Case C‑13/20

Top System SA

v

État belge

(Request for a preliminary ruling from the Cour d’appel de Bruxelles)

Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 6 October 2021

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Copyright and related rights – Legal protection of computer programs – Directive 91/250/EEC – Article 5 – Exceptions to the restricted acts – Acts necessary to enable the lawful purchaser to correct errors – Concept – Article 6 – Decompilation – Conditions)

1. Approximation of laws – Copyright and related rights – Directive 91/250 – Legal protection of computer programs – Scope

   (Council Directive 91/250, Art. 1(2))

   (see paragraph 36)

2. Approximation of laws – Copyright and related rights – Directive 91/250 – Legal protection of computer programs – Exceptions to the restricted acts – Possibility for a lawful purchaser to decompile all or part of the acquired program in order to correct errors

   (Council Directive 91/250, recitals 19 and 20 and Arts 4(a) and (b), 5(1) and 6)

   (see paragraphs 37-43, 46, 48, 49, 53, operative part 1)

3. Approximation of laws – Copyright and related rights – Directive 91/250 – Legal protection of computer programs – Exceptions to the restricted acts – Possibility for a lawful purchaser to decompile the acquired program in order to correct errors affecting the operation thereof – Limits

   (Council Directive 91/250, recital 17 and Arts 4(a) and (b), 5(1) and 6)

   (see paragraphs 55-57, 61, 64, 66-68, 74, operative part 2)

See the text of the decision.