UK Copyright

UK copyright law grants creators of original works—such as writing, music, films, and art—the exclusive rights to use, reproduce, distribute, or display their creations. These rights automatically apply when a work is created and last for the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years. Copyright encourages innovation by allowing creators to control how their work is used and to earn income from it. However, limited exceptions exist for fair use, education, or commentary, meaning others can sometimes use copyrighted material without permission under specific circumstances.