Copyright
Protecting original works under copyright safeguards the creative heart of your business, giving you exclusive control of your creations.
We understand the importance of strong copyright protection across borders, whatever creative industry you’re in. Whether you’re an artist, inventor, author or entrepreneur, we protect your intellectual property from duplication without permission across the UK, US, Europe and beyond, and explore ways to monetise your works.
Our dedicated team advises on best practices for enforcing copyrights should infringement occur, helping you stay confident in the face of legal challenges. Because of the detailed nuances between filing in the UK and US, having access to our solicitors and attorneys in-house means we understand the intricacies of both systems and existing copyrights and can successfully protect your content across international markets. This dual, integrated approach helps to avoid gaps in protection and ensures all necessary filings are completed in a coordinated and timely fashion. Having a single point of contact working across multiple jurisdictions and timescales saves time and improves effective communication.
Whether you are an individual creator or a global enterprise, we offer clear, friendly guidance on infringement matters and ongoing protection. Our goal is to save you time, reduce risks and let you focus on what you do best, creating. If infringement does occur, having US-registered copyright attorneys on the team means we pursue enforcement in US courts directly without relying on separate counsel.
Whether it’s in the form of online infringement, illegal reproductions or derivative works, let our team of copyright experts be your first line of legal copyright defence, no matter where you are in the world. Ready to start the conversation? Contact us today.
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FAQs
What is copyright law?
Copyright law in the UK is governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA). It provides creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, including films, broadcasts, sound recordings and publications, the right to control the ways in which their material may be used.
To speak with one of our copyright legal team, contact us here or give us a call.
What can you cover with copyright?
This is a list of creative works currently covered under copyright:
Books, articles, poetry, letters, computer code, plays, scripts, choreography, screenplays, compositions, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, architecture, works of artistic craftsmanship, sound recordings, movies, animations, video clips, and typographical arrangements.
What things cannot be copyrighted?
This is a list of creative works not currently covered under copyright:
Concepts and ideas, names, titles, and short phrases, raw facts and data, mathematical formulas, works that have not been recorded in a tangible form, public domain works, and functional designs intended to be mass produced.
How long does a copyright last?
Copyright protects different types of creative work for different lengths of time, and the rules can vary depending on the country. In the UK, here’s a simple breakdown of how long copyright typically lasts:
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Books, plays, music, and artwork are usually protected for 70 years after the creator has died. If more than one person created the work, the 70 years starts from the death of the last surviving creator.
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Sound recordings and music tracks are protected for 70 years from when they were first released.
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Films are a little more complex. Copyright lasts for 70 years after the deaths of the key people involved; the director, the writer of the screenplay, and the composer of any original music created for the film.
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Broadcasts, like television or radio programmes, are protected for 50 years from the date they were first aired.
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The layout or design of published books, sheet music, or similar materials is protected for 25 years from the date they were first published.
This means copyright can continue to protect creative work long after it’s been made, helping to ensure that creators and their beneficiaries can benefit from their ideas.
What are the 5 top ways people break copyright law?
There are a host of ways people intentionally and often unintentionally break copyright law. Below are just a few examples:
Using images from the internet without proper licensing or attribution, downloading, sharing, or distributing copyrighted materials like music, movies, books, software, or games without permission, Copying blog posts, articles, or other written materials from books or websites and using them in your work without proper licensing or credit, creating adaptations of original works like fan fiction, remixes, or re-edits, especially if distributed publicly or commercially, and without the original creator’s consent, playing copyrighted music in public venues (like restaurants or gyms) or screening films publicly without a license.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent yourself and others from breaking copyright law.Copyright issues can be avoided with the right advice and a little forward planning. Always check if you need a licence before using someone else’s work, and consider using royalty-free or licensed materials where possible.
If you’re creating content for business or have noticed another organisation or individual using your content without your consent, we can guide you through best practices and help put the proper permissions or protections in place. Whether you’re a small business, a creative professional, or a multinational organisation, we’re here to help you stay compliant and protect your reputation. Contact us today to find out how and speak with one of our copyright professionals.
Does US copyright apply in the UK?
Yes. Copyright is protected internationally by the Berne Convention. If copyright-protected works are created in the US, the UK has an obligation to afford an equivalent level of protection to that which would be afforded in the US.
