For published authors' works (with the exception of photographs), copyright subsists until the expiration of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the author died. Copyright subsists in photographs until the expiration of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the photograph was first published.

If a work is unpublished, copyright subsists until the expiration of 50 years after the expiration of the calendar year in which the work was first published. Thus, if there is no publication, copyright appears to be perpetual.

This article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should NOT be treated as legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought by you about your particular case and special circumstances.

For further information/enquiries, please contact:

Mr TAN Bok Hoay or Mr Simon SEOW
Donaldson & Burkinshaw
24 Raffles Place
#15-00
Clifford Centre
Singapore 048621
SINGAPORE

Tel: (65) 533 9422
Fax: (65) 533 7806

You may also wish to read through related material on Intellectual Property matters in Singapore provided by Donaldson & Burkinshaw. You can view the entire archive via the Internet on Business Monitor Online (http://www.businessmonitor.co.uk), or via your online provider by entering "Donaldson & Burkinshaw" and "Business Monitor" as a free text search.