Duration of copyright
This table sets out the term of copyright protection in Australia as from 1 January 2005, when changes to Copyright legislation extended the duration of copyright in Australia. Any material for which copyright had expired before 1 January 2005 remains out of copyright.
Type of Material | Factors Affecting Duration | Copyright Expired Before 1 Jan 2005 IF | Duration of Copyright if not Expired before 1 Jan 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literary, Dramatic or Musical work (except computer programs) | Made public during creator's life (ie published / performed / broadcast / recorded & offered for sale) | Creator died before 1 January 1955 | Life of creator + 70 yrs |
| Not made public during creator's life | Made public before 1 January 1955 | Year made public + 70 yrs | |
| Artistic works | Creator died before 1 January 1955 | Life of creator + 70 yrs | |
| Computer programs | Creator died before 1 January 1955 | Life of creator + 70 yrs | |
| Photographs | Taken before 1 January 1955 | Life of creator + 70 yrs | |
| Engravings | Published during creator's life | Creator died before 1 January 1955 | Life of creator + 70 yrs |
| Not published during creator's life | First published before 1 January 1955 | Year first published + 70 yrs | |
| Cinematograph films | Made before 1 May 1969 | Generally if made before 1 January 1955 | Life of cinematographer + 70 yrs |
| Made after 1 May 1969 | N/A | Year first published + 70 yrs | |
| Sound recordings | Made before 1 January 1955 | Year first published + 70 yrs | |
| Broadcasts | Made before 1 May 1969 | Not protected at all | Not protected at all |
| Made on or after 1 May 1969 | N/A | Year made + 50 yrs | |
| Published edition (ie typographical arrangement of a published work) | First published more than 25 yrs ago | Year first published + 25 years |
