Copyright guide: how long does copyright last?
Duration of copyright may depend upon whether a work is published or unpublished or whether the creator is known/unknown
Copyright generally exists in a work for a period of 70 years literary, dramatic, artistic and musical works, films and video recordings following the death of the author. If the work has several authors, the period of protection will last for 70 years following the death of the last surviving author. Copyright lasts 50 years for sound recordings and broadcasts and 25 years for the typographical arrangement of published editions
| Type of material | Duration of copyright |
|---|---|
| Literary & artistic works | 70 yrs from death of author If several authors 70 years following death of last surviving author |
| Dramatic & musical work | 70 yrs from publication if no named author |
| Sound recordings | 50 yrs from date of recording *Changing to 70 |
| Films | 70 yrs from last to die of: director, producer, author of screenplay, composer of soundtrack |
| Broadcasts | 50 yrs from date of broadcast |
| Typographical layout | 25 yrs from publication |
| Crown Copyright | 125 yrs from publication but subject to a waiver |
| Unpublished works | 70 yrs from death of author |