How long does copyright protection last?

As far as original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works created by an author whose identity is known are concerned, copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years from the end of the year of his/her death. Where there are joint authors of such a work, the 70 year period runs from the end of the year in which the last surviving author died.

There also exists a "published edition" right which lasts for 25 years. This protects the layout of the text, typography etc. It is therefore possible that the work itself is out of copyright, e.g. a nineteenth century novel, but that a particular edition of it may still have published edition protection.

There are other periods of protection for other types of material. If the material you wish to use or copy does not fall within the categories mentioned above, or you wish to copy photographs taken before 1988, please get further advice and assistance from the Information Protection & Security Manager.

If you are certain that the work you wish to use or copy is out of its period of protection, then you may deal with it freely. If it is still protected and your use or copying cannot be brought within one of the legally permitted acts (fair dealing, copying for examinations or for instruction) or covered by one of the University's licences, then prior written permission would need to be sought from the rights holder(s).