The Directive 2000/31/EC (E-Commerce Directive) is the legal basis governing the liability of Internet Services Providers (ISPs) in the EU Member States and includes a conditional safe harbour. Not all Member States have transposed the relevant articles consistently, leading to divergent national case law that could cause legal insecurity on an EU level.
The E-Commerce Law of 2004 and its amendment of 2007 transpose the E-Commerce Directive into Cypriot law. The Law aims to promote the free movement of information society services between the Republic of Cyprus and EU/EEA members, with particular emphasis on the establishment of a clear framework for the liability of intermediaries.

The Directive 2000/31/EC (E-Commerce Directive) is the legal basis governing the liability of Internet Services Providers (ISPs) in the EU Member States and includes a conditional safe harbour. Not all Member States have transposed the relevant articles consistently, leading to divergent national case law that could cause legal insecurity on an EU level.
The E-Commerce Law of 2004 and its amendment of 2007 transpose the E-Commerce Directive into Cypriot law. The Law aims to promote the free movement of information society services between the Republic of Cyprus and EU/EEA members, with particular emphasis on the establishment of a clear framework for the liability of intermediaries.

The EU Directive on Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) covers traditional broadcasting services as well as audiovisual media services provided on-demand, including via the Internet. Art. 13.1 provides for Member States to secure a minimum 30% share of European works in the catalogues as well as "ensuring prominence" of those works. "Prominence" involves promoting European works by facilitating access to such works using any appropriate means to ensure their prominence. The Directive has been implemented by Member States in different ways, ranging from very extensive and detailed measures to a mere reference to the general obligation to promote European works.
In Cyprus, the EU Directive was transposed into domestic law through the amendment of Law 7(I)/1998 of May 2021 (197(I)/2021). According to Art. Art. 31Α of the law, audiovisual service providers are required to retain at least 30% of their catalogues for European works and to display them prominently. Cyprus has not implemented financial contribution obligations to VOD service providers.

It is reported that Cyprus does not mandate functional separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. However, obligated companies (i.e. companies that have been designated as such by a decision of the Commissioner for a relevant market) must prepare and make available to the Commissioner their separate accounts of revenues and costs of supply of goods and/or services.

It is reported that the Cyprus Inland Telecommunications Authority (Cyta), the executive authority for the supervision and administration of services in the telecommunications sector, is independent from the government in the decision-making process.

It is reported that Cyprus has not established restrictions on ownership control of foreign investment in sectors relevant to the digital economy.

Under Regulation 2019/452, Member States may maintain their existing investment screening mechanisms (22 Member States currently do), adopt new ones or remain without such national mechanisms. The Commission keeps an up-to-date list of screening laws in the EU. Member States must notify the Commission, which may issue an opinion when an investment threatens the security or public order of more than one Member State or when an investment could undermine a strategic project or programme of interest to the whole EU, such as Horizon 2020 or Galileo. The final decision remains with the Member State.
Cyprus currently lacks a horizontal mandatory foreign investment screening mechanism for FDI, aside from sector-specific licenses issued by relevant ministries. However, the country is drafting legislation in line with EU regulations to establish an investment screening mechanism under the Ministry of Finance, which is expected to pass in 2024.
In the meantime, Decision 90.013 of the Council of Ministers approved the Fast-Track Business Activation Mechanism, which implements an FDI screening for foreign companies. This mechanism applies to certain sectors, including telecommunications, where a regulatory and licensing regime is enforced under local legislation

Cyprus is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

There is no general principle for the use of copyright-protected material comparable to the fair use/fair dealing principles. Directive 2001/29/EC defines an optional but exhaustive set of limitations from the author´s exclusive rights under the control of the “three-step test” in line with the Berne Convention that establishes three cumulative conditions to the limitations and exceptions of a copyright holder’s rights. The Directive has been transposed by Member States with significant freedom.
Cyprus has a clear regime of copyright exceptions that follows the fair dealing model, allowing others to make lawful use of copyrighted works without obtaining permission. The Copyright and Related Rights Law outlines the limitations and permitted acts that align with international standards and regulations. Art. 7 of the Act specifies that no copyright infringement occurs through fair dealing for purposes of research, private use, criticism or review, or the reporting of current events, provided that, if such use is made in public, it is accompanied by an acknowledgment of the title of the work and its authorship.

It is reported that from 2017 to 2022, Cyprus had the highest rates of internet piracy among EU member states. Cyprus notably leads in piracy rates for live sports events, significantly surpassing the EU average, with Portugal and Greece close behind. Moreover, it is reported that in 2022, pirated TV content experienced a notable increase, with TV shows, series, and on-demand movies being the most commonly pirated genres.

Cyprus and the European Union have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty. Cyprus acceded to the Treaty on 4 August 2003, with its provisions coming into force on 4 November 2003. Subsequently, the European Union ratified the Treaty on 14 December 2009, and it entered into effect on 14 March 2010.

Cyprus and the European Union have adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Cyprus acceded to the Treaty on 2 September 2005, with its provisions coming into force on 2 December 2005. Subsequently, the European Union ratified the Treaty on 14 December 2009, and it entered into effect on 14 March 2010.

The Directive 2016/943 on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) is key in harmonising national laws concerning trade secrets. Cyprus transposed the Directive through a series of amendments to existing legislation in 2020.

It is reported that passive sharing is mandated and is effective in both the mobile (based on commercial agreements) and fixed sectors. In addition, Directive 2014/61/EU (Art. 3.2) establishes that Member States shall ensure that, upon written request of an undertaking providing or authorised to provide public communications networks, any network operator must meet all reasonable requests for access to its physical infrastructure under fair and reasonable terms and conditions, including price, with a view to deploying elements of high-speed electronic communications networks. Such written request shall specify the elements of the project for which the access is requested, including a specific time frame.

The Cypriot State owns the majority of shares of the Cypriot Telecommunications Authority (Cyta), which is the incumbent telecom operator.