Q. How long does copyright last for?

As a general guideline copyright lasts 70 years after the author/creator’s death. If the work has several authors, the period of protection will last for 70 years following the death of the last surviving author.

However there are a few exceptions to this 70 year rule including:

• Photographs taken on or after 1 August 1989: Copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the photographer
• Photographs taken before 1 August 1989: subject to varying periods of copyright
• Dramatic and musical work with no named author: Copyright lasts for 70 years from date of publication
• Published sound recordings: Copyright lasts for 70 years from recording being made
• Unpublished sound recordings: Copyright lasts for 50 years from recording being made
• Films: Copyright lasts for 70 years from the death of the last surviving author out of the director, producer, author of screenplay, composer of soundtrack
• Broadcasts: Copyright lasts for 50 years from date of broadcast
• Typographical layout: Copyright lasts for25 years from publication
• Crown copyright: Copyright lasts for 125 years from publication, subject to a waiver