European Copyright Laws

The EU has uniform copyright laws.

The European Union member states have a uniform copyright legal system to protect original works of authorship. The system is derived from a series of EU directives that obligates member states' participation. The European Court of Justice enforces the laws. Copyright protection is automatic when the work is recorded in any form.

What is Protected

Works covered by copyright protection are literary works such as novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers and computer programs; databases; films, musical compositions, and choreography; artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture; architecture; and advertisements, maps and technical drawings. Ideas, procedures, methods of operation or mathematical concepts are not protected.

Rights

Through the numerous directives, EU copyright law protects the right of reproduction, communication, distribution, fixation, rental, broadcasting and communication of the work. Copyright protection is granted when the work is created. Registration of the copyright establishes a prima facie evidence that the work is protected. The author or creator of the work holds these exclusive rights.

Duration

Under the EU directives, a copyright-protected work is protected for the life of the author plus 70 years after the artist's death. For works that are created by a group of people, the copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the death of the last member of the group. All other works, such as recordings and performances, are protected for 50 years after the performance or production of the work.

Permission

Permission to use a copyright-protected work can only be granted by the author or creator of the work. Some authors and artists register their work with a collective management organization that can also grant permission to use the work. Such an organization can grant a license to use the work. According to the EU Copyright Office "under most national copyright laws, it is permissible to use limited portions of a work, including quotes, for purposes such as news reporting and private personal use."

References

• EU Copyright Office: Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright