Watch what you take pictures of...

S0litaire

The idiot factory that is the UK government is bringing in an extension and strengthening of copyright law from 25 years after the creators death to 70 years!

Which in basic terms means if you have any item which is under any sort of copyright you need a licence from the copyright holder to use it in a photograph, if it's for commercial gain! (Although is aimed at professional photographers it can cover non-professional photographer in some cases!)

So want to sell that iconic peace of furniture on eBay? Then you can't use a photograph unless you obtain a licence from the holder of the copyright (if you can find out who that is, that is!!) And pay them for the privilege!


http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/12/you-may-soon-need-a-licence-to-take-photos-of-that-classic-designer-chair-you-bought/

System

you need a licence from the copyright holder to use it in a photograph, if it's for commercial gain!

So want to sell that iconic peace of furniture on eBay?

Not a very good example. You have the furniture and just want to sell it cos it clutters up the place - no COMMERCIAL gain there.

If you are selling as a business then you should be fully aware of copyright rules anyway. This just extends the period - it's nothing new

RumRat

Another load of B*ll*cks that 99% of the population will ignore and never be bothered with.....

Nilrem

I thought it was generally death +70 and had been for a while.

I remember Great Ormand Street Hospital having a new Peter Pan story written a few years back specifically because their copyright on the characters was about to run out (at which point Disney would have no longer had to pay fees for their use).

Neil_Jones

Nilrem wrote: »

I thought it was generally death +70 and had been for a while.

Has been since 1988.


The article in question is referring to artistic works that have been industrially exploited. Thus, when more than 50 copies of these artistic works are made the current period of protection is limited to 25 years, compared to other artistic works which are protected by copyright for the life of the creator plus 70 years.

There is a consultation here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/483203/Section_52_consultation.pdf

I remember Great Ormand Street Hospital having a new Peter Pan story written a few years back specifically because their copyright on the characters was about to run out (at which point Disney would have no longer had to pay fees for their use).

J M Barrie gave the copyright of Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929. Barrie himself died in 1937 and prior to the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, Peter Pan was out of copyright at the end of 1987, as it was then life + 50 years. The 1988 act upped this to life + 70 years but has a clause that effectively gives GOSH perpetual rights to royalties from Peter Pan.