Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor
The Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (Federal Copyright Law) governs the protection of literary, artistic, and scientific works in Mexico. The law protects original creative expressions fixed in any tangible medium, granting authors exclusive rights of reproduction, distribution, public performance, and adaptation. It addresses copyright registration, collective management organizations, fair use exceptions, and the duration of copyright protection (generally life of the author plus 100 years). The law has been amended to address digital technologies and the internet.
Legal area: Intellectual property law protects creations of the mind, including patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets.
Year enacted: 1996
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/ley_federal_derecho_autor.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 1-3: Object and scope of copyright (objeto del derecho de autor)
- Art. 10-15: Works eligible for protection (obras protegibles)
- Art. 27-36: Exclusive rights of the author (derechos exclusivos)
- Art. 41-49: Limitations and exceptions (limitaciones y excepciones)
- Art. 50-56: Duration of copyright (duración del derecho de autor)
- Art. 57-65: Copyright registration (registro de derechos de autor)
- Art. 110-120: Collective management organizations (organismos de gestión colectiva)
Significance
The Copyright Law is the primary statute for copyright protection in Mexico, providing one of the longest copyright durations in the world (life plus 100 years). The law has been amended to address digital rights management, internet service provider liability, and the protection of digital content. Mexico’s copyright framework has been influenced by international treaties including the Berne Convention and the USMCA (T-MEC).