Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 facts for kids
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| Long title | This law helps protect original creative works, designs, and inventions. |
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| Citation | 1988 c. 48 |
| Territorial extent | Applies mostly to the UK, with some parts extending to Bermuda. |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 November 1988 |
| Commencement | Started working in stages from 1988 to 1991. |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Updated by other laws like the Broadcasting Acts and various regulations. |
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Status: Amended
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (often called the CDPA) is an important law in the United Kingdom. It sets out the rules for copyright, design rights, and patents. This law helps protect the original creations of people, like books, music, inventions, and designs.
Before this law, copyright rules in the UK came from an older law, the Copyright Act 1956. The CDPA updated and combined these rules. It helps make sure that creators get credit and control over their work.
Contents
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal right that protects original creative works. It means that only the creator, or someone they give permission to, can copy, share, or perform their work. Think of it as owning the rights to your own ideas when they are put into a creative form.
What Does Copyright Protect?
The CDPA protects many different types of creative works. These include:
- Literary works: Like books, poems, articles, and even computer programs.
- Dramatic works: Such as plays, scripts, and dance performances.
- Musical works: This covers songs, melodies, and compositions.
- Artistic works: For example, paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and architectural designs.
- Films: Movies and videos.
- Sound recordings: Recorded music or spoken words.
- Broadcasts: TV and radio shows.
- Published editions: The way a book or magazine is laid out and printed.
How Long Does Copyright Last?
For most creative works, copyright usually lasts for 70 years after the creator dies. This means that after a creator passes away, their work is still protected for a long time. For works made using a computer, the copyright lasts for 50 years. This helps creators and their families benefit from their work for many years.
What are Design Rights?
Design rights protect the way something looks. This is different from copyright, which protects creative works. Design rights protect the shape, pattern, or decoration of a product. For example, the unique shape of a new type of chair or the pattern on a fabric could be protected by a design right.
Why are Design Rights Important?
Design rights encourage people to create new and interesting product designs. If someone spends time and effort designing a cool new gadget, design rights help stop others from simply copying their exact design. This encourages innovation and creativity in how products look.
What are Patents?
Patents protect inventions. If someone invents something new, useful, and not obvious, they can apply for a patent. A patent gives the inventor the exclusive right to make, use, and sell their invention for a certain period, usually 20 years.
Why are Patents Important?
Patents are important because they encourage people to invent new things. Knowing that their invention will be protected for a while gives inventors a reason to spend time and money on research and development. This helps new technologies and solutions come to life, benefiting everyone.
Why is the CDPA Important?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is a very important law. It helps protect the hard work and creativity of artists, writers, musicians, designers, and inventors. By doing so, it encourages new creations and innovations, which makes our world more interesting and advanced. It also helps ensure that creators can earn a living from their original ideas.
Images for kids
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Illustration of Peter Pan playing the pipes, by F. D. Bedford from Peter and Wendy (1911). The copyright for Peter Pan was famously extended by this Act for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
