Chile Advances Bill to Strengthen Protection of Digital Copyright

Chile has taken another step towards modernising its copyright framework, as the Chamber of Deputies approved Bill No. 14,767-03 and forwarded it to the Senate for further consideration. The proposed legislation would amend Copyright Law No. 17,336 by introducing a legal definition of technological protection measures (TPMs) and establishing liability for their circumvention.

The bill seeks to strengthen the protection of digital content by introducing criminal liability for the commercial circumvention of TPMs, as well as for manufacturing, distributing or providing devices and services intended to facilitate such circumvention. Other infringements would be subject to civil liability. At the same time, the proposal safeguards legitimate uses by preserving exceptions for authorised activities, works in the public domain, and the exercise of existing copyright exceptions.

The reform forms part of Chile's broader efforts to align its copyright legislation with international standards and reinforce the protection of digital works and creative industries. The Senate's Economy Committee began reviewing the bill on 21 July 2026, and the legislative process is ongoing.