Copyright Durations
The copyright protection terms in Australia for various types of works as of 1 January 2019 are summarised below.
Note that copyright durations may differ in other jurisdictions.
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Material made before 1 January 2019
(other than Government material)
Type of material Factors affecting duration Copyright expired if Otherwise, duration is Literary, dramatic, musical work, engraving Made public before death Author died before 1 January 1955 Life of author + 70 years Made public after death but before 1 January 2019 Made public before 1 January 1955 Year made public + 70 years Not made public before 1 January 2019 Author died before 1 January 1948 Life of author + 70 years Artistic works other than photographs or engravings Author died before 1 January 1955 Life of author + 70 years Photograph Made before 1 January 1955 Life of author + 70 years Computer program Author died before 1 January 1955 Life of author + 70 years Cinematograph film (made on or after 1 May 1969) Made public before 1 January 2019 Not applicable First made public + 70 years Never made public Not applicable Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 but not within 50 years of being made Not applicable Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 and within 50 years of being made Not applicable First made public + 70 years Sound recordings Made public before 1 January 2019 Made before 1 January 1955 First made public + 70 years Never made public Made before 1 January 1955 Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 but not within 50 years of being made Made before 1 January 1955 Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 and within 50 years of being made Made before 1 January 1955 First made public + 70 years Works where the author is unknown, or the works are made by an international organisation Made public before 1 January 2019 Made public before 1 January 1955 First made public + 70 years Never made public Made before 1 January 1948 Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 but not within 50 years of being made Made before 1 January 1948 Date made + 70 years Made public on or after 1 January 2019 and within 50 years of being made Made public before 1 January 1955 First made public + 70 years -
Material made on or after 1 January 2019
(other than Government material)
Type of material Factors affecting duration Copyright expired if Otherwise, duration is Works where the author is known Not applicable Life of author + 70 years Works where the author is unknown Not made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable Date made + 70 years Made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable First made public + 70 years Sound recording Not made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable Date made + 70 years Made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable First made public + 70 years Cinematograph film Not made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable Date made + 70 years Made public within 50 years of being made Not applicable First made public + 70 years -
Government material
Type of material Factors affecting duration Copyright expired if Otherwise, duration is Works made, or first published, by a Commonwealth, State or Territory Made before 1 January 1968 Date made + 50 years Sound recording Made before 1 January 1968 Date made + 50 years Cinematograph film (made on or after 1 May 1969) Not applicable Date made + 50 years Based on Schedule 2 tables from the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 Explanatory Memorandum, Federal Register of Legislation, CC-BY 4.0