Consultation outcome

Reducing the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Government response to the consultation on reducing the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works

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Detail of outcome

This document is a summary of what respondents to the consultation said on the proposals. It also sets out the government’s next steps in light of the consultation.

The government would like to thank all those who took the time to contribute to the consultation.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on reducing the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works under Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 section 170(2).

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The government has launched a consultation to hear views on using the power in section 170(2) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This power enables the government to reduce the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works, which currently remain protected by copyright until the year 2039, regardless of the age of the work.

This consultation invites views and seeks evidence on the potential impact of the government’s proposals. In addition to the questions posed in the consultation document, evidence is sought regarding:

  • the estimated number of works subject to the 2039 rule
  • the proportion of such works for which the rule inhibits publication
  • the potential number of works which would be published if the rule were removed.
  • the scale of administrative burdens currently shouldered by cultural institutions in relation to 2039 works
  • the benefits to institutions of the removal of the 2039 rule
  • quantifiable costs to copyright owners

Documents

Reducing the duration of copyright in certain unpublished works

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email information@ipo.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 31 October 2014
Last updated 29 January 2015 + show all updates
  1. Consultation response document added.

  2. First published.

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