Intellectual Property
Section 2
Copyright protection does not last forever. How long it does last for will
depend on the type of work. For example, if you write a book, copyright
will last for your lifetime and then for a further 70 years after your death.
Table 3 below shows how long copyright lasts for different types of work.
Table 3
Type of work Examples
Duration of
copyright protection
Literary works
Books, articles, examination
papers, librettos, lyrics,
translations of books,
compilations, critical
commentaries, tables,
computer programs and
transcripts.
The life of the author
of the work
PLUS
70 years after the death
of the author (if there are
joint authors, after the
death of the longer
living member of the
joint team).
Artistic works
Photographs, paintings,
drawings, sculptures,
buildings, collages,
jewellery, maps, charts,
plans, engravings and
lithographs.
The life of the artist
of the work
PLUS
70 years after the death
of the artist (if there are
joint artists, after the
death of the longer
living member of the
joint team).
Musical works Music (exclusive of any
words or actions which
go with it), and musical
arrangements.
7
The life of the composer
of the work
PLUS
70 years after the death
of the composer (if there
are joint composers, after
the death of the longer
living member of the
joint team).
