Practice Area

Copyrights

Copyright protects original expression fixed in a tangible form — where intellectual effort and a degree of creativity meet the subject-matter criteria refined by courts. It is intellectual property, distinct from industrial property, yet both form the broader IP landscape.

Literary, artistic & software works
Economic & moral rights
Neighboring performer rights
Assignment & licensing
02

Protected Works

Copyright subsists in literary, dramatic, artistic, musical, sound recording, and cinematograph works. Computer programs are treated as literary works. Neighboring rights protect performers in public performances of literary, musical, and dramatic works, including broadcasting reproduction rights.

03

Term of Protection

For literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic works, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus sixty years from the calendar year following death. For sound recordings, cinematograph works, and certain government or international organization works, protection runs sixty years from the year of first publication.

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