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Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (as amended up to Act of July 11, 2012), Germany

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Year of Version 2012 Dates Adopted: May 23, 1949 Type of Text Constitution/Basic Law Subject Matter Other Notes The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, which is the Constitution of Germany, was adopted on May 23, 1949. The Constitution guarantees basic rights (Chapter I), defines competencies between the Federation and the States (Länder) (Chapter II) and specifies the powers and duties of the three branches of government (Chapters III-IX). As of 2012, there have been 59 amendments to the Constitution.

The Basic Law contains provisions on protection of copyright and industrial property rights (Article 73(1) & (9)). Furthermore, Article 14 guarantees protection of property rights in general.


Available Texts Main text(s) Main text(s) German Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland (in der Fassung vom 11. Juli 2012) PDF HTML
Related Legislation Supersedes (1 text(s)) Supersedes (1 text(s))
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany(DE117)
Is superseded by (3 text(s)) Is superseded by (3 text(s))
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (as amended up to Act of December 19, 2022) (DE304)
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (as amended up to Act of July 13, 2017) (DE228)
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (as amended up to Act of December 23, 2014) (DE227)


WIPO Lex No. DE189