List of countries' copyright length

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This is a list of different countries and the length of their standard copyright in years. Most countries now have copyright terms that are based on the death dates of the individual authors. Laws regarding anonymous works, corporate-authored works, non-literary works, or unpublished works vary per country. It is not intended to be used as a legal guideline since it cannot reflect the complexity of the copyright laws in effect at any one time and since copyright laws are changing continuously. It is intended only as an overview of the portions of the world which are under any particular style of copyright. See the "see also" and "external links" at the end of this article for more details.

Although they are not countries, the list also includes entries for the European Union and the Berne Convention, which set minimum terms for their member nations or signatories.

Contents

[edit] Legend

  • ibid. = ibidem, "in the same place"

[edit] Table

Countries and areas Terms of copyright protection References
Afghanistan 0, no copyright exists The first copyright law has yet to be passed.[1]
Albania 70 years after death Art. 17, Law no. 7564 of 19 April 1992, as modified by Law no. 7923 of 19 May 1995
Algeria 50 years after death;
photographs 50 years after creation		 Arts. 54 & 59, Ordonnance n° 03-05 du 19 Joumada El Oula 1424 correspondant au 19 juillet 2003 relative aux droits d’auteur et aux droits voisins
Andorra 70 years after death Art. 18, Law on Copyright and Related Rights of 1999
Angola 50 years after death
Anguilla unknown
Antigua and Barbuda 50 years after death;
computer 50 years after creation		 s. 10, Copyright Act, 2002
Argentina 70 years after death


50 years after publication (anonymous intellectual works belonging to institutions, corporations or legal persons)

 Art. 5, Ley 11.723 del 28 de septiembre de 1933, as modified by Ley 24.870 del 11 de septiembre de 1997


Art. 8, ibid.
Armenia 50 years after death Art. 26, Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 12 January 2000
Aruba unknown
Australia (including external territories) 70 years after death; for death before 1955, 50 years after death


70 years after publication (sound recordings, cinematograph films)
50 years after making (television broadcasts and sound broadcasts)
photographs 50 years after publication (no longer applicable since 1 January 2005)

 s. 33, Copyright Act 1968


s. 93, 94
s. 95
Australian Copyright Council Information Sheets G023 (Duration)
Austria 70 years after death § 60, Urheberrechtsgesetz;
§ 1(2), Urheberrechtsgesetznovelle 1972 (Nr. 492, 1972-12-16)
Azerbaijan 50 years after death Art. 25, Law on Copyright and Related Rights of 5 June 1996
Bahamas Berne
Bahrain 50 years after death Art. 31, Legislative Decree no. 10 of 1993
Bangladesh 50 years after death
Barbados 50 years after death s. 17, http://www.wipo.int/clea/docs_new/en/bb/bb009en.html Copyright Act 1998
Belarus 50 years after death Art. 22, Law 194-3 of 11 August 1998
Belgium 70 years after death Wet betreffende het auteursrecht en de naburige rechten van 30 juni 1994. (Hoofdstuk 1, afdeling 1, Art. 2)/Loi relative au droit d’auteur et aux droits voisins du 30 juin 1994.
Belize 50 years after death s. 10, Copyright Act Ch. 252
Benin 50 years after death
Bermuda unknown
Berne Convention signatories 50 years after death


50 years after publication or if not shown 50 years after creation (cinematographic works)
25 years after creation (photographic works)
Signatories may grant longer terms.

 Art. 7(1)


Art. 7(2)
Art. 7(4)
Art. 7(6)
Bhutan 50 years after death s. 18, Copyright Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001
Bolivia 50 years after death Art. 18, Ley No 1322 de 13 de abril de 1992
Bosnia and Herzegovina 70 years after death Art. 84, Law on Copyright and Related Rights (7/02)
Botswana Berne, TRIPS, WCT Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, Act No. 8 of 2000
Brazil 70 years after death Art. 41, Law no 9610 of 19 February 1998
British Indian Ocean Territory unknown
British Virgin Islands unknown
Brunei 50 years after death s. 14, Emergency (Copyright) Order 1999
Bulgaria 70 years after death (EU) Art. 27, Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, last changed in 2007
Burkina Faso 70 years after death Art. 34, Loi N°032-99AN portant protection de la propriété littéraire et artistique
Burundi 50 years after death
Cambodia 50 years after death Art. 30, Law on Copyright and Related Rights of 2003
Cameroon 50 years after death Art. 37, Loi no 2000/011 du 19 décembre 2000
Canada 50 years after death s. 6, Copyright Act ( R.S., 1985, c. C-42 );
s. 7, S.C. 1997, c. 24
Cape Verde 50 years after death Art. 19, Lei no. 101/III/90 de 29 de dezembro de 1990
Cayman Islands unknown
Central African Republic Berne, TRIPS
Chad Berne, TRIPS
Chile 50 years after death Art. 10, Ley No 17336 de propriedad intelectual
China, People's Republic of (Mainland only) 50 years after death (citizens' works)


50 years after publication or if not published 50 years after creation (works of legal entities, cinematographic works, films or photographic works)

 Art. 21, first paragraph, Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China


Art. 21, second and third paragraphs, ibid.
China, Republic of (Taiwan) 50 years after death (TRIPS)


50 years after publication (photographic works, audiovisual works, sound recordings, and performances)

 Art. 30, Copyright Act


Art. 34, ibid.
Colombia 80 years after death


80 years after publication (cinematographic works)

 Art. 21, Ley 23 de 1982


Art. 26, ibid.
Comoros Berne
Congo (Democratic Republic) Berne, TRIPS
Congo (Republic) Berne, TRIPS
Costa Rica 70 years after death Art. 58, Ley de Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos modified by the Ley 7979 del 6 del enero del 2000
Cote d'Ivoire 99 years after death


99 years after publication (photographic or audiovisual works or works of applied art)

 Art. 45(1), Loi no. 96-564 du 25 juillet 1996


Art. 45(3)(a), ibid.
Croatia 70 years after death Art. 99, Copyright and Related Rights Act 197/2003
Cuba 50 years after death
Cyprus 50 years after death
(EU, WCT)		 s. 4, Copyright Law 1976
Czech Republic 70 years after death (70 years after publication for anonymous works) Art. 27, Law No. 121/2000 Coll.
Denmark 70 years after death s. 63, Consolidated Act on Copyright 2006
Djibouti 25 years after death (Berne, TRIPS)


25 years after publication or if not published 25 years after completion (film)
25 years after completion (a photographic work or a work of applied art)

 Art. 59, Loi n°114/AN/96/3e L relatif à la protection du droit d'auteur


Art. 62, ibid.
Art. 63, ibid.
Dominica 70 years after death s. 11, Copyright Act 2003
Dominican Republic 50 years after death Art. 21, Ley sobre Derecho de Autor del 24 de julio de 2000
Ecuador 70 years after death Art. 80, Ley No 83 de Propiedad Intelectual (1998)
Egypt 50 years after death Art. 160, Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
El Salvador 50 years after death Art. 86, Decreto Legislativo No. 604 del 15 de julio de 1993
Equatorial Guinea Berne
Eritrea unknown
Estonia 50 years after death (EU) Art. 38, Copyright Act of 11 November 1992
Ethiopia life of creator, Title XI of the 1960 Civil Code
European Union members 70 years after death Art. 1 (1), Directive 2006/116/EC
Fiji 50 years after death Copyright Act 1999
Finland 70 years after death Art. 43, Law No. 404/1961, as amended by Law No. 1654/1995
France 70 years after death + 14 years and 272 days for the two World Wars [+ 30 years if the author died on active service] Arts. L123-1, L123-8, L123-9, and L123-10, Code de la propriété intellectuelle
Gabon Berne, TRIPS, WCT
Gambia 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956 (p)
Georgia 70 years after death Art. 31, Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 22 June 1999
Germany[2] 70 years after death § 64, Urheberrechtsgesetz, as amended by the Law of 23 June 1995
Ghana 70 years after death Art. 12, Copyright Act, 2005
Greece 70 years after death Art. 29, Law 2121/1993
Grenada Berne, TRIPS Copyright Act, dated 3 February 1989
Guatemala 75 years after death Art. 43, Decreto No. 33-98, as modified by Art. 13, Decreto No. 56-2000
Guinea TRIPS, WCT
Guinea-Bissau Berne, TRIPS
Guyana 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956
Haiti Berne, TRIPS Decree of January 9, 1968, relating to Copyright in Literary, Scientific and Artistic Works
Honduras 75 years after death


70 years after publication or if not published within 50 years 70 years after creation (works of applied art and photographs)


article 30 of Decreto Ley 16 2006: Implementación del Tratado de Libre Comercio entre la República Dominicana, Centroamérica y Estados Unidos
Hong Kong[3] 50 years after death


50 years after publication or if not published 50 years after creation (sound recordings)
50 years after creation (broadcast); 50 years after programme included in a cable programme service
125 years after creation (Governmental work)
50 years after publication (Ordinance)
50 years after creation (Legislative Council work)

 s. 17, Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528)


s. 18, ibid.
s. 20, ibid.
s. 182, ibid.
s. 183, ibid.
s. 184, ibid.
Hungary 70 years after death Art. 31, Act No. LXXVI of 1999
Iceland 70 years after death Art. 43, Act No. 73/1972, as amended by Art. 4, Act No. 145/1996
India 60 years after death (literary, dramatic, musical, and non-photograph artistic works)


60 years after publication (posthumous works, photographs, cinematograph films, sound recordings, Government works, works of public undertakings, and works of international organisations)

 s. 22, Copyright Act, 1957


s. 24, s. 25, s. 26, s. 27, s. 28, s. 28A, s. 29, ibid. [4]
Indonesia 50 years after death Art. 29, Law No. 19 of 2002
Iran 30 years after death


30 years after publication (photographic or cinematographic works)

 Art. 12, Copyright Law of 12 January 1970


Art. 16, ibid.
Iraq 50 years after death s. 2(11), Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 2004/83
Ireland 70 years after death s. 24, Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000
Israel 70 years after death Art. 5(4), Copyright Ordinance 1924
Italy 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 25, Law No. 633 of 22 April 1941, as amended by Art. 17, Law No. 52 of 6 February 1996
Jamaica 50 years after death s. 10, Copyright Act 1993
Japan 50 years after death


50 years after publication or if not published 50 years after creation (works of a legal person or other corporate body)
70 years after publication or if not published 70 years after creation (cinematographic works)

 Art. 51(2), Law No. 48 of 6 May 1970, as amended in 2006


Art. 53(1), ibid.
Art. 54(1), ibid.
Jordan 50 years after death Art. 30, Law No. 22 of 1992, as amended
Kazakhstan 50 years after death Art. 28, Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 1996
Kenya 50 years after death;
photographs 50 years after publication		 s. 23(2), Copyright Act, 2001
Kiribati 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956 (p)
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Berne
Korea, Republic of 50 years after death


50 years after publication or if not published 50 years after creation (organizational works)

 Art. 36, Copyright Act of 30 December 1989


Art. 38, ibid.
Kuwait TRIPS Decree Law No. 64 of 1999 concerning Intellectual Property Rights
Kyrgyzstan 50 years after death Art. 27, Law on Copyright and Related Rights of 16 December 1997
Laos unknown
Latvia 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 36, Copyright Law of 6 April 2000
Art. 28, Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 11 May 1993
Lebanon 50 years after death Art. 49, Loi sur la protection de la propriété littéraire et artistique (no. 75 du 3 avril 1999)
Lesotho 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956 (p)
Libya 25 years after death with 50-year minimum (as of 1968; may have changed since)
Liechtenstein 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 32, Law of 19 May 1999
[Art. 36, Law of 26 October 1928]
Lithuania 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 34, Law No. IX-1355 (2003)
[Art. 536, Civil Code as modified by Law No. I-459 (1994)]
Luxembourg 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 9, Law of 18 April 2001


[Art. 2, Law of 29 March 1972]
Macau(b) 50 years after death


50 years after publication (audiovisual works)
25 after completion (works of applied art and photographic works)

 Art. 21, Decree-Law 43/99/M of August 16, 1999


Art. 106, ibid.
Arts. 148 & 155, ibid.
Macedonia 70 years after death Art. 44, Law on Copyright and Related Rights No. 47/96 as amended
Madagascar 70 years after death Art. 52, Loi no. 94-036 portant sur la propriété littéraire et artistique
Malawi 50 years after death s. 13, Copyright Act, 1989
Malaysia 50 years after death s. 17, Copyright Act 1987
Maldives TRIPS
Mali 50 years after death Art. 90, Loi No. 8426/AN-RM
Malta 70 years after death s. 4(2), Copyright Act, 2000
Marshal Islands none
Mauritania Berne, TRIPS
Mauritius 50 years after death s. 12, Copyright Act 1997
Mexico 100 years after death (effective 23 July 2003 non-retroactively)


75 years after death (before the law change on 23 July 2003, applicable for deaths before 23 July 1928)

 Art. 29, Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (2003)


Art. 29, Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (1996)
Micronesia 50 years after death § 113, Federated States of Micronesia Code, Title 35
Moldova 50 years after death Art. 17, Law No. 293-XIII of 23 November 1994
Monaco WCT
Mongolia 50 years after death Art. 17, Law on Copyright of 1993
Montenegro[5] 70 years after death Art. 100, Law on Copyright and Related Rights
Morocco 50 years after death Art. 25, Loi no. 2-00 relative aux droits d’auteur et droits voisins
Mozambique 70 years after death Art. 22, Law No. 4/2001
Myanmar TRIPS
Namibia 50 years after death;
photographs 50 years after publication		 s. 3, Copyright Act 98 of 1978, as amended by s. 3, Act 52 of 1984, s. 3, Act 125 of 1992 and by s. 52, Act 38 of 1997
Nauru unknown
Nepal 50 years after death Pustun Pradhan (2004). "Nepal's New Law on Copyright: Some Reflections", UNESCO e-Copyright Bulletin, January–March 2004.
Netherlands[6] 70 years after death Art. 37, Copyright Act, 1912, as amended by the Acts of 21 December 1995
New Zealand 50 years after death;
computer 50 years after creation		 s. 22, Copyright Act 1994
Nicaragua 70 years after death Art. 27, Ley de Derecho de Autor y Derechos Conexos (No. 312)
Niger 50 years after death Art. 22, Ordinance 93-027 of 30 March 1993 on copyright, related rights and expressions of folklore
Nigeria 70 years after death (literary, musical or artistic works other than photographs)


70 years after publication (literary, musical or non-photograph artistic works in the case of government or a body corporate)
50 years after publication (cinematograph films and photographs)
50 years after creation (sound recordings)
50 years after publication (broadcasts)

 Schedule I, Copyright Act (Cap. 68) 1990
Norway 70 years after death s. 40, Act No. 2 of 12 May 1961
Oman 50 years after death Art. 7, Royal Decree 37-2000
Pakistan 50 years after death s. 18, Copyright Ordinance, 1962
Palau 50 years after death s. 16, Republic of Palau Copyright Act of 2003
Panama 50 years after death Art. 42, Ley No. 15 de 8 de agosto de 1994
Papua New Guinea 50 years after death s. 17, Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000
Paraguay 70 years after death Art. 47, Ley No. 1328/98 de Derecho de Autor y Derechos Conexos
Peru 70 years after death Art. 52, Decreto legislativo 822 del 23 de abril de 1996
Philippines 50 years after death;
photographs 50 years after publication		 s. 213, Intellectual Property Code
Poland 50 years after death (EU) Art. 36, Law of February 4, 1994, on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights
Portugal 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 31, Code of Copyright and Related Rights, as amended by Decree Law No. 334/97 of 27 November 1997
Qatar 50 years after death s. 15, Law No. 7 of 2002
Romania 70 years after death Art. 27, Law No. 8 of March 14, 1996
Russia 70 years after death starting July 28, 2004 (Source); 50 years after death (death before 1953) Art. 2, Law 72-FZ, 2004
Rwanda Berne, TRIPS
St. Kitts and Nevis 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956 (p)
St. Lucia 50 years after death s. 10, Copyright Act, 1995
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 75 years after death (literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work)


50 years after creation (computer-generated work)
75 years after publication or if not published 50 years after creation (sound recording or film)
50 years after creation (broadcast); 50 after programme included in a cable programme service

 s. 8(1), Copyright Act, 2003


s. 8(3), ibid.
s. 9(1), ibid.
s. 10(1), ibid.
Samoa Berne
San Marino unknown
São Tomé and Príncipe unknown
Saudi Arabia 50 years after death Royal Decree No: M/41 2nd Rajab 1424 H August 30, 2003
Senegal Berne, TRIPS
Serbia[7] 70 years after death
See Serbian copyright law		 Art. 100, Law on Copyright and Related Rights
Seychelles 25 years after death


25 years after publication (photograph, film, or broadcast)
25 years after creation (sound recording)

 s. 9(1)(i), Copyright Act, revised edition 1991


s. 9(1)(ii), (v), ibid.
s. 9(1)(iv), ibid.
Singapore 70 years after death or if published after death 70 years after publication (literary, dramatic or musical work, or in an artistic work other than a photograph)


70 years after publication (photograph)
70 years after publication (sound recordings and cinematograph films)
50 years after making (television broadcasts, sound broadcasts, cable programmes)
70 years after publication (literary, dramatic or musical work, or engraving or a photograph made by or under the direction or control of the Government)
70 years after making (artistic work, other than engraving or a photograph, made by or under the direction or control of the Government)

 s. 28(2), (3), Copyright Act[8]


s. 28(6), ibid.
s. 92, 93, ibid.
s. 94, 95, ibid.
s. 197(3), (4A), ibid.
s. 197(4), ibid.
Slovakia 70 years after death § 18, Act No. 383/1997
Slovenia 70 years after death Art. 59, Copyright and Related Rights Act of 30 March 1995
Solomon Islands 50 years after death s. 3, Copyright Act (Ch. 138)
Somalia unknown
South Africa 50 years after death


50 years after publication (cinematograph films, photographs, computer programs, sound recordings, broadcasts, programme-carrying signals, published editions, and some government works)

 s. 3(2)(a), Copyright Act, 1978


s. 12(8)(a) ibid.
s. 3(2)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), s. 5 ibid.
Spain 70 years after death
[80 years after death(1879 - 1987), 60 years after death(1987 - 1994)]		 Art. 23, Real Decreto 1/1996
Sri Lanka 50 years after death s. 19, Code of Intellectual Property Act No. 52 of 1979
Sudan 50 years after death
photographs and works published under unknown pseudonym or anonymously 25 years after publication		 s. 13, Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act 1996
Suriname Berne, TRIPS
Swaziland 50 years after death Copyright Act No. 36 of 1912
Sweden 70 years after death Art. 43, Act 1960:729, as modified by Act 1995:1273
Switzerland 70 years after death effective 1 July 1993 non-retroactively, but 50 years after death for computer programs


50 years after performance (performers' rights)
50 years after death (before the law change on 1 July 1993, applicable for deaths through 1942)

 Art. 29 Urheberrechtgesetz/ Loi sur le droit d’auteur par. 2


Art. 39, ibid.
BGE 124 III 266
Syria 50 years after death; Photographs 10 years after publication; Arts. 22 & 23, Law No. 12/2001
Tajikistan Berne
Tanzania 50 years after death s. 14, Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 1999
Thailand 50 years after death s. 19, Copyright Act, B.E. 2537 (1994)
Timor Leste 50 years after death Art. 29, Law No. 19 of 2002
Togo 50 years after death Art. 36, Loi no. 91-12 portant protection du droit d'auteur, du folklore et des droits voisins
Tonga 50 years after death s. 13, Copyright Act (Cap. 121)
Trinidad and Tobago 50 years after death s. 19, Copyright Act, 1997
Tunisia 50 years after death Art. 18, Loi no. 94-36
Turkey 70 years after death Art. 27, Law No. 5846 of 5 December 1951
Turkmenistan unknown
Tuvalu 50 years after death Copyright Act 1956 (p)
Uganda TRIPS
Ukraine 70 years after death
[50 years after death]		 Art. 28, Law on Copyright and Related Rights of 2001
 
United Arab Emirates 50 years after death s. 20, Federal Law No. 7 of 2002
United Kingdom 70 years after death, 50 years after release for sound recordings[1] s. 12, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended by the Duration of Copyright and Rights in Performances Regulations 1995
United States of America 70 years after death (works published since 1978)


95 years after publication or 120 years after creation whichever is shorter (anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire, published since 1978)
95 years after publication for works published 1964-1977; 28 (if copyright not renewed) or 95 years after publication for works published 1923-1963 (Copyrights prior to 1923 have expired.)

 17 USC 302(a)


17 USC 302(c)
17 USC 304
Uruguay 50 years after death Art. 14, Law on Copyright No. 9.739 of 17 December 1937
Uzbekistan 50 years after death Art. 38, Law No. 272-I of 30 August 1996
Vanuatu unknown
Vatican City 70 years after death N. XII. Legge sil diritto di autore
Venezuela 60 years after death (an audiovisual work, a broadcast work or a computer program)


60 years after publication or if not published 60 years after creation

 Art. 25, Ley sobre el Dercho de Autor as modified by the Decreto del 14 de agosto de 1993


Art. 26, ibid.
Vietnam Berne
Yemen 30 years after death
Zambia 50 years after death s. 12, Copyright and Performance Rights Act, 1994
Zimbabwe 50 years after death (literary, dramatic, and musical works)


50 years after death (non-photograph artistic works)
50 years after publication (photographs)
50 years after creation (Sound recordings)
50 years after publication (cinematograph films, broadcasts)

 s. 5(3), Copyright Act (Chapter 26:1)


s. 6(3)(a), ibid.
s. 6(3)(b), ibid.
s. 16(2), ibid.
s. 17(2), s. 18(2), ibid.

[edit] Table notes

Terms of protection were taken from a variety of sources, including WIPO, UNESCO and the University of Pennsylvania (see External links). Where no more specific information is available for a country, an indication of its probable minimum copyright term can be gained from its status as:

  • a signatory of the Berne Convention ("Berne"); minimum term of 50 years after death, except for photographs.
  • a member of the WTO ("TRIPS"); minimum term of 50 years after death.
  • a candidate for membership of the European Union ("EU"); term must be 70 years after death before accession.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.goodwinprocter.com/~/media/A5C66A80AB93408C857813C59512C1BA.ashx
  2. ^ The Federal Republic of Germany is the successor state to the German Democratic Republic and to the German Empire
  3. ^ The Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau have their own status, distinct from that of the rest of China, under international copyright and trade law
  4. ^ See also Copyright in India.
  5. ^ Montenegro is assumed to have succeeded to the copyright obligations of Serbia and Montenegro. See Serbia also.
  6. ^ Including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba: although Dutch adhesion to the Berne convention only applies to the Kingdom in Europe, membership of the WTO includes the overseas territories
  7. ^ Serbia is deemed to be a successor state of Serbia and Montenegro, which itself was a successor state to Yugoslavia for international copyright treaties, notably the Berne Convention, effective 17 June 1930
  8. ^ See also the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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