Guidance

Orphan works overview for applicants

Process for anyone applying for a licence to use an orphan work.

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 29 October 2014
• Last updated: 4 January 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 4 January 2021

     Orphan works guidance updated to reflect Brexit transition. Portable document format (PDF) replaced with html page to improve accessibility.

  2. 29 October 2014

     First published.

Documents

Orphan works licensing scheme overview for applicants

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Details

Orphan works are copyright works where one or more right holder is unknown or cannot be located. If you want to use an orphan work you can apply to the Intellectual Property Office for a licence. This guidance provides detailed information which will help you fill in the on-line application for a licence.