Normal protection provided by the Berne Convention is life of the author plus fifty years from death, with the following exceptions:

Film, cinematographic work: 50 years from the making of the work, or if made available to the public within the 50 years, (i.e. by publication or performance), 50 years from the date the author first makes the work available to the public.

Anonymous works: 50 years from the date made available to the public.

Artistic works, such as photographs and applied art: At least 25 years from creation.

Duration will always run from January 1st of the year following the event indicated.

In the case of work created on behalf of a company, the duration is still linked to the individual person that actually created the work, i.e. the duration is linked to the lifespan of the individual creator(s) rather than the company.

In all cases, individual national laws can, and often will, allow additional protection over and above the terms of the Convention. For example, in the UK most work is protected for the life of the author plus 70 years (see our UK Copyright Law fact sheet). The Convention sets out what authors can realistically expect. There are also exceptions allowed for countries bound by the Rome Act.