When does a work enter the public domain in the EU?

A work enters the public domain on 1 January of the year following 70 years after the author's death. A work by an author who died on any date in 1954 entered the EU public domain on 1 January 2025.

How is copyright duration calculated for works of joint authorship?

For jointly authored works, the 70-year period runs from the death of the last surviving author. For anonymous or pseudonymous works, the period runs from first publication, or 70 years from creation if unpublished.

Copyright Duration Life + 70 Years (EU) Calculator

Calculate EU copyright expiry date as life of author + 70 years from the end of the year of death. Covers literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works under EU Directive 2006/116/EC.

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⚖ For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.

How It Works

Calculate EU copyright expiry date as life of author + 70 years from the end of the year of death. Covers literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works under EU Directive 2006/116/EC

Each component has a specific meaning:

End of the year of death — The end of the year of death recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the copyright duration (eu) result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the end of the year of death for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate EU copyright expiry date as life of author + 70 years from the end of the year of death. Covers literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works under EU Directive 2006/116/EC. Use the copyright duration (eu) result to inform your calculation.