In the UK, the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work are protected under the legislation that is the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
This means that people can control the way their material can used e.g. copying, adapting, issuing, renting or lending copies to the public, for broadcasting or for public performance.
So, what types of work are protected?
It protects a range of works including (but not limited to):
- Literary works – such as novels, articles, manuals, leaflets, song lyrics, computer programs and databases
- Artistic works – such as technical drawings, logos, paintings, photographs and sculptures
- Dramatic works – such as plays
- Musical works – such as musical compositions
- Typographical arrangement of published editions – such as magazines and periodicals
- Sound recordings – this includes a recording of another copyright protected work e.g. musical and literary
- Films
Copyright is an automatic right – this means that you do not need to formally register your rights to own them. However, for your work to qualify for copyright protection, it needs to be original and exhibit a degree of labour, skill and judgement.
At LOVEN, our copyright services can provide you with:
- Advice on copyright infringement
- Advice on fair dealing provisions
- Drafting suitable Copyright notices
- Advice on obtaining permission from copyright owners
If you require any help with copyright, please get in touch by calling 01522 801111, or for more information please visit our resource copyright help page.
But what about industrial designs…?
Like other forms of copyright, when industrial designs are created, no registration is required. However, it covers only the copying of your particular design. Being similar is not enough. In the UK, unregistered design rights last for ten years from when the product is first marketed but with two provisions:
1) It cannot last for more than fifteen years from when it was first recorded in a design document or model
2) For the last five years of protection, third parties reproduce the design provided they agree to take a licence.