Orphan Works

Orphan works are creative materials—like books, music, films, or photographs—whose copyright owners cannot be identified or located. This situation arises when the original creator has passed away or moved, and their rights are not transferred to someone else. As a result, these works are often difficult to use legally, as permission from the copyright holder is typically required. This can hinder access to cultural heritage and creative expression, prompting debates about how to make these works available while respecting intellectual property rights.