Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Type Public General Act
Publication 1988-11-15
Last updated 2025-04-06
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (c) the owner or exclusive licensee of any intellectual property right in the technical device applied to the computer program.
  • (3) The rights conferred by subsection (2) are concurrent, and sections 101(3) and 102(1) to (4) apply, in proceedings under this section, in relation to persons with concurrent rights as they apply, in proceedings mentioned in those provisions, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (4) Further, the persons in subsection (2) have the same rights under section 99 or 100 (delivery up or seizure of certain articles) in relation to any such means as is referred to in subsection (1) which a person has in his possession, custody or control with the intention that it should be used to facilitate the unauthorised removal or circumvention of any technical device which has been applied to a computer program, as a copyright owner has in relation to an infringing copy.
  • (5) The rights conferred by subsection (4) are concurrent, and section 102(5) shall apply, as respects anything done under section 99 or 100 by virtue of subsection (4), in relation to persons with concurrent rights as it applies, as respects anything done under section 99 or 100, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (6) In this section references to a technical device in relation to a computer program are to any device intended to prevent or restrict acts that are not authorised by the copyright owner of that computer program and are restricted by copyright.
  • (7) The following provisions apply in relation to proceedings under this section as in relation to proceedings under Part 1 (copyright)—
  • (a) sections 104 to 106 of this Act (presumptions as to certain matters relating to copyright); and
  • (b) section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, section 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 and section 94A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (withdrawal of privilege against self-incrimination in certain proceedings relating to intellectual property);

and section 114 of this Act applies, with the necessary modifications, in relation to the disposal of anything delivered up or seized by virtue of subsection (4).

  • (8) Expressions used in this section which are defined for the purposes of Part 1 of this Act (copyright) have the same meaning as in that Part.

Circumvention of technological measures

296ZA
  • (1) This section applies where—
  • (a) effective technological measures have been applied to a copyright work other than a computer program; and
  • (b) a person (B) does anything which circumvents those measures knowing, or with reasonable grounds to know, that he is pursuing that objective.
  • (2) This section does not apply where a person, for the purposes of research into cryptography, does anything which circumvents effective technological measures unless in so doing, or in issuing information derived from that research, he affects prejudicially the rights of the copyright owner.
  • (3) The following persons have the same rights against B as a copyright owner has in respect of an infringement of copyright—
  • (a) a person—
  • (i) issuing to the public copies of, or
  • (ii) communicating to the public,

the work to which effective technological measures have been applied; and

  • (b) the copyright owner or his exclusive licensee, if he is not the person specified in paragraph (a).
  • (4) The rights conferred by subsection (3) are concurrent, and sections 101(3) and 102(1) to (4) apply, in proceedings under this section, in relation to persons with concurrent rights as they apply, in proceedings mentioned in those provisions, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (5) The following provisions apply in relation to proceedings under this section as in relation to proceedings under Part 1 (copyright)—
  • (a) sections 104 to 106 of this Act (presumptions as to certain matters relating to copyright); and
  • (b) section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, section 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 and section 94A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (withdrawal of privilege against self-incrimination in certain proceedings relating to intellectual property).
  • (6) Subsections (1) to (4) and (5)(b) and any other provision of this Act as it has effect for the purposes of those subsections apply, with any necessary adaptations, to rights in performances, publication right and database right.
  • (7) The provisions of regulation 22 (presumptions relevant to database right) of the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/3032) apply in proceedings brought by virtue of this section in relation to database right.

Devices and services designed to circumvent technological measures

296ZB
  • (1) A person commits an offence if he—
  • (a) manufactures for sale or hire, or
  • (b) imports otherwise than for his private and domestic use, or
  • (c) in the course of a business—
  • (i) sells or lets for hire, or
  • (ii) offers or exposes for sale or hire, or
  • (iii) advertises for sale or hire, or
  • (iv) possesses, or
  • (v) distributes, or
  • (d) distributes otherwise than in the course of a business to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the copyright owner,

any device, product or component which is primarily designed, produced, or adapted for the purpose of enabling or facilitating the circumvention of effective technological measures.

  • (2) A person commits an offence if he provides, promotes, advertises or markets—
  • (a) in the course of a business, or
  • (b) otherwise than in the course of a business to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the copyright owner,

a service the purpose of which is to enable or facilitate the circumvention of effective technological measures.

  • (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not make unlawful anything done by, or on behalf of, law enforcement agencies or any of the intelligence services—
  • (a) in the interests of national security; or
  • (b) for the purpose of the prevention or detection of crime, the investigation of an offence, or the conduct of a prosecution,

and in this subsection “ intelligence services ” has the meaning given in section 81 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

  • (4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—
  • (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both;
  • (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
  • (5) It is a defence to any prosecution for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he did not know, and had no reasonable ground for believing, that—
  • (a) the device, product or component; or
  • (b) the service,

enabled or facilitated the circumvention of effective technological measures.

Devices and services designed to circumvent technological measures: search warrants and forfeiture

296ZC
  • (1) The provisions of sections 297B (search warrants), 297C (forfeiture of unauthorised decoders: England and Wales or Northern Ireland) and 297D (forfeiture of unauthorised decoders: Scotland) apply to offences under section 296ZB with the following modifications.
  • (2) In section 297B the reference to an offence under section 297A(1) shall be construed as a reference to an offence under section 296ZB(1) or (2).
  • (3) In sections 297C(2)(a) and 297D(15) the references to an offence under section 297A(1) shall be construed as a reference to an offence under section 296ZB(1).
  • (4) In sections 297C and 297D references to unauthorised decoders shall be construed as references to devices, products or components for the purpose of circumventing effective technological measures.

Rights and remedies in respect of devices and services designed to circumvent technological measures

296ZD
  • (1) This section applies where—
  • (a) effective technological measures have been applied to a copyright work other than a computer program; and
  • (b) a person (C) manufactures, imports, distributes, sells or lets for hire, offers or exposes for sale or hire, advertises for sale or hire, or has in his possession for commercial purposes any device, product or component, or provides services which—
  • (i) are promoted, advertised or marketed for the purpose of the circumvention of, or
  • (ii) have only a limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent, or
  • (iii) are primarily designed, produced, adapted or performed for the purpose of enabling or facilitating the circumvention of,

those measures.

  • (2) The following persons have the same rights against C as a copyright owner has in respect of an infringement of copyright—
  • (a) a person—
  • (i) issuing to the public copies of, or
  • (ii) communicating to the public,

the work to which effective technological measures have been applied;

  • (b) the copyright owner or his exclusive licensee, if he is not the person specified in paragraph (a); and
  • (c) the owner or exclusive licensee of any intellectual property right in the effective technological measures applied to the work.
  • (3) The rights conferred by subsection (2) are concurrent, and sections 101(3) and 102(1) to (4) apply, in proceedings under this section, in relation to persons with concurrent rights as they apply, in proceedings mentioned in those provisions, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (4) Further, the persons in subsection (2) have the same rights under section 99 or 100 (delivery up or seizure of certain articles) in relation to any such device, product or component which a person has in his possession, custody or control with the intention that it should be used to circumvent effective technological measures, as a copyright owner has in relation to any infringing copy.
  • (5) The rights conferred by subsection (4) are concurrent, and section 102(5) shall apply, as respects anything done under section 99 or 100 by virtue of subsection (4), in relation to persons with concurrent rights as it applies, as respects anything done under section 99 or 100, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (6) The following provisions apply in relation to proceedings under this section as in relation to proceedings under Part 1 (copyright)—
  • (a) sections 104 to 106 of this Act (presumptions as to certain matters relating to copyright); and
  • (b) section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, section 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 and section 94A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (withdrawal of privilege against self-incrimination in certain proceedings relating to intellectual property);

and section 114 of this Act applies, with the necessary modifications, in relation to the disposal of anything delivered up or seized by virtue of subsection (4).

  • (7) In section 97(1) (innocent infringement of copyright) as it applies to proceedings for infringement of the rights conferred by this section, the reference to the defendant not knowing or having reason to believe that copyright subsisted in the work shall be construed as a reference to his not knowing or having reason to believe that his acts enabled or facilitated an infringement of copyright.
  • (8) Subsections (1) to (5), (6)(b) and (7) and any other provision of this Act as it has effect for the purposes of those subsections apply, with any necessary adaptations, to rights in performances, publication right and database right.
  • (9) The provisions of regulation 22 (presumptions relevant to database right) of the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/3032) apply in proceedings brought by virtue of this section in relation to database right.

Remedy where effective technological measures prevent permitted acts

296ZE
  • (1) In this section—
  • “ Marrakesh beneficiary” means a person who—is blind,has a visual impairment which cannot be improved so as to give the person visual function substantially equivalent to that of a person who has no such impairment, and who is, as a result, unable to read printed works to substantially the same degree as a person without such an impairment,has a perceptual or reading disability and is, as a result, unable to read printed works to substantially the same degree as a person without such disability, oris otherwise unable, due to a physical disability, to hold or manipulate a book or to focus or move their eyes to the extent that would normally be acceptable for reading;
  • “Marrakesh work” means a work in the form of a book, journal, newspaper, magazine or other kind of writing, notation, including sheet music, and related illustrations, in any media, including in audio form such as audiobooks and in digital format, which is protected by copyright, related rights or database rights and which is published or otherwise lawfully made publicly available;
  • permitted act ” means an act which may be done in relation to copyright works, notwithstanding the subsistence of copyright, by virtue of a provision of this Act listed in Part 1 of Schedule 5A;
  • voluntary measure or agreement ” means— any measure taken voluntarily by a copyright owner, his exclusive licensee or a person issuing copies of, or communicating to the public, a work other than a computer program, orany agreement between a copyright owner, his exclusive licensee or a person issuing copies of, or communicating to the public, a work other than a computer program and another party,the effect of which is to enable a person to carry out a permitted act.
  • (2) Where the application of any effective technological measure to a copyright work other than a computer program prevents a person from carrying out a permitted act in relation to that work then that person or a person being a representative of a class of persons prevented from carrying out a permitted act may issue a notice of complaint to the Secretary of State.
  • (3) Following receipt of a notice of complaint, the Secretary of State may give to the owner of that copyright work or an exclusive licensee such directions as appear to the Secretary of State to be requisite or expedient for the purpose of—
  • (a) establishing whether any voluntary measure or agreement relevant to the copyright work the subject of the complaint subsists; or
  • (b) (where it is established there is no subsisting voluntary measure or agreement) ensuring that the owner or exclusive licensee of that copyright work makes available to the complainant the means of carrying out the permitted act the subject of the complaint to the extent necessary to so benefit from that permitted act.
  • (4) The Secretary of State may also give directions—
  • (a) as to the form and manner in which a notice of complaint in subsection (2) may be delivered to him;
  • (b) as to the form and manner in which evidence of any voluntary measure or agreement may be delivered to him; and
  • (c) generally as to the procedure to be followed in relation to a complaint made under this section;

and shall publish directions given under this subsection in such manner as in his opinion will secure adequate publicity for them.

  • (5) It shall be the duty of any person to whom a direction is given under subsection (3)(a) or (b) to give effect to that direction.
  • (6) The obligation to comply with a direction given under subsection (3)(b) is a duty owed to the complainant or, where the complaint is made by a representative of a class of persons, to that representative and to each person in the class represented; and a breach of the duty is actionable accordingly (subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty).
  • (7) Any direction under this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent direction under this section.
  • (8) Any direction given under this section shall be in writing.
  • (9) Subject to subsection (9A), This section does not apply to copyright works made available to the public on agreed contractual terms in such a way that members of the public may access them from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.
  • (9A) But this section does apply where the application of any effective technological measure to a Marrakesh work prevents the making of an accessible copy of that work under sections 31A, 31B or 31BA, or paragraphs 3A, 3B or 3C of Schedule 2, for the benefit of a Marrakesh beneficiary.
  • (10) This section applies only where a complainant has lawful access to the protected copyright work, or where the complainant is a representative of a class of persons, where the class of persons have lawful access to the work.
  • (11) Subsections (1) to (10) apply with any necessary adaptations to—
  • (a) rights in performances, and in this context the expression “ permitted act ” refers to an act that may be done by virtue of a provision of this Act listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5A;
  • (b) database right, and in this context the expression “ permitted act ” refers to an act that may be done by virtue of a provision of this Act listed in Part 3 of Schedule 5A; and
  • (c) publication right.

Remedy where restrictive measures prevent or restrict personal copying

296ZEA
  • (1) This section applies where an individual is prevented from making a personal copy of a copyright work, or is restricted in the number of personal copies of it which may be made, because of a restrictive measure applied by or on behalf of the copyright owner.
  • (2) That individual, or a person being a representative of a class of such individuals, may issue a notice of complaint to the Secretary of State.
  • (3) Following receipt of a notice of complaint, the Secretary of State may give to the owner of that copyright work or an exclusive licensee such directions as appear to the Secretary of State to be requisite or expedient for the purpose of—
  • (a) establishing whether any voluntary measure or agreement relevant to the copyright work subsists, or
  • (b) (where it is established there is no subsisting voluntary measure or agreement) ensuring that the owner or exclusive licensee of that copyright work makes available to the complainant or the class of individuals represented by the complainant the means of benefiting from section 28B to the extent necessary to benefit from that section.
  • (4) In deciding whether to give such directions, the Secretary of State must consider whether the restrictive measure unreasonably prevents or restricts the making of personal copies, in particular having regard to—
  • (a) the right of the copyright owner to adopt adequate measures limiting the number of personal copies which may be made, and
  • (b) whether other copies of the work are commercially available on reasonable terms by or with the authority of the copyright owner in a form which does not prevent or unreasonably restrict the making of personal copies.
  • (5) The Secretary of State may also give directions—
  • (a) as to the form and manner in which a notice of complaint in subsection (2) may be delivered,
  • (b) as to the form and manner in which evidence of any voluntary measure or agreement may be delivered, and
  • (c) generally as to the procedure to be followed in relation to a complaint made under this section,

and shall publish directions given under this subsection in such manner as the Secretary of State thinks will secure adequate publicity for them.

  • (6) Subsections (5) to (8) of section 296ZE—
  • (a) apply to directions under subsection (3)(a) or (b) as they apply to directions under section 296ZE(3)(a) or (b), and
  • (b) apply to directions under subsection (5) as they apply to directions under section 296ZE(4).
  • (7) This section does not apply to copyright works made available to the public on agreed contractual terms in such a way that members of the public may access them from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.
  • (8) In this section—
  • “restrictive measure” means any technology, device or component designed, in the normal course of its operation, to protect the rights of copyright owners, which has the effect of preventing a copyright work from being copied (in whole or in part) or restricting the number of copies which may be made;
  • “personal copy” means a copy of a copyright work which may be made under section 28B;
  • “voluntary measure or agreement” has the same meaning as in section 296ZE, except that the reference to carrying out a permitted act is to be read as a reference to making a personal copy.
  • (9) Subsections (1) to (8) apply with any necessary adaptations to—
  • (a) rights in performances, and in this context “personal copy” refers to a copy of a recording of a performance which may be made under paragraph 1B of Schedule 2 without infringing the rights conferred by Chapter 2 of Part II (rights in performances), and
  • (b) publication right.

Interpretation of sections 296ZA to 296ZEA

296ZF
  • (1) In sections 296ZA to 296ZE, “technological measures” are any technology, device or component which is designed, in the normal course of its operation, to protect a copyright work other than a computer program.
  • (2) Such measures are “effective” if the use of the work is controlled by the copyright owner through—
  • (a) an access control or protection process such as encryption, scrambling or other transformation of the work, or
  • (b) a copy control mechanism,

which achieves the intended protection.

  • (3) In this section, the reference to—
  • (a) protection of a work is to the prevention or restriction of acts that are not authorised by the copyright owner of that work and are restricted by copyright; and
  • (b) use of a work does not extend to any use of the work that is outside the scope of the acts restricted by copyright.
  • (4) Expressions used in sections 296ZA to 296ZEA which are defined for the purposes of Part 1 of this Act (copyright) have the same meaning as in that Part.

Rights management information

Electronic rights management information

296ZG
  • (1) This section applies where a person (D), knowingly and without authority, removes or alters electronic rights management information which—
  • (a) is associated with a copy of a copyright work, or
  • (b) appears in connection with the communication to the public of a copyright work, and

where D knows, or has reason to believe, that by so doing he is inducing, enabling, facilitating or concealing an infringement of copyright.

  • (2) This section also applies where a person (E), knowingly and without authority, distributes, imports for distribution or communicates to the public copies of a copyright work from which electronic rights management information—
  • (a) associated with the copies, or
  • (b) appearing in connection with the communication to the public of the work,

has been removed or altered without authority and where E knows, or has reason to believe, that by so doing he is inducing, enabling, facilitating or concealing an infringement of copyright.

  • (3) A person issuing to the public copies of, or communicating, the work to the public, has the same rights against D and E as a copyright owner has in respect of an infringement of copyright.
  • (4) The copyright owner or his exclusive licensee, if he is not the person issuing to the public copies of, or communicating, the work to the public, also has the same rights against D and E as he has in respect of an infringement of copyright.
  • (5) The rights conferred by subsections (3) and (4) are concurrent, and sections 101(3) and 102(1) to (4) apply, in proceedings under this section, in relation to persons with concurrent rights as they apply, in proceedings mentioned in those provisions, in relation to a copyright owner and exclusive licensee with concurrent rights.
  • (6) The following provisions apply in relation to proceedings under this section as in relation to proceedings under Part 1 (copyright)—
  • (a) sections 104 to 106 of this Act (presumptions as to certain matters relating to copyright); and
  • (b) section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, section 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 and section 94A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (withdrawal of privilege against self-incrimination in certain proceedings relating to intellectual property).
  • (7) In this section—
  • (a) expressions which are defined for the purposes of Part 1 of this Act (copyright) have the same meaning as in that Part; and
  • (b) “ rights management information ” means any information provided by the copyright owner or the holder of any right under copyright which identifies the work, the author, the copyright owner or the holder of any intellectual property rights, or information about the terms and conditions of use of the work, and any numbers or codes that represent such information.
  • (8) Subsections (1) to (5) and (6)(b), and any other provision of this Act as it has effect for the purposes of those subsections, apply, with any necessary adaptations, to rights in performances, publication right and database right.
  • (9) The provisions of regulation 22 (presumptions relevant to database right) of the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/3032) apply in proceedings brought by virtue of this section in relation to database right.

Computer programs

Avoidance of certain terms.

296A
  • (1) Where a person has the use of a computer program under an agreement, any term or condition in the agreement shall be void in so far as it purports to prohibit or restrict—
  • (a) the making of any back up copy of the program which it is necessary for him to have for the purposes of the agreed use;
  • (b) where the conditions in section 50B(2) are met, the decompiling of the program; or
  • (c) the observing, studying or testing of the functioning of the program in accordance with section 50BA.
  • (2) In this section, decompile, in relation to a computer program, has the same meaning as in section 50B

Databases

Avoidance of certain terms relating to databases

296B

Where under an agreement a person has a right to use a database or part of a database, any term or condition in the agreement shall be void in so far as it purports to prohibit or restrict the performance of any act which would but for section 50D infringe the copyright in the database.

Fraudulent reception of transmissions

Offence of fraudulently receiving programmes.

297
  • (1) A person who dishonestly receives a programme included in a broadcasting . . . service provided from a place in the United Kingdom with intent to avoid payment of any charge applicable to the reception of the programme commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
  • (2) Where an offence under this section committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

In relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members “director” means a member of the body corporate.

Unauthorised decoders.

297A
  • (1) A person commits an offence if he—
  • (a) makes, imports, distributes, sells or lets for hire or offers or exposes for sale or hire any unauthorised decoder;
  • (b) has in his possession for commercial purposes any unauthorised decoder;
  • (c) instals, maintains or replaces for commercial purposes any unauthorised decoder; or
  • (d) advertises any unauthorised decoder for sale or hire or otherwise promotes any unauthorised decoder by means of commercial communications.
  • (2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
  • (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
  • (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to a fine, or to both.
  • (3) It is a defence to any prosecution for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that he did not know, and had no reasonable ground for believing, that the decoder was an unauthorised decoder.
  • (4) In this section—
  • “apparatus” includes any device, component or electronic data (including software);
  • “conditional access technology” means any technical measure or arrangement whereby access to encrypted transmissions in an intelligbile form is made conditional on prior individual authorisation;
  • “decoder” means any apparatus which is designed or adapted to enable (whether on its own or with any other apparatus) an encrypted transmission to be decoded;
  • “encrypted” includes subjected to scrambling or the operation of cryptographic envelopes, electronic locks, passwords or any other analogous application;
  • “transmission” means—any programme included in a broadcasting . . . service which is provided from a place in the United Kingdom...; oran information society service (within the meaning of Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22nd June 1998 , as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20th July 1998 ) which is provided from a place in the United Kingdom ...; and
  • “unauthorised”, in relation to a decoder, means that the decoder is designed or adapted to enable an encrypted transmission, or any service of which it forms part, to be accessed in an intelligible form without payment of the fee (however imposed) which the person making the transmission, or on whose behalf it is made, charges for accessing the transmission or service (whether by the circumvention of any conditional access technology related to the transmission or service or by any other means).

Search warrants

297B
  • (1) Where a justice of the peace (in Scotland, a sheriff or justice of the peace) is satisfied by information on oath given by a constable (in Scotland, by evidence on oath) that there are reasonable grounds for believing—
  • (a) that an offence under section 297A(1) has been or is about to be committed in any premises, and
  • (b) that evidence that such an offence has been or is about to be committed is in those premises,

he may issue a warrant authorising a constable to enter and search the premises, using such reasonable force as is necessary.

  • (2) The power conferred by subsection (1) does not, in England and Wales, extend to authorising a search for material of the kinds mentioned in section 9(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) (certain classes of personal or confidential material).
  • (3) A warrant under subsection (1)—
  • (a) may authorise persons to accompany any constable executing the warrant, and
  • (b) remains in force for three months from the date of its issue.
  • (4) In executing a warrant issued under subsection (1) a constable may seize an article if he reasonably believes that it is evidence that any offence under section 297A(1) has been or is about to be committed.
  • (5) In this section “ premises ” includes land, buildings, fixed or moveable structures, vehicles, vessels, aircraft and hovercraft.

Forfeiture of unauthorised decoders: England and Wales or Northern Ireland

297C
  • (1) In England and Wales or Northern Ireland where unauthorised decoders have come into the possession of any person in connection with the investigation or prosecution of a relevant offence, that person may apply under this section for an order for the forfeiture of the unauthorised decoders.
  • (2) For the purposes of this section “relevant offence” means—
  • (a) an offence under section 297A(1) (criminal liability for making, importing, etc. unauthorised decoders),
  • (b) an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968,
  • (ba) an offence under the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008,
  • (bb) an offence under Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, or
  • (c) an offence involving dishonesty or deception.
  • (3) An application under this section may be made—
  • (a) where proceedings have been brought in any court for a relevant offence relating to some or all of the unauthorised decoders, to that court, or
  • (b) where no application for the forfeiture of the unauthorised decoders has been made under paragraph (a), by way of complaint to a magistrates’ court.
  • (4) On an application under this section, the court shall make an order for the forfeiture of any unauthorised decoders only if it is satisfied that a relevant offence has been committed in relation to the unauthorised decoders.
  • (5) A court may infer for the purposes of this section that such an offence has been committed in relation to any unauthorised decoders if it is satisfied that such an offence has been committed in relation to unauthorised decoders which are representative of the unauthorised decoders in question (whether by reason of being of the same design or part of the same consignment or batch or otherwise).
  • (6) Any person aggrieved by an order made under this section by a magistrates’ court, or by a decision of such a court not to make such an order, may appeal against that order or decision—
  • (a) in England and Wales, to the Crown Court, or
  • (b) in Northern Ireland, to the county court.
  • (7) An order under this section may contain such provision as appears to the court to be appropriate for delaying the coming into force of the order pending the making and determination of any appeal (including any application under section 111 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43) or Article 146 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)) (statement of case)).
  • (8) Subject to subsection (9), where any unauthorised decoders are forfeited under this section they shall be destroyed in accordance with such directions as the court may give.
  • (9) On making an order under this section the court may direct that the unauthorised decoders to which the order relates shall (instead of being destroyed) be forfeited to a person who has rights or remedies under section 298 in relation to the unauthorised decoders in question, or dealt with in such other way as the court considers appropriate.

Forfeiture of unauthorised decoders: Scotland

297D
  • (1) In Scotland the court may make an order under this section for the forfeiture of unauthorised decoders.
  • (2) An order under this section may be made—
  • (a) on an application by the procurator-fiscal made in the manner specified in section 134 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46), or
  • (b) where a person is convicted of a relevant offence, in addition to any other penalty which the court may impose.
  • (3) On an application under subsection (2)(a), the court shall make an order for the forfeiture of any unauthorised decoders only if it is satisfied that a relevant offence has been committed in relation to the unauthorised decoders.
  • (4) The court may infer for the purposes of this section that such an offence has been committed in relation to any unauthorised decoders if it is satisfied that such an offence has been committed in relation to unauthorised decoders which are representative of the unauthorised decoders in question (whether by reason of being of the same design or part of the same consignment or batch or otherwise).
  • (5) The procurator-fiscal making the application under subsection (2)(a) shall serve on any person appearing to him to be the owner of, or otherwise to have an interest in, the unauthorised decoders to which the application relates a copy of the application, together with a notice giving him the opportunity to appear at the hearing of the application to show cause why the unauthorised decoders should not be forfeited.
  • (6) Service under subsection (5) shall be carried out, and such service may be proved, in the manner specified for citation of an accused in summary proceedings under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46).
  • (7) Any person upon whom notice is served under subsection (5) and any other person claiming to be the owner of, or otherwise to have an interest in, unauthorised decoders to which an application under this section relates shall be entitled to appear at the hearing of the application to show cause why the unauthorised decoders should not be forfeited.
  • (8) The court shall not make an order following an application under subsection (2)(a)—
  • (a) if any person on whom notice is served under subsection (5) does not appear, unless service of the notice on that person is proved, or
  • (b) if no notice under subsection (5) has been served, unless the court is satisfied that in the circumstances it was reasonable not to serve such notice.
  • (9) Where an order for the forfeiture of any unauthorised decoders is made following an application under subsection (2)(a), any person who appeared, or was entitled to appear, to show cause why the unauthorised decoders should not be forfeited may, within 21 days of the making of the order, appeal to the High Court by Bill of Suspension.
  • (10) Section 182(5)(a) to (e) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 shall apply to an appeal under subsection (9) as it applies to a stated case under Part 2 of that Act.
  • (11) An order following an application under subsection (2)(a) shall not take effect—
  • (a) until the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day after the day on which the order is made, or
  • (b) if an appeal is made under subsection (9) above within that period, until the appeal is determined or abandoned.
  • (12) An order under subsection (2)(b) shall not take effect—
  • (a) until the end of the period within which an appeal against the order could be brought under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46), or
  • (b) if an appeal is made within that period, until the appeal is determined or abandoned.
  • (13) Subject to subsection (14), where any unauthorised decoders are forfeited under this section they shall be destroyed in accordance with such directions as the court may give.
  • (14) On making an order under this section the court may direct that the unauthorised decoders to which the order relates shall (instead of being destroyed) be forfeited to a person who has rights or remedies under section 298 in relation to the unauthorised decoders in question, or dealt with in such other way as the court considers appropriate.
  • (15) For the purposes of this section—
  • “relevant offence” means—an offence under section 297A(1) (criminal liability for making, importing, etc unauthorised decoders),an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968,an offence under the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008,an offence under Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, orany offence involving dishonesty or deception;
  • the court” means—in relation to an order made on an application under subsection (2)(a), the sheriff, andin relation to an order made under subsection (2)(b), the court which imposed the penalty.

Rights and remedies in respect of apparatus, &c. for unauthorised reception of transmissions.

298
  • (1) A person who—
  • (a) makes charges for the reception of programmes included in a broadcasting . . . service provided from a place in the United Kingdom ...,
  • (b) sends encrypted tranmissions of any other description from a place in the United Kingdom ..., or
  • (c) provides conditional access services from a place in the United Kingdom ...,

is entitled to the following rights and remedies.

  • (2) He has the same rights and remedies against a person—
  • (a) who—
  • (i) makes, imports, distributes, sells or lets for hire, offers or exposes for sale or hire, or advertises for sale or hire,
  • (ii) has in his possession for commercial purposes, or
  • (iii) instals, maintains or replaces for commercial purposes,

any apparatus designed or adapted to enable or assist persons to access the programmes or other transmissions or circumvent conditional access technology related to the programmes or other transmissions when they are not entitled to do so, or

  • (b) who publishes or otherwise promotes by means of commercial communications any information which is calculated to enable or assist persons to access the programmes or other transmissions or circumvent conditional access technology related to the programmes or other transmissions when they are not entitled to do so,

as a copyright owner has in respect of an infringement of copyright.

  • (3) Further, he has the same rights under section 99 or 100 (delivery up or seizure of certain articles) in relation to any such apparatus as a copyright owner has in relation to an infringing copy.
  • (4) Section 72 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, section 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 and section 94A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (withdrawal of privilege against self-incrimination in certain proceedings relating to intellectual property) apply to proceedings under this section as to proceedings under Part I of this Act (copyright).
  • (5) In section 97(1) (innocent infringement of copyright) as it applies to proceedings for infringement of the rights conferred by this section, the reference to the defendant not knowing or having reason to believe that copyright subsisted in the work shall be construed as a reference to his not knowing or having reason to believe that his acts infringed the rights conferred by this section.
  • (6) Section 114 applies, with the necessary modifications, in relation to the disposal of anything delivered up or seized by virtue of subsection (3) above.
  • (7) In this section “apparatus”, “conditional access technology” and “encrypted” have the same meanings as in section 297A, “transmission” includes transmissions as defined in that section and “conditional access services” means services comprising the provision of conditional access technology.

Supplementary provisions as to fraudulent reception.

299
  • (1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council—
  • (a) provide that section 297 applies in relation to programmes included in services provided from a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, and
  • (b) provide that section 298 applies in relation to such programmes and to encrypted transmissions sent from such a country or territory.
  • (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (3) A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under subsection (1) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
  • (4) Where sections 297 and 298 apply in relation to a broadcasting service ..., they also apply to any service run for the person providing that service, or a person providing programmes for that service, which consists wholly or mainly in the sending by means of a telecommunications system of sounds or visual images, or both.
  • (5) In sections 297 , 297A and 298, and this section, “programme” and “broadcasting”, and related expressions, have the same meaning as in Part I (copyright).

Fraudulent application or use of trade mark

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

300

Provisions for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

Provisions for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

301

The provisions of Schedule 6 have effect for conferring on GOSH Children's Charity for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children a right to a royalty in respect of the public performance, commercial publication or communication to the public of the play “Peter Pan” by Sir James Matthew Barrie, or of any adaptation of that work, notwithstanding that copyright in the work expired on 31st December 1987.

Financial assistance for certain international bodies

Financial assistance for certain international bodies.

302
  • (1) The Secretary of State may give financial assistance, in the form of grants, loans or guarantees to—
  • (a) any international organisation having functions relating to trade marks or other intellectual property, or
  • (b) any EU institution or other body established under any of the EU Treaties having any such functions,

with a view to the establishment or maintenance by that organisation, institution or body of premises in the United Kingdom.

  • (2) Any expenditure of the Secretary of State under this section shall be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament; and any sums received by the Secretary of State in consequence of this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

General

Consequential amendments and repeals.

303
  • (1) The enactments specified in Schedule 7 are amended in accordance with that Schedule, the amendments being consequential on the provisions of this Act.
  • (2) The enactments specified in Schedule 8 are repealed to the extent specified.

Extent.

304
  • (1) Provision as to the extent of Part I (copyright), Part II (rights in performances) and Part III (design right) is to be found in sections 157, 207 and 255 respectively; the extent of the other provisions of this Act is as follows.
  • (2) Parts IV to VII extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, except that—
  • (a) sections 287 to 292 (patents county courts) extend to England and Wales only,
  • (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (c) the amendments and repeals in Schedules 7 and 8 have the same extent as the enactments amended or repealed.
  • (3) The following provisions extend to the Isle of Man subject to any modifications contained in an Order made by Her Majesty in Council—
  • (a) sections 293 and 294 (patents: licences of right), and
  • (b) paragraphs 24 and 29 of Schedule 5 (patents: effect of filing international application for patent and power to extend time limits).
  • (4) Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that the following provisions extend to the Isle of Man, with such exceptions and modifications as may be specified in the Order—
  • (a) Part IV (registered designs),
  • (b) Part V (patent agents),
  • (c) the provisions of Schedule 5 (patents: miscellaneous amendments) not mentioned in subsection (3) above,
  • (d) sections 297 to 299 (fraudulent reception of transmissions), and
  • (e) section 300 (fraudulent application or use of trade mark).
  • (5) Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that sections 297 to 299 (fraudulent reception of transmissions) extend to any of the Channel Islands, with such exceptions and modifications as may be specified in the Order.
  • (6) Any power conferred by this Act to make provision by Order in Council for or in connection with the extent of provisions of this Act to a country outside the United Kingdom includes power to extend to that country, subject to any modifications specified in the Order, any provision of this Act which amends or repeals an enactment extending to that country.

Commencement.

305
  • (1) The following provisions of this Act come into force on Royal Assent—
  • paragraphs 24 and 29 of Schedule 5 (patents: effect of filing international application for patent and power to extend time limits);
  • section 301 and Schedule 6 (provisions for the benefit of the Hospital for Sick Children).
  • (2) Sections 293 and 294 (licences of right) come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the passing of this Act.
  • (3) The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument, and different days may be appointed for different provisions and different purposes.

Short title.

306

This Act may be cited as the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

SCHEDULE ZA1

PART 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Certain permitted uses of orphan works by relevant bodies

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meaning of “relevant body”, “relevant work” and “rightholder”

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meaning of “orphan work”

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mutual recognition of orphan work status

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diligent searches

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Further requirements for use of orphan works

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

End of orphan work status

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE A1

Codes of practice

1
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for a licensing body to be required to adopt a code of practice that complies with criteria specified in the regulations.
  • (2) The regulations may provide that, if a licensing body fails to adopt such a code of practice, any code of practice that is approved for the purposes of that licensing body by the Secretary of State, or by a person designated by the Secretary of State under the regulations, has effect as a code of practice adopted by the body.
  • (3) The regulations must provide that a code is not to be approved for the purposes of provision under sub-paragraph (2) unless it complies with criteria specified in the regulations.
2

Regulations under paragraph 1 may make provision as to conditions that are to be satisfied, and procedures that are to be followed—

  • (a) before a licensing body is required to adopt a code of practice as described in paragraph 1(1);
  • (b) before a code of practice has effect as one adopted by a licensing body as described in paragraph 1(2).

Licensing code ombudsman

3
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—
  • (a) for the appointment of a person (the “licensing code ombudsman”) to investigate and determine disputes about a licensing body's compliance with its code of practice;
  • (b) for the reference of disputes to the licensing code ombudsman;
  • (c) for the investigation and determination of a dispute so referred.
  • (2) Provision made under this paragraph may in particular include provision—
  • (a) about eligibility for appointment as the licensing code ombudsman;
  • (b) about the disputes to be referred to the licensing code ombudsman;
  • (c) requiring any person to provide information, documents or assistance to the licensing code ombudsman for the purposes of an investigation or determination;
  • (d) requiring a licensing body to comply with a determination of the licensing code ombudsman;
  • (e) about the payment of expenses and allowances to the licensing code ombudsman.

Code reviewer

4
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—
  • (a) for the appointment by the Secretary of State of a person (the “code reviewer”) to review and report to the Secretary of State on—
  • (i) the codes of practice adopted by licensing bodies, and
  • (ii) compliance with the codes of practice;
  • (b) for the carrying out of a review and the making of a report by that person.
  • (2) The regulations must provide for the Secretary of State, before appointing a person as the code reviewer, to consult persons whom the Secretary of State considers represent the interests of licensing bodies, licensees, members of licensing bodies, and the Intellectual Property Office.
  • (3) The regulations may, in particular, make provision—
  • (a) requiring any person to provide information, documents or assistance to the code reviewer for the purposes of a review or report;
  • (b) about the payment of expenses and allowances to the code reviewer.
  • (4) In this paragraph “ member ”, in relation to a licensing body, means a person on whose behalf the body is authorised to negotiate or grant licences.

Sanctions

5
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the consequences of a failure by a licensing body to comply with—
  • (a) a requirement to adopt a code of practice under provision within paragraph 1(1);
  • (b) a code of practice that has been adopted by the body in accordance with a requirement under provision within paragraph 1(1), or that has effect as one adopted by the body under provision within paragraph 1(2);
  • (c) a requirement imposed on the body under any other provision made under this Schedule;
  • (d) an authorisation under regulations under section 116A or 116B;
  • (e) a requirement imposed by regulations under section 116A or 116B;
  • (f) an authorisation under regulations under paragraph 1A or 1B of Schedule 2A;
  • (g) a requirement imposed by regulations under paragraph 1A or 1B of that Schedule.
  • (2) The regulations may in particular provide for—
  • (a) the imposition of financial penalties or other sanctions;
  • (b) the imposition of sanctions on a director, manager or similar officer of a licensing body or, where the body's affairs are managed by its members, on a member.
  • (3) The regulations must include provision—
  • (a) for determining whether there has been a failure to comply with a requirement or code of practice for the purposes of any provision made under sub-paragraph (1);
  • (b) for determining any sanction that may be imposed in respect of the failure to comply;
  • (c) for an appeal against a determination within paragraph (a) or (b).
  • (4) A financial penalty imposed under sub-paragraph (2) must not be greater than £50,000.
  • (5) The regulations may provide for a determination within sub-paragraph (3)(a) or (3)(b) to be made by the Secretary of State or by a person designated by the Secretary of State under the regulations.
  • (6) The regulations may make provision for requiring a person to give the person by whom a determination within sub-paragraph (3)(a) falls to be made (the “adjudicator”) any information that the adjudicator reasonably requires for the purpose of making that determination.

Fees

6
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require a licensing body to which regulations under any other paragraph of this Schedule apply to pay fees to the Secretary of State.
  • (2) The aggregate amount of fees payable under the regulations must not be more than the cost to the Secretary of State of administering the operation of regulations under this Schedule.

General

7
  • (1) The power to make regulations under this Schedule includes in particular power—
  • (a) to make incidental, supplementary or consequential provision, including provision extending or restricting the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal or conferring powers on it;
  • (b) to make provision for bodies of a particular description, or carrying out activities of a particular description, not to be treated as licensing bodies for the purposes of requirements imposed under regulations under this Schedule;
  • (c) to make provision that applies only in respect of licensing bodies of a particular description, or only in respect of activities of a particular description;
  • (d) otherwise to make different provision for different purposes.
  • (2) Regulations under a paragraph of this Schedule may amend Part 1 or Part 2, or any other enactment or subordinate legislation passed or made before the paragraph in question comes into force, for the purpose of making consequential provision or extending or restricting the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal or conferring powers on it.
  • (3) The power to make regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument.
  • (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
8

References in this Schedule to a licensing body are to a body that is a licensing body for the purposes of Chapter 7 of Part 1 or Chapter 2 of Part 2, and references to licensees are to be construed accordingly.

SCHEDULE 1

Introductory

1
  • (1) In this Schedule—
  • the 1911 Act” means the Copyright Act 1911,
  • the 1956 Act” means the Copyright Act 1956, and
  • the new copyright provisions” means the provisions of this Act relating to copyright, that is, Part I (including this Schedule) and Schedules 3, 7 and 8 so far as they make amendments or repeals consequential on the provisions of Part I.
  • (2) References in this Schedule to “commencement”, without more, are to the date on which the new copyright provisions come into force.
  • (3) References in this Schedule to “existing works” are to works made before commencement; and for this purpose a work of which the making extended over a period shall be taken to have been made when its making was completed.
2
  • (1) In relation to the 1956 Act, references in this Schedule to a work include any work or other subject-matter within the meaning of that Act.
  • (2) In relation to the 1911 Act—
  • (a) references in this Schedule to copyright include the right conferred by section 24 of that Act in substitution for a right subsisting immediately before the commencement of that Act;
  • (b) references in this Schedule to copyright in a sound recording are to the copyright under that Act in records embodying the recording; and
  • (c) references in this Schedule to copyright in a film are to any copyright under that Act in the film (so far as it constituted a dramatic work for the purposes of that Act) or in photographs forming part of the film.

General principles: continuity of the law

3

The new copyright provisions apply in relation to things existing at commencement as they apply in relation to things coming into existence after commencement, subject to any express provision to the contrary.

4
  • (1) The provisions of this paragraph have effect for securing the continuity of the law so far as the new copyright provisions re-enact (with or without modification) earlier provisions.
  • (2) A reference in an enactment, instrument or other document to copyright, or to a work or other subject-matter in which copyright subsists, which apart from this Act would be construed as referring to copyright under the 1956 Act shall be construed, so far as may be required for continuing its effect, as being, or as the case may require, including, a reference to copyright under this Act or to works in which copyright subsists under this Act.
  • (3) Anything done (including subordinate legislation made), or having effect as done, under or for the purposes of a provision repealed by this Act has effect as if done under or for the purposes of the corresponding provision of the new copyright provisions.
  • (4) References (expressed or implied) in this Act or any other enactment, instrument or document to any of the new copyright provisions shall, so far as the context permits, be construed as including, in relation to times, circumstances and purposes before commencement, a reference to corresponding earlier provisions.
  • (5) A reference (express or implied) in an enactment, instrument or other document to a provision repealed by this Act shall be construed, so far as may be required for continuing its effect, as a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act.
  • (6) The provisions of this paragraph have effect subject to any specific transitional provision or saving and to any express amendment made by this Act.
5
  • (1) Copyright subsists in an existing work after commencement only if copyright subsisted in it immediately before commencement.
  • (2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not prevent an existing work qualifying for copyright protection after commencement—
  • (a) under section 155 (qualification by virtue of first publication), ...
  • (b) by virtue of an Order under section 159 (application of Part I to countries to which it does not extend) , or
  • (c) where the work is an artistic work in which copyright subsists as a result of the disapplication of paragraph 6(1) by paragraph 6(1A)
6
  • (1) Copyright shall not subsist by virtue of this Act in an artistic work made before 1st June 1957 which at the time when the work was made constituted a design capable of registration under the Registered Designs Act 1949 or under the enactments repealed by that Act, and was used, or intended to be used, as a model or pattern to be multiplied by an industrial process.
  • (1A) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to an artistic work which was on 1st July 1995 protected under the law of an EEA state relating to copyright or related rights.
  • (2) For this purpose a design shall be deemed to be used as a model or pattern to be multiplied by any industrial process—
  • (a) when the design is reproduced or is intended to be reproduced on more than 50 single articles, unless all the articles in which the design is reproduced or is intended to be reproduced together form only a single set of articles as defined in section 44(1) of the Registered Designs Act 1949, or
  • (b) when the design is to be applied to—
  • (i) printed paper hangings,
  • (ii) carpets, floor cloths or oil cloths, manufactured or sold in lengths or pieces,
  • (iii) textile piece goods, or textile goods manufactured or sold in lengths or pieces, or
  • (iv) lace, not made by hand.
7
  • (1) No copyright subsists in a film, as such, made before 1st June 1957.
  • (2) Where a film made before that date was an original dramatic work within the meaning of the 1911 Act, the new copyright provisions have effect in relation to the film as if it was an original dramatic work within the meaning of Part I.
  • (3) The new copyright provisions have effect in relation to photographs forming part of a film made before 1st June 1957 as they have effect in relation to photographs not forming part of a film.
8
  • (1) A film sound-track to which section 13(9) of the 1956 Act applied before commencement (film to be taken to include sounds in associated sound-track) shall be treated for the purposes of the new copyright provisions not as part of the film, but as a sound recording.
  • (2) However—
  • (a) copyright subsists in the sound recording only if copyright subsisted in the film immediately before commencement, and it continues to subsist until copyright in the film expires;
  • (b) the author and first owner of copyright in the film shall be treated as having been author and first owner of the copyright in the sound recording; and
  • (c) anything done before commencement under or in relation to the copyright in the film continues to have effect in relation to the sound recording as in relation to the film.
9

No copyright subsists in—

  • (a) a wireless broadcast made before 1st June 1957, or
  • (b) a broadcast by cable made before 1st January 1985;

and any such broadcast shall be disregarded for the purposes of section 14(5) (duration of copyright in repeats).

Authorship of work

10

The question who was the author of an existing work shall be determined in accordance with the new copyright provisions for the purposes of the rights conferred by Chapter IV of Part I (moral rights), and for all other purposes shall be determined in accordance with the law in force at the time the work was made.

11
  • (1) The question who was first owner of copyright in an existing work shall be determined in accordance with the law in force at the time the work was made.
  • (2) Where before commencement a person commissioned the making of a work in circumstances falling within—
  • (a) section 4(3) of the 1956 Act or paragraph (a) of the proviso to section 5(1) of the 1911 Act (photographs, portraits and engravings), or
  • (b) the proviso to section 12(4) of the 1956 Act (sound recordings),

those provisions apply to determine first ownership of copyright in any work made in pursuance of the commission after commencement.

12
  • (1) The following provisions have effect with respect to the duration of copyright in existing works.

The question which provision applies to a work shall be determined by reference to the facts immediately before commencement; and expressions used in this paragraph which were defined for the purposes of the 1956 Act have the same meaning as in that Act.

  • (2) Copyright in the following descriptions of work continues to subsist until the date on which it would have expired under the 1956 Act—
  • (a) literary, dramatic or musical works in relation to which the period of 50 years mentioned in the proviso to section 2(3) of the 1956 Act (duration of copyright in works made available to the public after the death of the author) has begun to run;
  • (b) engravings in relation to which the period of 50 years mentioned in the proviso to section 3(4) of the 1956 Act (duration of copyright in works published after the death of the author) has begun to run;
  • (c) published photographs and photographs taken before 1st June 1957;
  • (d) published sound recordings and sound recordings made before 1st June 1957;
  • (e) published films and films falling within section 13(3)(a) of the 1956 Act (films registered under former enactments relating to registration of films).
  • (3) Copyright in anonymous or pseudonymous literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works (other than photographs) continues to subsist—
  • (a) if the work is published, until the date on which it would have expired in accordance with the 1956 Act, and
  • (b) if the work is unpublished, until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the new copyright provisions come into force or, if during that period the work is first made available to the public within the meaning of section 12(3) (duration of copyright in works of unknown authorship), the date on which copyright expires in accordance with that provision;

unless, in any case, the identity of the author becomes known before that date, in which case section 12(2) applies (general rule: life of the author plus 70).

  • (4) Copyright in the following descriptions of work continues to subsist until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the new copyright provisions come into force—
  • (a) literary, dramatic and musical works of which the author has died and in relation to which none of the acts mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) of the proviso to section 2(3) of the 1956 Act has been done;
  • (b) unpublished engravings of which the author has died;
  • (c) unpublished photographs taken on or after 1st June 1957.
  • (5) Copyright in the following descriptions of work continues to subsist until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the new copyright provisions come into force—
  • (a) unpublished sound recordings made on or after 1st June 1957;
  • (b) films not falling within sub-paragraph (2)(e) above,

unless the recording or film is published before the end of that period in which case copyright in it shall continue until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the recording or film is published.

  • (6) Copyright in any other description of existing work continues to subsist until the date on which copyright in that description of work expires in accordance with sections 12 to 15 of this Act.
  • (7) The above provisions do not apply to works subject to Crown or Parliamentary copyright (see paragraphs 41 to 43 below).
13
  • (1) The rights conferred on universities and colleges by the Copyright Act 1775 shall continue to subsist until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the new copyright provisions come into force and shall then expire.
  • (2) The provisions of the following Chapters of Part I—
  • Chapter III (acts permitted in relation to copyright works),
  • Chapter VI (remedies for infringement),
  • Chapter VII (provisions with respect to copyright licensing), and
  • Chapter VIII (the Copyright Tribunal),

apply in relation to those rights as they apply in relation to copyright under this Act.

14
  • (1) The provisions of Chapters II and III of Part I as to the acts constituting an infringement of copyright apply only in relation to acts done after commencement; the provisions of the 1956 Act continue to apply in relation to acts done before commencement.
  • (2) So much of section 18(2) as extends the restricted act of issuing copies to the public to include the rental to the public of copies of sound recordings, films or computer programs does not apply in relation to a copy of a sound recording, film or computer program acquired by any person before commencement for the purpose of renting it to the public.
  • (3) For the purposes of section 27 (meaning of “infringing copy”) the question whether the making of an article constituted an infringement of copyright, or would have done if the article had been made in the United Kingdom, shall be determined—
  • (a) in relation to an article made on or after 1st June 1957 and before commencement, by reference to the 1956 Act, and
  • (b) in relation to an article made before 1st June 1957, by reference to the 1911 Act.
  • (4) For the purposes of the application of sections 31(2), 51(2) and 62(3) (subsequent exploitation of things whose making was, by virtue of an earlier provision of the section, not an infringement of copyright) to things made before commencement, it shall be assumed that the new copyright provisions were in force at all material times.
  • (5) Section 55 (articles for producing material in a particular typeface) applies where articles have been marketed as mentioned in subsection (1) before commencement with the substitution for the period mentioned in subsection (3) of the period of 25 years from the end of the calendar year in which the new copyright provisions come into force.
  • (6) Section 56 (transfer of copies, adaptations, &c. of work in electronic form) does not apply in relation to a copy purchased before commencement.
  • (7) In section 65 (reconstruction of buildings) the reference to the owner of the copyright in the drawings or plans is, in relation to buildings constructed before commencement, to the person who at the time of the construction was the owner of the copyright in the drawings or plans under the 1956 Act, the 1911 Act or any enactment repealed by the 1911 Act.
15
  • (1) Section 57 (anonymous or pseudonymous works: acts permitted on assumptions as to expiry of copyright or death of author) has effect in relation to existing works subject to the following provisions.
  • (2) Subsection (1)(b)(i) (assumption as to expiry of copyright) does not apply in relation to—
  • (a) photographs, or
  • (b) the rights mentioned in paragraph 13 above (rights conferred by the Copyright Act 1775).
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16

The following provisions of section 7 of the 1956 Act continue to apply in relation to existing works—

  • (a) subsection (6) (copying of unpublished works from manuscript or copy in library, museum or other institution);
  • (b) subsection (7) (publication of work containing material to which subsection (6) applies), except paragraph (a) (duty to give notice of intended publication);
  • (c) subsection (8) (subsequent broadcasting, performance, &c. of material published in accordance with subsection (7));

and subsection (9)(d) (illustrations) continues to apply for the purposes of those provisions.

17

Where in the case of a dramatic or musical work made before 1st July 1912, the right conferred by the 1911 Act did not include the sole right to perform the work in public, the acts restricted by the copyright shall be treated as not including—

  • (a) performing the work in public,
  • (b) communicating the work to the public, or
  • (c) doing any of the above in relation to an adaptation of the work;

and where the right conferred by the 1911 Act consisted only of the sole right to perform the work in public, the acts restricted by the copyright shall be treated as consisting only of those acts.

18

Where a work made before 1st July 1912 consists of an essay, article or portion forming part of and first published in a review, magazine or other periodical or work of a like nature, the copyright is subject to any right of publishing the essay, article, or portion in a separate form to which the author was entitled at the commencement of the 1911 Act, or would if that Act had not been passed, have become entitled under section 18 of the Copyright Act 1842.

Designs

19
  • (1) Section 51 (exclusion of copyright protection in relation to works recorded or embodied in design document or models) does not apply for ten years after commencement in relation to a design recorded or embodied in a design document or model before commencement.
  • (2) During those ten years the following provisions of Part III (design right) apply to any relevant copyright as in relation to design right—
  • (a) sections 237 to 239 (availability of licences of right), and
  • (b) sections 247 and 248 (application to comptroller to settle terms of licence of right).
  • (3) In section 237 as it applies by virtue of this paragraph, for the reference in subsection (1) to the last five years of the design right term there shall be substituted a reference to the last five years of the period of ten years referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above, or to so much of those last five years during which copyright subsists.
  • (4) In section 239 as it applies by virtue of this paragraph, for the reference in subsection (1)(b) to section 230 there shall be substituted a reference to section 99.
  • (5) Where a licence of right is available by virtue of this paragraph, a person to whom a licence was granted before commencement may apply to the comptroller for an order adjusting the terms of that licence.
  • (6) The provisions of sections 249 and 250 (appeals and rules) apply in relation to proceedings brought under or by virtue of this paragraph as to proceedings under Part III.
  • (7) A licence granted by virtue of this paragraph shall relate only to acts which would be permitted by section 51 if the design document or model had been made after commencement.
  • (8) Section 100 (right to seize infringing copies, &c.) does not apply during the period of ten years referred to in sub-paragraph (1) in relation to anything to which it would not apply if the design in question had been first recorded or embodied in a design document or model after commencement.
  • (9) Nothing in this paragraph affects the operation of any rule of law preventing or restricting the enforcement of copyright in relation to a design.
20

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Abolition of statutory recording licence

21

Section 8 of the 1956 Act (statutory licence to copy records sold by retail) continues to apply where notice under subsection (1)(b) of that section was given before the repeal of that section by this Act, but only in respect of the making of records—

  • (a) within one year of the repeal coming into force, and
  • (b) up to the number stated in the notice as intended to be sold.

Moral rights

22
  • (1) No act done before commencement is actionable by virtue of any provision of Chapter IV of Part I (moral rights).
  • (2) Section 43 of the 1956 Act (false attribution of authorship) continues to apply in relation to acts done before commencement.
23
  • (1) The following provisions have effect with respect to the rights conferred by—
  • (a) section 77 (right to be identified as author or director), and
  • (b) section 80 (right to object to derogatory treatment of work).
  • (2) The rights do not apply—
  • (a) in relation to a literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work of which the author died before commencement; or
  • (b) in relation to a film made before commencement.
  • (3) The rights in relation to an existing literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work do not apply—
  • (a) where copyright first vested in the author, to anything which by virtue of an assignment of copyright made or licence granted before commencement may be done without infringing copyright;
  • (b) where copyright first vested in a person other than the author, to anything done by or with the licence of the copyright owner.
  • (4) The rights do not apply to anything done in relation to a record made in pursuance of section 8 of the 1956 Act (statutory recording licence).
24

The right conferred by section 85 (right to privacy of certain photographs and films) does not apply to photographs taken or films made before commencement.

Assignments and licences

25
  • (1) Any document made or event occurring before commencement which had any operation—
  • (a) affecting the ownership of the copyright in an existing work, or
  • (b) creating, transferring or terminating an interest, right or licence in respect of the copyright in an existing work,

has the corresponding operation in relation to copyright in the work under this Act.

  • (2) Expressions used in such a document shall be construed in accordance with their effect immediately before commencement.
26
  • (1) Section 91(1) of this Act (assignment of future copyright: statutory vesting of legal interest on copyright coming into existence) does not apply in relation to an agreement made before 1st June 1957.
  • (2) The repeal by this Act of section 37(2) of the 1956 Act (assignment of future copyright: devolution of right where assignee dies before copyright comes into existence) does not affect the operation of that provision in relation to an agreement made before commencement.
27
  • (1) Where the author of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work was the first owner of the copyright in it, no assignment of the copyright and no grant of any interest in it, made by him (otherwise than by will) after the passing of the 1911 Act and before 1st June 1957, shall be operative to vest in the assignee or grantee any rights with respect to the copyright in the work beyond the expiration of 25 years from the death of the author.
  • (2) The reversionary interest in the copyright expectant on the termination of that period may after commencement be assigned by the author during his life but in the absence of any assignment shall, on his death, devolve on his legal personal representatives as part of his estate.
  • (3) Nothing in this paragraph affects—
  • (a) an assignment of the reversionary interest by a person to whom it has been assigned,
  • (b) an assignment of the reversionary interest after the death of the author by his personal representatives or any person becoming entitled to it, or
  • (c) any assignment of the copyright after the reversionary interest has fallen in.
  • (4) Nothing in this paragraph applies to the assignment of the copyright in a collective work or a licence to publish a work or part of a work as part of a collective work.
  • (5) In sub-paragraph (4) “collective work” means—
  • (a) any encyclopaedia, dictionary, yearbook, or similar work;
  • (b) a newspaper, review, magazine, or similar periodical; and
  • (c) any work written in distinct parts by different authors, or in which works or parts of works of different authors are incorporated.
28
  • (1) This paragraph applies where copyright subsists in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work made before 1st July 1912 in relation to which the author, before the commencement of the 1911 Act, made such an assignment or grant as was mentioned in paragraph (a) of the proviso to section 24(1) of that Act (assignment or grant of copyright or performing right for full term of the right under the previous law).
  • (2) If before commencement any event has occurred or notice has been given which by virtue of paragraph 38 of Schedule 7 to the 1956 Act had any operation in relation to copyright in the work under that Act, the event or notice has the corresponding operation in relation to copyright under this Act.
  • (3) Any right which immediately before commencement would by virtue of paragraph 38(3) of that Schedule have been exercisable in relation to the work, or copyright in it, is exercisable in relation to the work or copyright in it under this Act.
  • (4) If in accordance with paragraph 38(4) of that Schedule copyright would, on a date after the commencement of the 1956 Act, have reverted to the author or his personal representatives and that date falls after the commencement of the new copyright provisions—
  • (a) the copyright in the work shall revert to the author or his personal representatives, as the case may be, and
  • (b) any interest of any other person in the copyright which subsists on that date by virtue of any document made before the commencement of the 1911 Act shall thereupon determine.
29

Section 92(2) of this Act (rights of exclusive licensee against successors in title of person granting licence) does not apply in relation to an exclusive licence granted before commencement.

Bequests

30
  • (1) Section 93 of this Act (copyright to pass under will with original document or other material thing embodying unpublished work)—
  • (a) does not apply where the testator died before 1st June 1957, and
  • (b) where the testator died on or after that date and before commencement, applies only in relation to an original document embodying a work.
  • (2) In the case of an author who died before 1st June 1957, the ownership after his death of a manuscript of his, where such ownership has been acquired under a testamentary disposition made by him and the manuscript is of a work which has not been published or performed in public, is prima facie proof of the copyright being with the owner of the manuscript.

Remedies for infringement

31
  • (1) Sections 96 and 97 of this Act (remedies for infringement) apply only in relation to an infringement of copyright committed after commencement; section 17 of the 1956 Act continues to apply in relation to infringements committed before commencement.
  • (2) Sections 99 and 100 of this Act (delivery up or seizure of infringing copies, &c.) apply to infringing copies and other articles made before or after commencement; section 18 of the 1956 Act, and section 7 of the 1911 Act, (conversion damages, &c.), do not apply after commencement except for the purposes of proceedings begun before commencement.
  • (3) Sections 101 to 102 of this Act (rights and remedies of exclusive licensee) apply where sections 96 to 100 of this Act apply; section 19 of the 1956 Act continues to apply where section 17 or 18 of that Act applies.
  • (4) Sections 104 to 106 of this Act (presumptions) apply only in proceedings brought by virtue of this Act; section 20 of the 1956 Act continues to apply in proceedings brought by virtue of that Act.
32

Sections 101 and 102 of this Act (rights and remedies of exclusive licensee) do not apply to a licence granted before 1st June 1957.

33
  • (1) The provisions of section 107 of this Act (criminal liability for making or dealing with infringing articles, &c.) apply only in relation to acts done after commencement; section 21 of the 1956 Act (penalties and summary proceedings in respect of dealings which infringe copyright) continues to apply in relation to acts done before commencement.
  • (2) Section 109 of this Act (search warrants) applies in relation to offences committed before commencement in relation to which section 21A or 21B of the 1956 Act applied; sections 21A and 21B continue to apply in relation to warrants issued before commencement.
34
  • (1) The Lord Chancellor may, after consultation with the Lord Advocate, by rules make such provision as he considers necessary or expedient with respect to proceedings pending under Part IV of the 1956 Act immediately before commencement.
  • (2) Rules under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
35

Every work in which copyright subsisted under the 1956 Act immediately before commencement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Part I of this Act as to qualification for copyright protection.

Dependent territories

36
  • (1) The 1911 Act shall remain in force as part of the law of any dependent territory in which it was in force immediately before commencement until—
  • (a) the new copyright provisions come into force in that territory by virtue of an Order under section 157 of this Act (power to extend new copyright provisions), or
  • (b) in the case of any of the Channel Islands, the Act is repealed by Order under sub-paragraph (3) below.
  • (2) An Order in Council in force immediately before commencement which extends to any dependent territory any provisions of the 1956 Act shall remain in force as part of the law of that territory until—
  • (a) the new copyright provisions come into force in that territory by virtue of an Order under section 157 of this Act (power to extend new copyright provisions), or
  • (b) in the case of the Isle of Man, the Order is revoked by Order under sub-paragraph (3) below;

and while it remains in force such an Order may be varied under the provisions of the 1956 Act under which it was made.

  • (3) If it appears to Her Majesty that provision with respect to copyright has been made in the law of any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man otherwise than by extending the provisions of Part I of this Act, Her Majesty may by Order in Council repeal the 1911 Act as it has effect as part of the law of that territory or, as the case may be, revoke the Order extending the 1956 Act there.
  • (4) A dependent territory in which the 1911 or 1956 Act remains in force shall be treated, in the law of the countries to which Part I extends, as a country to which that Part extends; and those countries shall be treated in the law of such a territory as countries to which the 1911 Act or, as the case may be, the 1956 Act extends.
  • (5) If a country in which the 1911 or 1956 Act is in force ceases to be a colony of the United Kingdom, section 158 of this Act (consequences of country ceasing to be colony) applies with the substitution for the reference in subsection (3)(b) to the provisions of Part I of this Act of a reference to the provisions of the 1911 or 1956 Act, as the case may be.
  • (6) In this paragraph “dependent territory” means any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or any colony.
37

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