Intellectual Property
Section 2
Type of work Examples
Duration of
copyright protection
Dramatic
works
Plays, scripts (for plays),
screenplays (for films),
dances and mimes.
The life of the author/
choreographer of the work
PLUS
70 years after the death of the
author/choreographer (if there
are joint authors/ choreographers,
after the death of the longer
living member of the joint team).
Typographical
arrangements
The way that a literary,
dramatic or musical work
such as a book or sheet
music is set out.
25 years from the end of the year
in which the edition was first
published.
Films
Any recordings showing
moving images and film
soundtracks.
70 years from the death
of the last to die of:
• the director;
• the author of the screenplay;
• the author of the dialogue; and
• the composer of the music for
the film.
Sound
recordings
Anything from which
recorded sound can be
reproduced e.g. CDs,
vinyl albums, an audio
book, a DVD of a play,
etc.
70 years from the end of the year
in which the recording was first
made.
OR
If published in this time, 70
years from the end of the year of
publication.
OR
If the recording is not published
during the 70 year period but it is
played in public or communicated
to the public in that time, 70 years
from that moment.
Broadcasts
Transmissions of
television and radio
programmes.
50 years from the end of the year
in which the programme is first
transmitted.
8
