Introduction

The German National Library Law (DNBG) defines which media works are affected (§ 3 (3): Media works in non-physical form are all works in public networks) and how they are to be submitted (§ 14 (3): The parties concerned should submit a single copy of media works in non-physical form). It is also stipulated who is covered by the submission obligation (§ 15: The obligation to submit works extends to persons who are entitled to disseminate the media work or to make it publicly accessible and whose headquarters, place of business or main domicile is in Germany).

The Legal Deposit Regulation (PflAV) contain details pertaining to the collection of online publications. It covers the conditions under which the online publications are to be collected, the restrictions resulting from automatic collection processes and a rough outline of the media works not to be collected. The restrictions are set out in greater detail in the collection guidelines. The main restrictions concern all online publications which are not distributed in public networks, which are only of private interest or which merely serve commercial, business or in-company purposes. Further restrictions concern films in which the emphasis is not on the music, digital radio broadcasts, audio files derived from radio productions, games, demonstration versions only available for a short period and beta versions.

Agreement on the reproduction of copy-protected works (available only in German)
Law on copyright and related rights of legal protection (available only in German)