How long does copyright last and can I use very old works?

Under the Copyright Act 1994, for most literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years, although terms can vary for particular types of work, so check the current position for the work concerned. For photographs, the term depends on whether the work was created before or after the current Act, and older works may have different terms. Publication date and the author's death date are the key facts. Works for which the author is unknown can have different terms. A book published in the early twentieth century is likely to be out of copyright if the author died more than 50 years ago, but a modern edition may have new copyright in the typography, notes or translation. Seek confirmation from the National Library or a lawyer.