Copyright Act 1994

Acts permitted in relation to copyright works - Communication works

89: Provision of subtitled copies of communication work

You could also call this:

"Getting subtitled copies of shows and movies if you're deaf or hard of hearing"

You can get copies of communication works with subtitles if you are deaf or hard of hearing. A special group can make these copies without breaking copyright rules. This group must not be making a profit. You can get these copies from a group that is allowed to make them. This group is chosen by a regulation made under the Copyright Act 1994. The group helps people who are physically or mentally disabled. The group that makes these copies must follow the rules. It must not be a group that is established or run to make a profit. You can find more information about the rules in the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM346235.

This page was last updated on 3 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Rights and equality > Anti-discriminationArts and culture > Arts fundingHealth and wellbeing > Public health

88: Reception and retransmission of broadcast in cable programme service, or

"Receiving and sending on TV shows and radio programmes through cable without breaking copyright rules"

90: Recording for archival purposes, or

"Copying for archives is allowed if it's for a non-profit group."

Part 3Acts permitted in relation to copyright works
Communication works

89Provision of subtitled copies of communication work

A body prescribed by regulation made under this Act may, for the purpose of providing people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or physically or mentally disabled in any other way, with copies that are subtitled or otherwise modified for their special needs, make copies of a communication work and issue copies to the public, without infringing any copyright in the communication work or in any work included in the communication work.
A body must not be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) if it is established or conducted for profit.

Notes

Section 89: substituted, on 31 October 2008, by section 50 of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 27).