Copyright

Copyright owners

Copyright applies automatically from when your work is created, and, in most circumstances, lasts for your lifetime plus 50 years.

Under international treaties, copyright also automatically arises in most other countries in the world.

Copyright is a tool to recognise your rights over your work. It doesn't prevent someone else from independently producing the same work.

You can license others under your copyright or sell your copyright to another person.

• Copyright ownership and protection

  As an owner of copyright works, find out how you can further protect yourself.

• Licensing copyright

  Learn about licencing agencies and how they can help.

• Duration of copyright

  Copyright doesn't last forever. The time limit depends on the category and when it was created.

• Enforcing copyright

  Learn more about the ways in which you can enforce your rights.

Copyright users

Before you use a copyright work, you’ll need to contact the owner and request permission, also known as ‘licence’ or ‘clearance’.

If granted, the licence will usually specify the ways in which the work can be used.

Usually the licence holder will have to pay the copyright owner for the use of the copyright work.

• Finding copyright owners

  You need to contact the owner before using a copyrighted work.

• Getting permission

  If you want to use someone's work you will need to get permission.

• Public use of copyright works

  There are requirements around the use of music and film.

Other information

You can take legal action against any person who infringes your copyright by, for example, copying, selling, performing, or communicating your work without permission in New Zealand or in most countries overseas. 

• Legislation

  The act allows the copyright tribunal to hear certain disputes and includes border protection measures.

• International protection

  International copyright agreements could benefit you when marketing work overseas.

• Crown copyright

  Find out more about how copyright applies to the work created or owned by the New Zealand government.

• Moral and performers' rights

  Authors and directors have certain moral rights. Performers have rights to prevent illegal recording of their performances.

• File sharing infringement

  The New Zealand Copyright Act 1994 includes a file sharing infringement notification process.