Law on Copyright and Related Rights
Regulates authors’ and related-rights holders’ rights, use of works, contracts and protection. It helps when publishing text, photographs or music, distinguishing permission from statutory limitations.
Avangarda does not provide legal representation. These materials are here to inform and to make rights easier to understand. For a concrete legal procedure, contact a lawyer, legal aid service or the relevant institution.
Copyright / culture / use of creative works
The Law on Copyright and Related Rights protects original authorial works and related rights of performers, producers and other legally specified holders. It addresses moral and economic rights, uses of works, contracts, limitations, collective management and legal protection. An idea and a particular original work are different; statutory requirements must be checked before assuming protection.
Copyright arises when a qualifying work is created. Depositing a work with the Intellectual Property Office can support evidence, but is not compulsory registration that first creates the right. Authorship, ownership of a copy and permission to use a work are separate questions. Buying a photograph or book does not automatically authorise publication, reproduction or adaptation.
Before using another person’s text, image, music or recording, identify the rights holder and intended use. Check the permission or licence, its scope, contractual conditions and any applicable statutory exception. Availability online is not permission in itself. Quotation and educational use have conditions and limits; merely naming the author or describing the use as non-commercial is insufficient. Keep the contract, licence, correspondence and source information.
An author or other rights holder can examine remedies where use lacks an appropriate legal basis. The Office has specific institutional responsibilities but does not resolve every dispute or replace a court. For collective management, check the competent organisation, category of rights and tariff. Protection periods and the position of different related-rights holders are not identical, so one period must not be applied to every situation.
The Office’s current catalogue confirms Official Gazette RS 104/2009, 99/2011, 119/2012, 29/2016, a Constitutional Court decision, and 66/2019. A draft replacement law is not enacted legislation. Use the specific official Legal Information System text and check current implementing regulations, contracts and relevant special rules.
This is Avangarda’s editorial information overview, rather than the statutory text or advice for an individual case. This translation is editorial and is not an official translation of Serbian legislation. Check the current official text, special legislation and your documents for a specific situation, and obtain qualified legal assistance where needed.
What is this for?
Explains authorship, permitted use, licences, statutory exceptions and options for protecting rights.
Who can use it?
Authors, performers, other related-rights holders, publishers, media and users of works; their legal positions and rights differ.
When should it be used?
Before publishing or adapting another person’s work, negotiating a licence, using music or seeking protection against unauthorised use.