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Copyright Act 1994

Acts permitted in relation to copyright works - Computer programs, sound recordings, and films

80C: Observing, studying, or testing of computer program

You could also call this:

"Using a computer program to learn how it works"

Illustration for Copyright Act 1994

You can use a computer program to see how it works without breaking copyright laws. You are allowed to load, display, run, transmit, or store the program to understand the ideas behind it. This is okay as long as you are using the program in a way you are allowed to.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1704656.

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80B: Copying or adapting computer program if necessary for lawful use, or

"Copying a computer program is okay if you need to fix it to use it properly"

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80D: Certain contractual terms relating to use of computer programs have no effect, or

"Some computer program agreements can't stop you doing things the law allows"

Part 3Acts permitted in relation to copyright works
Computer programs, sound recordings, and films

80CObserving, studying, or testing of computer program

  1. The lawful user of a computer program (A) does not infringe copyright in it by observing, studying, or testing the functioning of the program in order to determine the ideas and principles that underlie any element of the program if A does so while performing the acts of loading, displaying, running, transmitting, or storing the program that A is entitled to do.

Notes
  • Section 80C: inserted, on , by section 43 of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 27).