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340
NO. 22 OF 2021


(i) the film (insofar as it is a dramatic work for the purposes of that Act); or
(ii) photographs forming part of the film.

Authorial works made before 10 April 1987—copyright reverts to author’s estate 25 years after death

525.—(1) Subject to subsection (5), this section applies where—

(a) an authorial work was made before 10 April 1987; and
(b) the author was the first owner of the copyright in the work under this Act.

(2) If—

(a) the author assigned, or granted an interest in, the copyright; and
(b) the assignment or grant—
(i) was made at any time after 1 July 1912 and before 10 April 1987;
(ii) was not by will; and
(iii) would have effect in relation to the copyright by virtue of section 524,

the assignment or grant does not give the assignee or grantee any rights beyond the expiry of 25 years after the death of the author.

(3) On the author’s death, the reversionary interest in the copyright expectant on the expiry of 25 years after the death of the author devolves, despite any contrary agreement, to the legal personal representative of the author as part of the author’s estate.

(4) Any agreement entered into by the author is void to the extent that it purports to dispose of the interest that devolves under subsection (3).

(5) This section does not apply to—

(a) the assignment of the copyright in a collective work; or
(b) a licence to publish a work or a part of a work as part of a collective work.