U.K. extends copyright term for recorded performances from 50 to 70 years

By Min Wu

The U.K. is implementing an E.U. directive into its domestic law, so that artists who performed on sound recordings will have the benefit of an extension of copyright protection from 50 to 70 years. According to Intellectual Property Watch, the U.K. Minister for Intellectual Property praised the implementation as bring “lasting benefits” for U.K.’s “world class recording artists.”

The E.U. directive was approved by E.U. member states in September 2011 and the U.K. government has implemented the directive on time. The directive also harmonizes the length of the copyright term for co-written works.