Best Copyright Lawyers in Ukmerge

About Copyright Law in Ukmerge, Republic of Lithuania

Copyright in Ukmerge is governed by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania and harmonized with European Union standards. It protects original literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, software, architectural, photographic, and other creative works. Protection arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible or digital form. No government registration is required to obtain copyright in Lithuania.

Authors enjoy economic rights, such as the rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, communicate to the public, make available online, translate, and adapt the work. Authors also hold moral rights, including the right to be identified as the author and to object to derogatory treatment of the work. Moral rights in Lithuania are strong, personal, and generally non transferable, while economic rights can be licensed or assigned.

As a rule of thumb, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Related rights of performers, producers of phonograms, and broadcasting organizations have their own terms set by law. Software is protected as a literary work. Databases can be protected by copyright if they are original, and a separate sui generis database right can apply to substantial investment in obtaining, verifying, or presenting the contents.

The same national rules apply in Ukmerge as anywhere else in Lithuania. Collective management organizations operate nationally and can help authors and rightsholders license uses such as public performance and broadcasting.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You received a demand letter alleging infringement and need to assess your risks, possible defenses, and settlement options.

You found your photos, music, software, or texts used without permission and want to stop the use, secure takedowns, and claim compensation.

You run a business in Ukmerge and need the correct licenses for background music, in store screens, events, or streaming content in your premises.

You are starting a website, app, or SaaS and need user generated content terms, notice and takedown workflows, and licenses for fonts, images, and code.

You need to draft or negotiate copyright licenses, assignment agreements, production agreements, or publishing contracts.

You commissioned creative work and want to ensure you actually own the necessary rights to use it commercially.

You are an employee or contractor creating works and want fair remuneration, clear credit, and clarity on who owns what.

You plan to use Creative Commons materials, open source software, or stock content and want to comply with license conditions.

You face cross border issues when Lithuanian works are used abroad or foreign works are used in Lithuania, including platform takedowns and enforcement.

You need urgent court measures, such as evidence preservation or preliminary injunctions, to prevent ongoing harm.

Local Laws Overview

Core statute. The Law on Copyright and Related Rights of the Republic of Lithuania sets out the scope of protected subject matter, authorship, moral and economic rights, limitations and exceptions, collective management, and enforcement.

EU alignment. Lithuanian copyright law is harmonized with EU directives, including rules on information society services, collective rights management, orphan works, and online uses. International treaties such as the Berne Convention and TRIPS also apply.

Moral rights. Authors have strong moral rights to authorship, name, and integrity. These rights are personal and generally cannot be waived or assigned, though they can be enforced by heirs after death.

Economic rights and transfers. Economic rights can be licensed or assigned. Exclusive transfers and exclusive licenses should be in writing, clearly specifying the rights, territory, term, and remuneration. Non exclusive licenses should also be documented for clarity.

Employment and commissioned works. Ownership depends on the law and the contract. In practice, contracts often transfer or license economic rights to the employer or commissioner. Software created by employees is typically treated under specific provisions. Always review the agreement to confirm who owns what and for how long.

Term. In general, life of the author plus 70 years for copyright. Related rights have separate terms set by statute. Terms for audiovisual and joint works can have special rules.

Exceptions and limitations. Lithuanian law provides specific exceptions, including quotation with attribution, use for teaching and research under certain conditions, library and archive uses, private copying with levies, news reporting, parody caricature pastiche, and temporary technical copies. There is no US style fair use. Rely only on the exceptions expressly provided by Lithuanian law.

Official texts. Official texts of laws, court decisions, and administrative documents are typically excluded from copyright protection. Check the law for the exact scope.

Online service providers. Hosting providers can benefit from safe harbor if they meet conditions and act expeditiously upon notice. Notice and takedown practices follow EU and Lithuanian rules, and platform specific procedures.

Collective management. Organizations such as LATGA, AGATA, and AVAKA administer rights and tariffs for public performance, broadcasting, and other uses. Businesses in Ukmerge that play music or show audiovisual content usually need licenses from the relevant organizations.

Enforcement and forums. Civil copyright disputes are typically heard by specialized courts, with many IP matters concentrated in Vilnius Regional Court as a court of first instance. Remedies can include injunctions, removal or destruction of infringing goods, damages or an alternative lump sum based on a hypothetical license fee, publication of the decision, and costs. Criminal liability can apply to willful, commercial scale infringements under the Criminal Code. Administrative liability may apply in some scenarios.

Evidence and proof. Because there is no state registration system for copyright, authors often rely on dated drafts, emails, deposit with collective management organizations, notarial time stamps, and qualified electronic time stamps to evidence authorship and creation date.

Customs measures. Lithuanian Customs can act against pirated goods at the border under EU rules when rightsholders file the appropriate application for action.

Language and filings. Court proceedings and filings are in Lithuanian. Contracts can be in other languages, but Lithuanian versions may be required for dealings with authorities and courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What works are protected by copyright in Lithuania

Original literary, artistic, musical, dramatic, audiovisual, photographic, architectural, applied art, software, and other creative works are protected when they are fixed in a tangible or digital form. Titles and short slogans by themselves may not qualify. Ideas, methods, and facts are not protected, only the original expression.

Do I need to register my work to get protection

No. Copyright arises automatically upon creation in Lithuania. There is no government copyright registry. To prove authorship and date, keep drafts, raw files with metadata, emails, contracts, invoices, and consider notarial or qualified electronic time stamps.

How long does copyright last

As a general rule, it lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For related rights such as performers, phonogram producers, and broadcasters, different statutory terms apply. For audiovisual works and joint authorship, special rules may determine the term.

Who owns works created by employees or contractors

Ownership depends on the law and the contract. Employers often receive economic rights to works created in the course of employment, especially for software, but the scope and term should be set out in writing. For commissioned works, rights usually remain with the author unless the contract transfers them. Moral rights stay with the author.

Can I use images or music from the internet if I credit the author

Credit alone is not enough. You need permission unless your use falls within a specific statutory exception or the content is licensed for your use, such as under a suitable Creative Commons license. Always verify license scope, including commercial use, modifications, and attribution requirements.

What are the main exceptions I can rely on

Common exceptions include quotation with proper attribution, uses for teaching and research within limits, library and archive uses, private copying for personal use with levies, news reporting, parody caricature pastiche, and temporary technical copies. Each exception has conditions. If in doubt, seek advice.

How do I license my work in Lithuania

You can license directly through a written agreement or join a collective management organization that licenses certain uses on your behalf. For online content, you can use standardized licenses like Creative Commons, but ensure they fit your goals and do not conflict with any collective management arrangements.

I received a copyright claim or notice. What should I do

Do not ignore it. Preserve evidence, do not delete files, and do not admit liability before you assess the facts. Note deadlines in the letter. Contact a lawyer to evaluate the claim, possible defenses, and response strategy. If the claim is on a platform, follow the platform process and consider a counternotice if appropriate.

How can I remove infringing content posted online

Gather evidence such as URLs, screenshots with timestamps, and copies of the content. Send a clear takedown notice to the platform or host with your details, proof of rights, and a description of the infringement. If the platform does not act or the infringement is significant, consider court measures or contacting the infringer through counsel.

What remedies and damages are available if my rights are infringed

Civil remedies can include injunctions, removal or destruction of infringing copies, damages based on your actual loss and infringer profits, or an alternative lump sum based on the hypothetical license fee as permitted by law, plus costs. Aggravated cases can lead to criminal liability. The exact outcome depends on the facts and evidence.

Additional Resources

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. Sets national copyright policy, oversees collective management, and provides guidance on legal frameworks.

LATGA. Lithuanian Copyright Protection Association for authors. Manages rights and tariffs for uses such as public performance and reproduction of literary and artistic works.

AGATA. Neighbouring rights association for performers and producers of phonograms. Licenses public performance and broadcasting of recorded music.

AVAKA. Audiovisual authors rights association. Manages rights for screenwriters, directors, and other audiovisual authors.

Vilnius Regional Court. Specialized court that typically hears many intellectual property and copyright cases at first instance.

Lithuanian Customs. Handles border measures against pirated and counterfeit goods under EU rules when rightsholders file applications for action.

Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania. Sector regulator with roles related to electronic communications and online services, useful for understanding platform responsibilities.

Lithuanian Police and the Prosecutor General Office. Contact points for criminal complaints in serious infringement cases.

Ukmerge Public Library and cultural institutions. Useful for local education and research uses, including guidance on lawful access to resources and copyright awareness.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether you seek permission, want to enforce your rights, need a defense strategy, or must set up compliant licensing for your business in Ukmerge.

Collect evidence. Keep originals, drafts, metadata, contracts, invoices, and screenshots with timestamps. Consider a notarial or qualified electronic time stamp for key files.

Audit your uses. List all content you use or plan to use, where it comes from, and what licenses you have. Identify gaps that need permissions.

Engage with the right organizations. If you operate a venue or business that plays music or shows video, contact LATGA, AGATA, and AVAKA to secure the appropriate licenses.

Seek legal advice early. Consult a Lithuanian lawyer experienced in copyright to assess risks, structure licenses, and plan enforcement or defense. Many matters can be handled efficiently by phone or video if you are in Ukmerge.

Document agreements. Use clear written contracts for assignments and licenses, specifying rights, media, territory, term, exclusivity, and remuneration. Keep signed copies and track renewals.

Plan for online issues. Set up notice and takedown procedures for your website or app, include user generated content terms, and train staff on handling rights requests.

Consider alternative resolution. For some disputes, negotiation or mediation can achieve quick, cost effective outcomes while preserving relationships.

This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. For decisions about your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer in the Republic of Lithuania.