Guidance

Imposition of penalties for copyright infringement

Copyright and neighbouring right are infringed by anyone who, without the beneficiary’s permission:

• makes, causes or allows another person to perform an act which is controlled by copyright;
• imports in the Republic of Cyprus for use, excluding individual or household use;
• exports from the Republic of Cyprus for use, excluding individual or household use;
• distributes commercially;
• sells;
• leases;
• lends;
• transmits to the public;
• publicly broadcasts or displays;
• advertises any object.

The holder of copyright and neighbouring right may file an action for the infringement of the said right.

In case where the court finds an infringement of copyright or neighbouring right, it may, among others, impose:

• a fine not exceeding fifty-nine thousand eight hundred and one euro (€59,801);
• imprisonment not exceeding three (3) years;
• or both of these penalties.

Respectively, one commits an offence and is liable to the above penalties, anyone who, without the beneficiary’s permission:

• manufactures, imports, distributes, sells, leases, advertises for sale or lease or holds for commercial purposes, devices, products or components or provides services with the ultimate goal of eliminating technological measures;
• removes or distorts electronic information, distributes, imports, broadcasts, presents to the public, makes available to the public works or other protected objects from which electronic information has been removed or distorted without permission.

It is noted that the said fine may amount up to eighty thousand euro (€80.000) in case where the copyright of any copy is infringed.