Jake Palmer

This Practice Note considers film and television copyright issues relating to the underlying works encountered during the making of a film. It covers literary works such as scripts, biographies, characters, set design and location, photographs, the right to privacy of certain photographs or films, music, and performances. This Practice Note also covers copyright permitted acts or exceptions that may apply when various works are included in a film—including fair dealing exceptions, incidental inclusion, reporting court proceedings, filming in a public place, and public interest.

This Practice Note considers copyright issues relating to film and television. It reviews key legislation covering: the definition of a film, the definition of the author of a film, qualifying requirements, the term of protection, the EU Term Directive, soundtracks, broadcast rights and moral rights in relation to films.

This Practice Note deals with orphan works and covers the background and implementation of orphan works legislation and licensing arrangements in the UK including coverage of the EU Orphan Works Directive, Directive 2012/28/EU, which was implemented in the UK by the Copyright and Rights in Performances (Licensing of Orphan Works) Regulations 2014 and the now-repealed Copyright and Rights in Performances (Certain Permitted Uses of Orphan Works) Regulations 2014. The Practice Note covers: applying for a licence, making a diligent search, moral rights, appeals, use of revenues from orphan works and the impact of IP completion day on cultural heritage institutions and the UK Orphan Works Licensing Scheme.

IP analysis: Jake Palmer, associate at Bristows, discusses the UK’s proposal for reciprocal disclosure arrangement for unregistered design rights with the EU.