How Long Does Copyright Last in the UK?
Most UK copyright lasts the creator’s life plus 70 years — but sound recordings, broadcasts and typography differ. Here is the full breakdown, and what “public domain” means.
Copyright
Copyright in the UK is automatic and free — you own your creative work the moment you make it, with nothing to register and no fee to pay.Our free, plain-English guides for writers, artists, designers and makers in England & Wales explain how to protect your work for free, whether you need to register copyright at all, and what to do if someone copies your work.Every guide is free to read — and when you’re ready, Chris can help you draft your own documents to a professional standard, in minutes.
Someone Copied My Work — What Can I Do? (UK)
Your step-by-step options when someone copies your creative work in the UK — from a cease-and-desist letter to a takedown, mostly without a solicitor.
Do You Need to Register Copyright in the UK?
Short answer: no. There is no UK copyright register. Here is why, and what to do instead to prove you own your work.
Copyright in the UK: How to Protect Your Creative Work for Free
In the UK copyright is automatic and free — you can’t register it. Here is how it works, how long it lasts, and the simple steps that make it easy to enforce.