Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000

Duration of copyright in films.

25.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the copyright in a film shall expire 70 years after the last of the following persons dies, namely:

(a) the principal director of the film;

(b) the author of the screenplay of the film;

(c) the author of the dialogue of the film;

(d) the author of music specifically composed for use in the film.

(2) Where a film is first lawfully made available to the public during the period of 70 years following the death of the last of the persons specified in subsection (1), the copyright in that film shall expire 70 years after the date of such making available.

(3) Where the copyright in a film has expired, a person who, after such expiration, makes available to the public the film or causes the film to be so made available shall not infringe the copyright in any work included in the film.