order 328 Application of presumptions Division 3 Border enforcement measures against infringing goods Subdivision 1 Preliminary 329 Interpretation of this Division 330 Interpretation: what are infringing goods 331 Infringement actions to which this Division applies Subdivision 2 Seizure on request 332 Request to seize 333 Duration of request 334 Seizure on request 335 Notice to bring action after seizure Subdivision 3 Seizure without request
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Inspection and seizure without request 337 Notice of seizure 338 Request to continue detention 339 Release of seized goods if request not made 340 Notice to bring action if request made Subdivision 4 Infringement action after seizure 341 Interpretation of this Subdivision 342 Time for requestor to bring action 343 Failure to bring action — release of seized goods 344 Failure to bring action — compensation for seizure 345 Infringement action — orders in relation to seized goods 346 Infringement action — release of seized goods if no contrary order made 347 Infringement action — compensation if action dismissed, etc. 348 Infringement action — further provisions Subdivision 5 Supplementary provisions on seizure 349 Security for request to seize or continue detention 350 Direction for secure storage 351 Inspecting, or removing sample of, seized goods 352 Power of customs officer, etc., to require information after seizure 353 Requestor may ask for identity, etc., of person connected with seized goods 354 Notice of release 355 Forfeiture by consent 356 Release by consent 357 Release for non‑compliance with directions, etc. 358 Unsecured expenses of Director‑General Subdivision 6 Powers to search for seizable infringing goods 359 Interpretation of this Subdivision 360 Powers to search vessels, aircrafts and vehicles 361 Examination and search of packages, etc. 362 Removal of packages, etc., to police station, etc., for examination and search 363 Search of travellers and baggage
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Powers to enter certain premises 365 Obstruction of customs officers Subdivision 7 Administration of this Division 366 Appointment of persons to exercise powers and duties of customs officers 367 Delegation of Director‑General’s powers 368 Fees Part 7 ADDITIONAL RIGHTS RELATING TO COPYRIGHT WORKS AND PROTECTED PERFORMANCES Division 1 Author’s moral rights 369 Interpretation of this Division 370 Application 371 Right to be identified 372 Right to be identified — when should an author be identified 373 Right to be identified — how should an author be identified 374 Right to be identified — exception where author not known 375 Right to be identified — exception for certain authorial works 376 Right to be identified — exception for certain permitted uses 377 Right to be identified — transitional exceptions 378 Right against false identification 379 Right not to be falsely identified as author of copy of artistic work 380 Right not to have altered copy represented as unaltered 381 Moral rights not infringed by acts, etc., outside Singapore 382 Consent and formal waiver 383 Action for infringement of moral rights 384 Limitation of action 385 Remedies 386 Moral rights not assignable 387 Devolution on death 388 Other rights not affected Division 2 Performer’s moral rights 389 Interpretation of this Division 390 Application of moral rights 391 Right to be identified
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Right to be identified — when should a performer be identified
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Right to be identified — how should a performer be identified
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Right to be identified — exception where performer not known
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Right to be identified — exception for certain performances
396
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Right to be identified — exception for certain permitted uses
397
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Right to be identified — transitional exception
398
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Right against false identification
399
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Right not to have altered recording represented as unaltered
400
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Moral rights not infringed by acts, etc., outside Singapore
401
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Consent and formal waiver
402
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Action for infringement of moral rights
403
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Limitation of action
404
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Remedies
405
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Moral rights not assignable
406
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Devolution on death
407
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Other rights not affected Division 3 Protection of electronic rights management information 408 Interpretation of this Division 409 Interpretation: what is rights management information 410 Application 411 Prohibition on removing or altering rights management information 412 Prohibition on dealing with altered rights management information 413 Prohibition on dealing with protected copies after rights management information altered or removed 414 Action for infringement 415 Limitation of action 416 Remedies 417 Offence 418 Power to deal with protected copies, etc., in proceedings under section 417 419 Powers of entry, search and seizure 420 Disposal of seized evidence 421 Other rights not affected Division 4 Protection of technological measures 422 Interpretation of this Division
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Interpretation: what are technological measures, access control measures and protection measures 424 Application 425 Prohibition on circumventing access control measure 426 Prohibition on dealing in circumventing devices 427 Prohibition on dealing in circumventing services 428 Exception — access by non‑profit library, etc., for purpose of acquisition 429 Exception — protecting personal information of network user 430 Exception — achieving interoperability between computer programs 431 Exception — research on encryption technology 432 Exception — preventing minor access to online material 433 Exception — testing of security flaws, etc., of computer 434 Exception — law enforcement, national defence, etc. 435 Exception — prescribed exceptions 436 Action for infringement 437 Limitation of action 438 Remedies 439 Offence 440 Power to deal with protected copies, etc., in proceedings under section 439 441 Powers of entry, search and seizure 442 Disposal of seized evidence 443 Other rights not affected Part 8 OFFENCES Division 1 Offences with commercial element 444 Commercial dealings, etc., in infringing copies 445 Infringement for commercial advantage, etc. 446 Making or possessing article capable of making infringing copies 447 Punishment Division 2 Offences without commercial element 448 Distribution, etc., of infringing copies of works 449 Wilful and significant rights infringement
450
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Causing certain works or performances to be performed, seen or heard in public for private profit
451
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Advertisement for supply of infringing copies of works
452
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Punishment Division 3 Other provisions 453 Presumption where person possesses 5 or more infringing copies 454 Proof of subsistence of copyright and protection of performance, etc., by affidavit 455 Power to deal with infringing copies, etc., in proceedings under this Part 456 Powers of entry, search and seizure 457 Disposal of seized evidence Part 9 REGULATION OF COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS Division 1 Preliminary 458 Interpretation of this Part 459 Interpretation: what is a collective management organisation (CMO) and who are its members; what is a tariff scheme 460 Purpose of this Part Division 2 Class licensing of CMOs 461 CMOs must be licensed 462 Class licences 463 Financial penalty for non‑compliance with class licence conditions 464 Regulatory directions to CMOs and their officers 465 Cessation order 466 Reconsideration of decisions 467 Appeal Division 3 Review of tariff schemes, etc., by Copyright Tribunals 468 Interpretation: who is an intending user of a tariff scheme 469 Interpretation: when does a tariff scheme apply or not apply to a case 470 Review of proposed tariff scheme 471 Review of in‑force tariff scheme
472
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Review after order made under section 470 or 471, etc.
473
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Effect where tariff scheme remains in force pending reference or after Tribunal order
474
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Application to Tribunal for permission to be granted on reasonable terms
475
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Orders not to contradict regulatory directions or class licence conditions Division 4 Miscellaneous 476 CMO may apply to Tribunal on behalf of rights owners Part 10 COPYRIGHT TRIBUNALS Division 1 Preliminary 477 Interpretation of this Part 478 Agreements or awards not affected Division 2 Establishment of Tribunals 479 Establishment of Tribunals 480 Appointment of president, deputy presidents and panel 481 Appointment of secretary and other officers 482 Remuneration, allowances and expenses 483 Protection of members 484 Members and officers deemed to be public servants Division 3 Functions, procedure and evidence 485 Functions of Tribunals 486 Constitution of Tribunals 487 Reconstitution of Tribunal if member unable to continue 488 Sittings 489 Proceedings to be in public 490 Decisions how made 491 Evidence 492 Provisions on inquiries 493 Orders of Tribunal 494 Reference of question of law arising in case to Court 495 Representation 496 Costs 497 Regulations on procedure
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Other provisions on procedure Part 11 MISCELLANEOUS 499 Groundless threats of legal proceedings for copyright infringement 500 Offences by bodies corporate, etc. 501 Jurisdiction of courts 502 Application of Government Proceedings Act 1956 503 Application of Electronic Transactions Act 2010 504 Immunity of officers and employees of Government and IPOS 505 Regulations 506 Repeal of Copyright Act 507 Related and consequential amendments, etc. Part 12 TRANSITIONAL Division 1 Preliminary 508 References in laws and documents to predecessor Acts and copyright thereunder Division 2 Works, acts, etc., before 1 July 1912 509 Interpretation of this Division and Division 3 510 What is a substituted right 511 No copyright in authorial works made before 1 July 1912 unless there is substituted right 512 Scope of copyright in dramatic or musical works made before 1 July 1912 depends on scope of substituted right 513 Copyright in contributions to periodicals made before 1 July 1912 subject to author’s right to publish in separate form 514 Assignments and grants made before 1 July 1912 Division 3 Works, acts, etc., before 10 April 1987 515 Authorial works first published before 10 April 1987 — no revival of copyright expiring before 10 April 1987 516 Authorial works made before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 109 517 Authorial works first published before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 110
518
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Photographs taken before 10 April 1987 — who is the author 519 Photographs taken before 10 April 1987 — duration of copyright 520 Artistic works made before 10 April 1987 — no copyright if work is registrable design 521 Sound recordings made or first published before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 120 522 Sound recordings made before 10 April 1987 — duration of copyright 523 Films made before 10 April 1987 — treatment 524 Assignments and licences made before 10 April 1987 in relation to authorial works, sound recordings and films to have similar effect 525 Authorial works made before 10 April 1987 — copyright reverts to author’s estate 25 years after death 526 Bequests by author who died before 10 April 1987 527 Reproduction of authorial work published before 10 April 1987 upon payment of royalties Division 4 Commercial rental arrangements in respect of copies bought before 16 April 1998 528 Copies of computer programs bought before 16 April 1998 529 Copies of sound recordings bought before 16 April 1998 Division 5 Copyright and protection expiring before 1 July 2004 530 No revival or extension of copyright in authorial work, sound recording or film expiring before 1 July 2004 531 No revival or extension of protection for performances ceasing to be protected before 1 July 2004 Division 6 Assignments and licences before 1 January 2005 532 Assignments and licences made before 1 January 2005 and relating to broadcasting and cable programmes Division 7 Works, performances, acts, etc., before 21 November 2021 533 No revival or extension of copyright in authorial work, sound recording or film expiring before 21 November 2021 534 Assignments and licences of copyright made on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 to have similar effect
535
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Assignments of performers’ rights made before 21 November 2021 to have similar effect
536
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Photographs taken on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 — who is the author
537
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Photographs taken on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 — presumptions relating to authorship
538
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Editions of authorial works published by Government before 21 November 2021 — no infringement of Government copyright
539
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Deciding equitable remuneration payable under 1987 Act
540
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Copyright Tribunals constituted under 1987 Act
541
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Saving and transitional provisions Legislative History Abbreviations Select All Clear All Print HTML PDF Word Copyright Act 2021 Status: Current version as at 26 Mar 2026 Please check the legislation timeline to ensure that you are viewing the correct legislation version. See also FAQ B3. Subsidiary Legislation Hide Amendment Annotation Add to My Collections Amendments RSS Feed Print Help Timeline Document Provision Versions 09 Mar 2025 or find current version as at 09 Mar 2025 09 Mar 2025 Amended by Act 5 of 2025 25 Nov 2024 Amended by Act 32 of 2024 01 May 2024 Act 22 of 2021 01 Nov 2022 Amended by Act 31 of 2022 01 Apr 2022 Act 22 of 2021 31 Dec 2021 2020 RevEd 21 Nov 2021 Act 22 of 2021 Table of Contents Copyright Act 2021 Long Title Part 1 PRELIMINARY 1 Short title and commencement 2 Application to things existing before 21 November 2021 3 Extension of Act to reciprocating countries 4 Exclusion of non‑reciprocating countries from Act 5 Saving for other laws 6 Act binds Government Part 2 INTERPRETATION Division 1 General 7 General interpretation Division 2 Works and performances Subdivision 1 Works 8 What is a work Subdivision 2 Authorial works in general 9 What is an authorial work 10 What is a work of joint authorship 11 Reference to author includes all joint authors 12 What is an authorial work with an identified author Subdivision 3 Literary, dramatic and musical works 13 Literary work includes computer program and compilation 14 Subject matter of copyright in compilations 15 What does a dramatic work include 16 When is a literary, dramatic or musical work made Subdivision 4 Adaptations of literary, dramatic or musical works 17 What is an adaptation of a literary or dramatic work 18 What is an adaptation of a musical work 19 Adaptation of literary, dramatic or musical work includes adaptation of substantial part thereof Subdivision 5 Artistic works 20 What is an artistic work Subdivision 6 Sound recordings 21 What is a sound recording 22 When is a sound recording made 23 Who is the maker of a sound recording Subdivision 7 Films 24 What is a film; what are the visual images, sounds and soundtrack of a film 25 What is the making of a film 26 Who is the maker of a film Subdivision 8 Broadcasts 27 What does it mean to broadcast (verb) 28 What is a broadcast (noun) 29 What is a television broadcast 30 What is a sound broadcast 31 Who is the maker of a broadcast 32 Where is a broadcast made 33 When is a broadcast made Subdivision 9 Cable programmes 34 What is a cable programme 35 What is a cable programme service 36 What is inclusion in a cable programme service Subdivision 10 Qualifying performances and recordings of protected performances 37 What is a qualifying performance 38 What is a recording of a protected performance Division 3 Acts relating to works and performances Subdivision 1 General 39 Act done in relation to work, etc., includes act done in relation to substantial part thereof 40 Act done in relation to protected performance, etc., includes act done in relation to substantial part thereof Subdivision 2 Copying 41 What is a copy of an authorial work 42 What is a copy of a published edition of an authorial work 43 What is a reasonable portion when copying a published edition of a literary, dramatic or musical work 44 What is a copy of a sound recording 45 What is a copy of a film 46 What is a copy of a television broadcast 47 What is a copy of a sound broadcast 48 What is a copy of a cable programme 49 Copy of work includes copy of substantial part 50 Copy of work includes temporary or incidental copy 51 What is a copy of a recording of a protected performance 52 Copy of recording of protected performance work includes temporary or incidental copy Subdivision 3 Publishing 53 What constitutes publication of an authorial work 54 What constitutes publication of an edition of an authorial work 55 What constitutes publication of a sound recording 56 What constitutes publication of a film 57 What constitutes publication of a recording of a protected performance 58 Matters to be considered or ignored for publication, first publication, and publication before death 59 Effect of acts done before 21 November 2021 60 Specific acts that do not constitute publication Subdivision 4 Communicating 61 What does communicate mean 62 What does accessibility on demand mean 63 Who is the maker of a communication Subdivision 5 Broadcasting, etc. 64 What is doing an act by the reception of a broadcast 65 What is a re‑transmission of a broadcast 66 When is a copy of a sound recording or a film used in a broadcast Subdivision 6 Performing 67 What does a performance of an authorial work include 68 Performance by operating receiving apparatus 69 Performance by operating apparatus for reproducing sounds Subdivision 7 Causing visual images to be seen or sounds to be heard 70 Communication not included 71 Causing by operating receiving apparatus 72 Causing by operating apparatus for reproducing sounds Subdivision 8 Commercial acts 73 What is a commercial dealing in a thing 74 What does it mean to do an act for commercial advantage 75 What is a commercial rental arrangement relating to a computer program or sound recording 76 Who is a paying audience for a television broadcast or cable programme Division 4 Relevant persons and organisations Subdivision 1 Qualified individuals and persons 77 Who is a qualified individual 78 Who is a qualified person 79 Who is a Singapore resident 80 Country of residence not affected by temporary absence Subdivision 2 International organisations 81 What is a prescribed international organisation 82 Legal capacity of prescribed international organisation Subdivision 3 Educational institutions 83 What is an educational institution 84 What is the body administering an educational institution Subdivision 4 Persons with print disabilities 85 Who is a person with a print disability 86 What is an institution aiding persons with print disabilities 87 What is the body administering an institution aiding persons with print disabilities 88 What is a foreign institution aiding persons with print disabilities Subdivision 5 Persons with intellectual disabilities 89 What is an institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities 90 What is the body administering an institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities Subdivision 6 Public collections: galleries, libraries, archives and museums 91 What is a public collection 92 What is an archive 93 What is the custodian of a public collection 94 Who is an authorised officer of a public collection 95 When is a library run for profit Division 5 Rights and rights infringements Subdivision 1 Common provisions 96 Who is a rights owner 97 What is a rights infringement 98 What is an infringing copy of a copyright work or protected performance 99 What is a flagrantly infringing online location Subdivision 2 Provisions relating to copyright works 100 What are acts comprised in a copyright 101 What does it mean to do an act with or without the licence of copyright owner 102 If there are 2 or more copyright owners for a work, which owner is relevant 103 What is an exclusive licence Subdivision 3 Provisions relating to protected performances 104 If there are 2 or more rights owners for a protected performance, whose authority is relevant Division 6 Miscellaneous 105 When is a visual image or sound embodied in an article or a thing Part 3 COPYRIGHT IN WORKS Division 1 General 106 Copyright subsists only by virtue of this Act 107 Copyrights to subsist independently 108 Nature of copyright Division 2 Authorial works 109 Conditions for copyright to subsist in unpublished authorial works 110 Conditions for copyright to subsist in published authorial works 111 Conditions for copyright to subsist in buildings 112 Nature of copyright in literary, dramatic and musical works 113 Nature of copyright in artistic works 114 Duration of copyright in authorial works 115 Duration of copyright in authorial works — transitional provision for certain works published before 31 December 2022 116 Interpretation of sections 114 and 115 — making available to public; application to works of joint authorship Division 3 Published editions of authorial works 117 Conditions for copyright to subsist in published editions of authorial works 118 Nature of copyright in published editions of authorial works 119 Duration of copyright in published editions of authorial works Division 4 Sound recordings 120 Conditions for copyright to subsist in sound recordings 121 Nature of copyright in sound recordings 122 Duration of copyright in sound recordings Division 5 Films 123 Conditions for copyright to subsist in films 124 Nature of copyright in films 125 Duration of copyright in films Division 6 Broadcasts 126 Conditions for copyright to subsist in broadcasts 127 Nature of copyright in broadcasts 128 Duration of copyright in broadcasts 129 Duration of copyright in repeat broadcasts Division 7 Cable programmes 130 Conditions for copyright to subsist in cable programmes 131 Nature of copyright in cable programmes 132 Duration of copyright in cable programmes Division 8 Ownership and transactions 133 First owner — maker of work, etc., is default first owner 134 First owner — copyright created in the course of employment 135 First owner — sound recordings, films and certain authorial works commissioned before 21 November 2021 136 First owner — Government and prescribed international organisations 137 Transfer of copyright 138 Assignment — formalities 139 Assignment — partial assignment 140 Assignment — assignment of future copyright 141 Licences — licence of future copyright 142 Licences — formalities for exclusive licence 143 Licences — licence binds successors in title to copyright except bona fide purchaser 144 Death — devolution of copyright coming into existence after would‑be owner dies 145 Death — bequest of manuscript, etc., includes any copyright therein Division 9 Infringement of copyright Subdivision 1 What is an infringement of copyright 146 Infringement by doing act comprised in copyright 147 Infringement by importation for commercial dealing, etc. 148 Infringement by commercial dealing, etc. 149 Accessory to imported article to be ignored for purposes of sections 147 and 148 in certain circumstances 150 Infringement by making device or providing service, etc., to access works communicated without authority 151 Infringement by failure to pay equitable remuneration for causing sounds embodied in commercially published sound recordings to be heard in public 152 Exceptions to infringement Subdivision 2 Action for copyright infringement 153 Action for copyright infringement 154 Limitation of action 155 Remedies and border enforcement measures Subdivision 3 Infringement action where exclusive licensee has concurrent right of action 156 Interpretation of this Subdivision 157 Application of this Subdivision 158 Joinder and costs 159 Same defences and same remedies available 160 Assessment of damages 161 Apportionment of profits 162 Separate actions for same infringement Subdivision 4 Presumptions in infringement actions 163 Application 164 Presumption that copyright subsists if not disputed, etc. 165 Presumption that claimant owns copyright if not disputed, etc. 166 Presumption of authorship where name appears 167 Presumptions where authorial work is first published in Singapore 168 Presumptions where author is dead 169 Presumptions as to anonymous or pseudonymous authorial work 170 Presumptions relating to label or mark on copies of sound recording 171 Presumptions as to maker of film Part 4 PROTECTION OF PERFORMANCES 172 Interpretation of this Part 173 Protection of performances 174 Duration of protection 175 Infringing use — general 176 Infringing use — commercial dealing in unauthorised recordings, etc. 177 Action for infringing use of protected performance 178 Limitation of action 179 Remedies and border enforcement measures 180 Assignment of right to bring action 181 Presumptions relating to identity of performers 182 Other rights not affected Part 5 PERMITTED USES OF COPYRIGHT WORKS AND PROTECTED PERFORMANCES Division 1 General provisions 183 Permitted uses are not rights infringements 184 Permitted uses are independent 185 Permitted uses may go beyond scope of copyright or protection of performances 186 Permitted uses may be excluded or restricted by reasonable contract term 187 Permitted uses that may not be excluded or restricted 188 Evasion through choice of law clause to be void 189 What is sufficient acknowledgment of an authorial work Division 2 Fair use 190 Fair use is permitted use 191 Relevant matters in deciding whether use is fair 192 Additional requirement for sufficient acknowledgment where use is for certain purposes 193 Deemed fair use where work or recording included in fairly‑used work 194 Deemed fair use where reasonable portion copied for research or study Division 3 Education and educational institutions 195 Interpretation: when is a copy or recording made or used for the educational purposes of an educational institution 196 Copying authorial work by non‑reprographic means for course of education 197 Copying or communicating very small portions of literary or dramatic work for course of education provided by educational institutions 198 Copying or communicating material for educational purposes of educational institutions 199 Suspension of section 198 for contravention of record keeping requirements 200 Copying broadcasts or cable programmes for educational purposes 201 Copying for purposes of teaching or learning film making 202 Things done for purposes of examination 203 Inclusion of authorial work in collections for use by educational institutions 204 Using material available on Internet for educational purposes 205 Performances by students or staff of educational institutions, etc. Division 4 Persons with print disabilities 206 Material to which this Division applies 207 Interpretation: what is an accessible format 208 Interpretation: what is an accessible format copy 209 Interpretation: what is a new copy of an accessible format copy 210 Interpretation: what does it mean to make an accessible format copy available to persons with print disabilities or a foreign institution 211 Making, distributing or making available accessible format copies for Singapore residents with print disabilities 212 Making or making available accessible format copies for foreign institutions or non‑resident persons with print disabilities 213 Receiving, importing or distributing accessible format copies from foreign institutions 214 Making of accessible format copy by person with print disability for personal use 215 Copyright not to vest by virtue of making accessible format copy for persons with print disability 216 Rights owner’s right to license or authorise not affected Division 5 Persons with intellectual disabilities 217 Copying by institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities — authorial works 218 Copying, etc., by institution aiding persons with intellectual disabilities — protected performances 219 Copyright not to vest by virtue of making copy for aiding persons with intellectual disabilities 220 Rights owner’s right to license or authorise not affected Division 6 Public collections: galleries, libraries, archives and museums 221 Interpretation: what is an article in a periodical publication 222 Public use and enjoyment — copying for public exhibitions 223 Public use and enjoyment — publicising public exhibitions 224 Public use and enjoyment — performing for public exhibitions 225 Public use and enjoyment — making public collection available on internal network 226 Research or study — copying or communicating material for users of public collections 227 Research or study — copying originals for use on premises of public collections 228 Research or study — copying or communicating unpublished thesis in university library or archive 229 Research, study or publication — copying or communicating unpublished old material in public collections 230 Publication — publishing unpublished old authorial works in public collections 231 Publication — communicating, performing, etc., authorial works published under section 230 232 Preservation and replacement — copying material in public collections 233 Administration — copying or communicating material in public collections 234 Supplying copies of published literary, dramatic or musical works or articles between libraries and archives 235 Protection of libraries and archives when infringing copies made on machines installed by them 236 Copying online material for National Library Board collection Division 7 Use of computer programs 237 Making back‑up copy of computer program 238 Copying electronic compilation or computer program when essential for use 239 Decompilation of computer program by lawful user 240 Observing, studying and testing of computer program by lawful user 241 Copying or adapting of computer program by lawful user 242 Interpretation: who is a lawful user Division 8 Computational data analysis 243 Interpretation: what is computational data analysis 244 Copying or communicating for computational data analysis Division 9 Communication of sound recordings and recordings of protected performances 245 Interpretation: what is an interactive service 246 Communication by analogue broadcast 247 Communication by non‑interactive digital broadcast 248 Communication by other analogue or non‑interactive digital transmission Division 10 Films 249 Films depicting historical events 250 Using record of sounds in films Division 11 Broadcasting, cable programmes and simulcasting 251 Making sound recordings or films of literary, dramatic and musical works for broadcasting 252 Making films of artistic works for television broadcasting or cable programmes 253 Copying sound recordings or recordings of performances for broadcasting 254 Checking whether broadcast of sound recording or recording of performance is lawful 255 Making sound recordings or films of literary, dramatic or musical works for simulcasting 256 Copying sound recordings, recordings of performances, or films for simulcasting 257 Reception of broadcasts or cable programmes 258 Deemed copyright licences when receiving or transmitting broadcasts or cable programmes Division 12 Making musical records 259 Interpretation and scope of this Division 260 Conditions for making musical records 261 Conditions for including literary or dramatic work in musical records 262 Regulations and inquiry on amount of royalties 263 Regulations on other matters 264 Modifications relating to records made before 10 April 1987 Division 13 Artistic works 265 Buildings and certain artistic works in public places 266 Incidental inclusion in film, television broadcast or cable programme 267 Copying artistic work in different dimensions 268 Copying part of artistic work in later artistic work 269 Reconstruction of buildings Division 14 Artistic works with corresponding designs and industrially applied artistic works 270 Interpretation of this Division 271 Purpose of this Division 272 Artistic work with corresponding design registered under Registered Designs Act 2000 273 Modification of section 272 if registration is false 274 Artistic work with industrially‑applied corresponding design that could have been registered under Registered Designs Act 2000 275 Artistic works that have been industrially applied 276 Application to artistic works made before 10 April 1987 Division 15 Material in public registers, publicly disclosed material and data sharing within public sector 277 Interpretation: what is a public register 278 Copying or communicating material in public registers 279 Copying literary or artistic works in public registers 280 Interpretation: what is publicly disclosed material 281 Copying or communicating publicly disclosed material 282 Copying literary or artistic works that are publicly disclosed material 283 Data sharing within public sector Division 16 Acts for service of Government 284 Interpretation: what is a public act 285 Public act is permitted use 286 Terms for doing public act 287 Public act does not constitute publication 288 Protection of purchaser in sale in course of public act 289 Modification when exclusive copyright licence in force Division 17 Judicial proceedings and legal advice 290 Acts done for judicial proceedings 291 Acts done for seeking legal advice Division 18 Miscellaneous 292 Temporary copies made in course of communication 293 Temporary copies made in user caching 294 Transfer of electronic copy of material 295 Reading or recitation of literary or dramatic works 296 Religious performances of literary, dramatic or musical works 297 Using adaptations of literary, dramatic or musical works 298 Copying published editions of authorial works in course of permitted use of authorial works 299 Private and domestic use 300 Recording performance, etc., in mistaken belief of authorisation Division 19 Notation of copies 301 When and how should copies be notated 302 Presumptions relating to notated copy 303 Making false or misleading notation Part 6 REMEDIES FOR AND BORDER ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AGAINST RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS Division 1 Remedies for rights infringements 304 Interpretation of this Division 305 Remedies 306 No damages for innocent rights infringement 307 Measure of damages 308 Measure of statutory damages 309 Order to deliver up infringing copies, etc. 310 Order to dispose of infringing copies, etc. 311 Procedure for disposal order 312 Remedy for infringement of copyright under section 151 Division 2 Remedies against network service providers Subdivision 1 Preliminary 313 Interpretation of this Division 314 Provisions relating to rights infringement not affected Subdivision 2 Restriction of remedies against rights infringements in course of providing network services 315 Restriction of remedies if conditions met 316 Conditions relating to infringement by transmission, routing or providing connections 317 Conditions relating to infringement by system caching 318 Conditions relating to infringement by storage 319 Conditions relating to infringement by locating information 320 Conditions do not require monitoring of network services, etc. 321 Evidence of compliance with conditions 322 Protection against liability for removing or disabling access to electronic copy under section 317, 318 or 319 323 Requirements relating to take‑down or restoration notices, etc. 324 Making false statements in take‑down or restoration notice Subdivision 3 Disabling access to flagrantly infringing online locations 325 Access disabling order 326 Procedure for application 327 Variation and revocation of order 328 Application of presumptions Division 3 Border enforcement measures against infringing goods Subdivision 1 Preliminary 329 Interpretation of this Division 330 Interpretation: what are infringing goods 331 Infringement actions to which this Division applies Subdivision 2 Seizure on request 332 Request to seize 333 Duration of request 334 Seizure on request 335 Notice to bring action after seizure Subdivision 3 Seizure without request 336 Inspection and seizure without request 337 Notice of seizure 338 Request to continue detention 339 Release of seized goods if request not made 340 Notice to bring action if request made Subdivision 4 Infringement action after seizure 341 Interpretation of this Subdivision 342 Time for requestor to bring action 343 Failure to bring action — release of seized goods 344 Failure to bring action — compensation for seizure 345 Infringement action — orders in relation to seized goods 346 Infringement action — release of seized goods if no contrary order made 347 Infringement action — compensation if action dismissed, etc. 348 Infringement action — further provisions Subdivision 5 Supplementary provisions on seizure 349 Security for request to seize or continue detention 350 Direction for secure storage 351 Inspecting, or removing sample of, seized goods 352 Power of customs officer, etc., to require information after seizure 353 Requestor may ask for identity, etc., of person connected with seized goods 354 Notice of release 355 Forfeiture by consent 356 Release by consent 357 Release for non‑compliance with directions, etc. 358 Unsecured expenses of Director‑General Subdivision 6 Powers to search for seizable infringing goods 359 Interpretation of this Subdivision 360 Powers to search vessels, aircrafts and vehicles 361 Examination and search of packages, etc. 362 Removal of packages, etc., to police station, etc., for examination and search 363 Search of travellers and baggage 364 Powers to enter certain premises 365 Obstruction of customs officers Subdivision 7 Administration of this Division 366 Appointment of persons to exercise powers and duties of customs officers 367 Delegation of Director‑General’s powers 368 Fees Part 7 ADDITIONAL RIGHTS RELATING TO COPYRIGHT WORKS AND PROTECTED PERFORMANCES Division 1 Author’s moral rights 369 Interpretation of this Division 370 Application 371 Right to be identified 372 Right to be identified — when should an author be identified 373 Right to be identified — how should an author be identified 374 Right to be identified — exception where author not known 375 Right to be identified — exception for certain authorial works 376 Right to be identified — exception for certain permitted uses 377 Right to be identified — transitional exceptions 378 Right against false identification 379 Right not to be falsely identified as author of copy of artistic work 380 Right not to have altered copy represented as unaltered 381 Moral rights not infringed by acts, etc., outside Singapore 382 Consent and formal waiver 383 Action for infringement of moral rights 384 Limitation of action 385 Remedies 386 Moral rights not assignable 387 Devolution on death 388 Other rights not affected Division 2 Performer’s moral rights 389 Interpretation of this Division 390 Application of moral rights 391 Right to be identified 392 Right to be identified — when should a performer be identified 393 Right to be identified — how should a performer be identified 394 Right to be identified — exception where performer not known 395 Right to be identified — exception for certain performances 396 Right to be identified — exception for certain permitted uses 397 Right to be identified — transitional exception 398 Right against false identification 399 Right not to have altered recording represented as unaltered 400 Moral rights not infringed by acts, etc., outside Singapore 401 Consent and formal waiver 402 Action for infringement of moral rights 403 Limitation of action 404 Remedies 405 Moral rights not assignable 406 Devolution on death 407 Other rights not affected Division 3 Protection of electronic rights management information 408 Interpretation of this Division 409 Interpretation: what is rights management information 410 Application 411 Prohibition on removing or altering rights management information 412 Prohibition on dealing with altered rights management information 413 Prohibition on dealing with protected copies after rights management information altered or removed 414 Action for infringement 415 Limitation of action 416 Remedies 417 Offence 418 Power to deal with protected copies, etc., in proceedings under section 417 419 Powers of entry, search and seizure 420 Disposal of seized evidence 421 Other rights not affected Division 4 Protection of technological measures 422 Interpretation of this Division 423 Interpretation: what are technological measures, access control measures and protection measures 424 Application 425 Prohibition on circumventing access control measure 426 Prohibition on dealing in circumventing devices 427 Prohibition on dealing in circumventing services 428 Exception — access by non‑profit library, etc., for purpose of acquisition 429 Exception — protecting personal information of network user 430 Exception — achieving interoperability between computer programs 431 Exception — research on encryption technology 432 Exception — preventing minor access to online material 433 Exception — testing of security flaws, etc., of computer 434 Exception — law enforcement, national defence, etc. 435 Exception — prescribed exceptions 436 Action for infringement 437 Limitation of action 438 Remedies 439 Offence 440 Power to deal with protected copies, etc., in proceedings under section 439 441 Powers of entry, search and seizure 442 Disposal of seized evidence 443 Other rights not affected Part 8 OFFENCES Division 1 Offences with commercial element 444 Commercial dealings, etc., in infringing copies 445 Infringement for commercial advantage, etc. 446 Making or possessing article capable of making infringing copies 447 Punishment Division 2 Offences without commercial element 448 Distribution, etc., of infringing copies of works 449 Wilful and significant rights infringement 450 Causing certain works or performances to be performed, seen or heard in public for private profit 451 Advertisement for supply of infringing copies of works 452 Punishment Division 3 Other provisions 453 Presumption where person possesses 5 or more infringing copies 454 Proof of subsistence of copyright and protection of performance, etc., by affidavit 455 Power to deal with infringing copies, etc., in proceedings under this Part 456 Powers of entry, search and seizure 457 Disposal of seized evidence Part 9 REGULATION OF COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS Division 1 Preliminary 458 Interpretation of this Part 459 Interpretation: what is a collective management organisation (CMO) and who are its members; what is a tariff scheme 460 Purpose of this Part Division 2 Class licensing of CMOs 461 CMOs must be licensed 462 Class licences 463 Financial penalty for non‑compliance with class licence conditions 464 Regulatory directions to CMOs and their officers 465 Cessation order 466 Reconsideration of decisions 467 Appeal Division 3 Review of tariff schemes, etc., by Copyright Tribunals 468 Interpretation: who is an intending user of a tariff scheme 469 Interpretation: when does a tariff scheme apply or not apply to a case 470 Review of proposed tariff scheme 471 Review of in‑force tariff scheme 472 Review after order made under section 470 or 471, etc. 473 Effect where tariff scheme remains in force pending reference or after Tribunal order 474 Application to Tribunal for permission to be granted on reasonable terms 475 Orders not to contradict regulatory directions or class licence conditions Division 4 Miscellaneous 476 CMO may apply to Tribunal on behalf of rights owners Part 10 COPYRIGHT TRIBUNALS Division 1 Preliminary 477 Interpretation of this Part 478 Agreements or awards not affected Division 2 Establishment of Tribunals 479 Establishment of Tribunals 480 Appointment of president, deputy presidents and panel 481 Appointment of secretary and other officers 482 Remuneration, allowances and expenses 483 Protection of members 484 Members and officers deemed to be public servants Division 3 Functions, procedure and evidence 485 Functions of Tribunals 486 Constitution of Tribunals 487 Reconstitution of Tribunal if member unable to continue 488 Sittings 489 Proceedings to be in public 490 Decisions how made 491 Evidence 492 Provisions on inquiries 493 Orders of Tribunal 494 Reference of question of law arising in case to Court 495 Representation 496 Costs 497 Regulations on procedure 498 Other provisions on procedure Part 11 MISCELLANEOUS 499 Groundless threats of legal proceedings for copyright infringement 500 Offences by bodies corporate, etc.
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Jurisdiction of courts 502 Application of Government Proceedings Act 1956 503 Application of Electronic Transactions Act 2010 504 Immunity of officers and employees of Government and IPOS 505 Regulations 506 Repeal of Copyright Act
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Related and consequential amendments, etc. Part 12 TRANSITIONAL Division 1 Preliminary 508 References in laws and documents to predecessor Acts and copyright thereunder Division 2 Works, acts, etc., before 1 July 1912 509 Interpretation of this Division and Division 3 510 What is a substituted right 511 No copyright in authorial works made before 1 July 1912 unless there is substituted right 512 Scope of copyright in dramatic or musical works made before 1 July 1912 depends on scope of substituted right 513 Copyright in contributions to periodicals made before 1 July 1912 subject to author’s right to publish in separate form 514 Assignments and grants made before 1 July 1912 Division 3 Works, acts, etc., before 10 April 1987 515 Authorial works first published before 10 April 1987 — no revival of copyright expiring before 10 April 1987 516 Authorial works made before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 109 517 Authorial works first published before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 110 518 Photographs taken before 10 April 1987 — who is the author 519 Photographs taken before 10 April 1987 — duration of copyright 520 Artistic works made before 10 April 1987 — no copyright if work is registrable design 521 Sound recordings made or first published before 10 April 1987 — modifications to section 120 522 Sound recordings made before 10 April 1987 — duration of copyright 523 Films made before 10 April 1987 — treatment 524 Assignments and licences made before 10 April 1987 in relation to authorial works, sound recordings and films to have similar effect 525 Authorial works made before 10 April 1987 — copyright reverts to author’s estate 25 years after death 526 Bequests by author who died before 10 April 1987 527 Reproduction of authorial work published before 10 April 1987 upon payment of royalties Division 4 Commercial rental arrangements in respect of copies bought before 16 April 1998 528 Copies of computer programs bought before 16 April 1998 529 Copies of sound recordings bought before 16 April 1998 Division 5 Copyright and protection expiring before 1 July 2004 530 No revival or extension of copyright in authorial work, sound recording or film expiring before 1 July 2004 531 No revival or extension of protection for performances ceasing to be protected before 1 July 2004 Division 6 Assignments and licences before 1 January 2005 532 Assignments and licences made before 1 January 2005 and relating to broadcasting and cable programmes Division 7 Works, performances, acts, etc., before 21 November 2021 533 No revival or extension of copyright in authorial work, sound recording or film expiring before 21 November 2021 534 Assignments and licences of copyright made on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 to have similar effect 535 Assignments of performers’ rights made before 21 November 2021 to have similar effect 536 Photographs taken on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 — who is the author 537 Photographs taken on or after 10 April 1987 and before 21 November 2021 — presumptions relating to authorship 538 Editions of authorial works published by Government before 21 November 2021 — no infringement of Government copyright 539 Deciding equitable remuneration payable under 1987 Act 540 Copyright Tribunals constituted under 1987 Act 541 Saving and transitional provisions Legislative History Abbreviations Reset Get Provisions Whole Document Copyright Act 2021 Status: Current version as at 26 Mar 2026 Timeline Subsidiary Legislation Amendment Annotation Loading... Actions Add to My Collections Amendments RSS Feed Document Provision 21 Nov 2021 Act 22 of 2021 31 Dec 2021 2020 RevEd 01 Apr 2022 Act 22 of 2021 01 Nov 2022 Amended by Act 31 of 2022 01 May 2024 Act 22 of 2021 25 Nov 2024 Amended by Act 32 of 2024 09 Mar 2025 Amended by Act 5 of 2025 Versions 09 Mar 2025 21 Nov 2021 31 Dec 2021 1 Apr 2022 1 Nov 2022 1 May 2024 25 Nov 2024 9 Mar 2025 or find current version as at Go Search within Legislation Exit Search Search Results Copyright Act 2021 2020 REVISED EDITION This revised edition incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 December 2021 and comes into operation on 31 December 2021 An Act to repeal and re‑enact the Copyright Act (Chapter 63 of the 2006 Revised Edition) to provide for copyright, the protection of performances and related rights, and to make related and consequential amendments to certain other Acts. [21 November 2021: Except Division 2 of Part 9 and sections
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(2) and (3) and
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(4)(c) and (10); 1 April 2022: Sections 501(2) and (3) and
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(10); 1 May 2024: Division 2 of Part 9 and section 507(4)(c)] PART 1 PRELIMINARY Short title and commencement 1. —(1) This Act is the Copyright Act 2021. (2) Division 2 of Part 9 and sections
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(2) and (3) and
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(4)(c) and (10) come into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette. Application to things existing before 21 November 2021
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Unless it expressly provides otherwise, this Act applies to a thing existing on 21 November 2021 as it applies to a thing coming into existence after that date. Extension of Act to reciprocating countries 3. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), regulations may prescribe that — (a) a country is a reciprocating country; and (b) this Act is extended so as to apply in relation to the country or its nationals — (i) generally or for specified classes of cases; and (ii) with or without modifications or exceptions. (2) A country may be prescribed as a reciprocating country only if — (a) in relation to works protected by copyright under the provisions of this Act — (i) the country and Singapore are both parties to a treaty, convention or other international agreement relating to copyright; or (ii) the Minister is satisfied that those works are or will be adequately protected under the law of the country; and (b) in relation to the performances protected under the provisions of this Act — (i) the country and Singapore are both parties to a treaty, convention or other international agreement relating to the protection of performances; or (ii) the Minister is satisfied that those performances are or will be adequately protected under the law of the country. (3) In this section and section 4, “national”, in relation to a country, means — (a) a national, citizen or resident of the country; or (b) a body incorporated or established under the law of the country. Exclusion of non‑reciprocating countries from Act 4. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), regulations may prescribe that — (a) a country is a non‑reciprocating country; and (b) either — (i) this Act does not apply in relation to the country or its nationals, whether generally or for specified classes of cases; or (ii) the application of this Act in relation to the country or its nationals is subject to modifications or exceptions. (2) A country may be prescribed as a non‑reciprocating country only if the Minister considers that the law of the country does not give adequate protection to — (a) works (or any class of works) protected by copyright under this Act; or (b) performances (or any class of performances) protected under this Act. (3) Without limiting subsection (2), the inadequacy of protection may relate to the nature of the work or performance, or the nationality, citizenship or country of residence of the person who made the work or gave the performance. (4) In making regulations under subsection (1)(b), the Minister must have regard to the nature and extent of the inadequacy mentioned in subsection (2). (5) Regulations under subsection (1) must not deprive a person of any rights acquired under this Act before the date on which the regulations are published in the Gazette. (6) In this section, “work” does not include a published edition of an authorial work. Saving for other laws
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—(1) Unless it expressly provides otherwise, this Act does not affect any right or privilege of any person (including the Government) under any other written law. (2) This Act does not affect the operation of the law relating to breaches of trust or confidence. Act binds Government 6. —(1) Unless it expressly provides otherwise, this Act binds the Government. (2) The Government is not liable to be prosecuted for an offence under this Act. Singapore Statutes Online FAQs Feedback Sitemap Report Vulnerability Privacy Statement Terms of Use © 2026 Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore, Last updated
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Mar 2026 Singapore Statutes Online is provided by the Legislation Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore.