Copyright protection in the UK is accorded automatically to a work when the required conditions are met. There is no system for registration of copyright in the UK.

Copyright can protect to a variety of original works, including, but no limited to, literary dramatic, artistic and musical pieces.

It is not necessary for a work to be novel or have any aesthetic value to qualify for protection, but it must be the result of independent effort. For example, catalogues, engineering drawings and technical descriptions may all qualify, regardless of subject matter.

Copyright provides the owner with the exclusive right to prevent others from, amongst other things, copying the work or a substantial part of it. However, copyright protection of a drawing of an article cannot be used to prevent the manufacture of the article.

Proof of originality is ultimately a decision for the court, but depositing a copy of the work with a bank, accountant or solicitor will establish that the work existed at a particular time.

Marking a work with the international © sign followed by the name of the copyright owner and year of publication may also assist in infringement proceedings in the UK.

Works protected by copyright in the UK are usually, though not invariably, protected overseas by international convention.

Our attorneys can provide advice in connection with all aspects of copyright, including proprietorship and infringement.

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