Cap 528 s 19 Duration of copyright in films (COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE)

Contents of Section

Chapter:	528	Title:	COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE	Gazette Number:
Section:	19	Heading:	Duration of copyright in films	Version Date:	30/06/1997

(1) The following provisions have effect with respect to the duration of copyright in a film.
(2) Copyright expires at the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the death occurs of the last to die of the following persons-

(a) the principal director;

(b) the author of the screenplay;

(d) the composer of music specially created for and used in the film,

subject as follows.
(3) If the identity of one or more of the persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) to (d) is known and the identity of one or more others is not, the reference in that subsection to the death of the last of them to die is to be construed as a reference to the death of the last whose identity is known.
(4) If the identity of the persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) to (d) is unknown, copyright expires at-

(a) the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the film was made; or

(b) if during that period the film is made available to the public, at the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it is first so made available.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) apply if the identity of any of those persons becomes known before the end of the period specified in subsection (4)(a) or (b).
(6) For the purposes of subsection (4) making available to the public includes-

(a) showing in public;

(b) making available of copies of a work to the public within the meaning of section 26; or

but in determining generally for the purposes of that subsection whether a film has been made available to the public no account is to be taken of any unauthorized act.
(7) If in any case there is no person falling within subsection (2)(a) to (d) the above provisions do not apply and copyright expires at the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the film was made.
(8) For the purposes of this section the identity of any of the persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) to (d) is to be regarded as unknown if it is not possible for a person to ascertain his identity by reasonable inquiry; but if the identity of any such person is once known it shall not subsequently be regarded as unknown.

[cf. 1988 c. 48 s. 13B U.K.]