How long does it take for a copyright to expire?
April 23, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear Attorney,
I am Georg Hohenwarter and I have a question regarding copyright. Several years ago, I wrote and published a book for which I hold the copyright. Now I am wondering how long this copyright is actually valid and when it will expire. I am concerned that my work could be used or altered without my permission once the copyright expires.
Could you please explain to me how long a copyright is generally valid and if there are differences depending on the type of work or the type of protection? Are there ways to extend or renew the copyright to protect my work for a longer period of time? What steps should I take to ensure that my intellectual property remains protected even after the copyright expires?
I am very grateful for your help and advice on this matter. It is important to me to protect my intellectual property and ensure that my rights as the author are preserved. I look forward to your expertise and possible solutions to clarify my concerns. Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Georg Hohenwarter
Dear Mr. Hohenwarter,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding copyright. It is understandable that you are concerned about how long your copyright on your book is valid and how you can protect your intellectual property in the long term.
In general, under German law, copyright for a work, such as a book, lasts for 70 years after the death of the author. This means that as long as you, as the author, are alive, your work is protected and cannot be used or altered without your permission. After your death, the copyright will pass on to your heirs and will remain valid for another 70 years.
However, there are exceptions and special cases depending on the type of work and the type of protection. For example, in certain works such as films or music, copyright can last longer than 70 years. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialist lawyer in copyright law to clarify the exact regulations and protection periods for your book in your specific case.
There is generally no way to extend or renew copyright. It is an automatic protection that applies according to legal provisions. However, there are measures you can take to ensure that your work remains protected even after the expiration of copyright. This includes using Creative Commons licenses or other licensing models to regulate and control the use of your work.
To protect your intellectual property in the long term, I recommend regularly reviewing your rights as an author and taking legal action if necessary if your work is used without your consent. A specialist lawyer in copyright law can support you in this and provide you with possible solutions.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Chloé Tressel
