Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Browse our 1 legal question about Copyright in United Kingdom and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Copyright law in London, as throughout the United Kingdom, offers protection for 'original artistic works'. These can include novels, paintings, films, music and even computer programming code. Copyright gives the creator exclusive rights over their work for a fixed period of time, typically the length of the creator's life plus seventy years. These rights prevent others from using, distributing, or making adaptations of the work without the owner's consent.
You may need a copyright lawyer in scenarios such as when your copyrighted work has been reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without your permission. If you want to grant someone else the right to use your work under certain terms and conditions or transfer your copyright to another person or organisation, you will also need legal assistance. Lawyers also aid in cases of copyright disputes, for example if someone else is claiming ownership of a work that you have created.
The main legal framework for copyright issues in the United Kingdom is the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This Act specifies that copyright comes into existence as soon as there is a record, in any form, of what has been created. There is no official registration system. Anything you create is subject to copyright protection. It also includes measures against circumvention of technological copyright protection and falsely applying copyright notices.
In the United Kingdom, copyright typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. However, the duration can vary depending on the category of the work.
There is no official registration system in the UK – as soon as your original work is created and it is in a tangible form (written down or recorded in some way), it’s automatically protected by copyright.
Acknowledging the source doesn’t negate the need for permission. The use of copyrighted material without authorisation or a valid exception (e.g. fair dealing for the purpose of research or private study) may still infringe copyright.
Fair dealing is a legal term used to establish whether a use of copyright material is lawful or it infringes copyright. There is no statutory definition of fair dealing - it will always be a matter of fact, degree and interpretation in each case.
Copyright infringement can have both civil and criminal consequences. The copyright owner can sue for damages or loss of earnings deriving from your unauthorised use, or an injunction to stop you from continuing to use their work. Criminal charges can be severe, and potentially result in fines or imprisonment.
For additional support and resources, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in the UK is key. They provide detailed guides on copyright law and practice. You may also want to consult with a law firm specialising in copyright law or intellectual property rights.
If you need legal assistance regarding copyright, you should consult with a legal professional specialising in copyright law. They can provide you with tailored advice based on your specific circumstances. Remember to bring any relevant documents, evidence, or details about the copyrighted work and the alleged infringement. A thorough understanding of your situation will lead to more accurate and helpful advice.
