duration of copyright

The period of protection for intellectual property works (namely copyright works) protected by the Berne Convention - which includes literary works (or loosely speaking written works), artistic works (which includes photographs), dramatic, musical, and films is the life of the author plus 70 years, having been raised from 50 years by Council Directive 93/98. Where there are joint authors, the term is calculated by reference to the last surviving author. Performers' rights, rights in phonograms and broadcasts last for 50 years from the date the performance is recorded, and if the recording is broadcast within those 50 years, the duration of copyright will be calculated by reference to that date.

Usage: The work fell out of copyright in 2005, when the duration of copyright expired.

Related Words: copyright; Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 UK; intellectual property; copyright infringement; designs; patent; trade mark; joint authors; intellectual property rights; confidential information; trade secret.