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Copyright

As the World’s leading Rights Managed supplier of Art, Culture and Historic images Bridgeman Images helps you navigate through every aspect of copyright law. Due to the different legal constraints for intellectual copyright in various countries please see our brief breakdown of the various countries copyright laws. For more assistance please contact nysales@bridgemanimages.com.

North America

USA - According to the United States Copyright Office, the term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. To determine the length of copyright protection for a particular work, consult chapter 3 of the Copyright Act (title 17 of the United States Code). As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors. More information on the term of copyright can be found in Circular 15a, Duration of Copyright, and Circular 1, Copyright Basics.

For more information on copyright in the USA, visit the United States Copyright Office website http://www.copyright.gov/.

Canada - According to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, copyright lasts for the life of the author, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author dies, plus 50 years following the end of that calendar year. Copyright in publications with multiple authors lasts until December 31 of the 50th year after the last author dies. Copyright in government publications lasts for the remainder of the calendar year in which the work is first published and for 50 years after that. Different rules apply to performer's performances, sound recordings and communication signals. Please note that other exceptions also exist.

See A Guide to Copyright for more information.

Mexico - According to Mexico’s Federal Law on Copyright, economic rights shall remain in force for the life of the author and 75 years after his death.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=128791.

South America

Argentina – According to Argentina’s Law No. 11.723 of September 28, 1933, on Legal Intellectual Property Regime, ownership of intellectual works shall fall to the authors thereof during their lifetime and to their heirs or legal successors for 70 years starting from January 1 of the year following the author’s death. In cases where an author dies without leaving any heirs and his estate is declared to be vacant, the rights to which the author is entitled in his works shall pass to the State for the whole of the relevant legal term, without prejudice to the rights of third parties.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=225488.

Brazil – According to Brazil’s Law No. 9.610 of February 19, 1998 (Law on Copyright and Neighboring Rights), the author’s economic rights shall be protected for a period of 70 years as from the first of January of the year following his death, subject to observance of the order of succession under civil law.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=125393.

Chile – According to Chile’s Law No. 17.336 on Intellectual Property, the term of protection granted by this Law shall be the life of the author and 70 years after his death.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=270205.

Colombia – According to Columbia’s Law No. 23 of 1982 (January 28) - On Copyright, copyright shall last for the author’s lifetime, and after his death it shall pass to those who have lawfully acquired it for a term of 80 years.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=126023.

Peru – According to Peru’s Copyright Law (Legislative Decree No. 822 of April 23, 1996), the term of economic rights shall be the lifetime of the author and 70 years following his death, regardless of the country of origin of the work, and shall be transferred on death in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=129300.

Venezuela – According to the Law on Copyright of Venezuela, copyright shall subsist for the lifetime of the author and shall expire after 60 years counted from January 1 of the year following his death, including the copyright in works not disclosed in his lifetime.

For more information, find the full text at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=130135.

 

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