In New Zealand and Australia copyright is granted automatically and comes into existence when an original work is created. Copyright protects how an idea is expressed and can exist in original works such as photos, music, drawings, sculptures and films.

Copyright law allows the owner of a work to prevent someone from copying their work which is identical or substantially similar. However, it does not allow for a remedy against a person who independently arrives at a work that is substantially similar to yours.

In both Australia and New Zealand border protection notices can be lodged with customs which permit them to seize goods that infringe copyright if they imported into the country.

The term for copyright protection in New Zealand usually lasts 50 years from the end of the year in which the author dies. However there is an exception for three diminentional products in that copyright may only last for 16 years from the date the product was made if more than 50 copies of the products were produced.

In Australia the term of copyright in Australia is generally 70 years from the death of the creator of the author.

If you would like any more information regarding copyright then please just give us a call.