Thailand Law Library

by Thailand Lawyer

Part 4: Term of Copyright Protection

Subject to Section 21 and Section 22, copyright by virtue of this Act endures for the life of the author and fifty years after the death of the author.

In the case of a work of joint authorship, copyright endures for the life of the joint-authors and fifty years as from the death of the last surviving joint-author.

If the author or all joint-authors is or are dead prior to the publication of the work, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication of the work.

In the case of the author being a juristic person, copyright endures for fifty years as from the authorship; provided that if the work is published during such period, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication.

Copyright by virtue of this Act in a work which is created by a pseudonymous or anonymous author endures for fifty years as from the authorship; provided that if the work is published during such period, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication.

If the identity of the author becomes known, Section 19 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Copyright in a photographic work, an audiovisual work, a cinematographic work, a sound recording or an audio and video broadcasting work endures for fifty years as from the authorship; provided that if the work is published during such period, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication.

Copyright in a work of applied art endures for twenty- five years as from the authorship; provided that if the work is published during such period, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication.

Copyright in a work which is created in the course of employment, instruction or control in accordance with Section 14 endures for fifty years as from the authorship; provided that if the work is published during such period, copyright endures for fifty years as from the first publication.

The publication under Section 19, Section 20, Section 21, Section 22 or Section 23 which is the commencement of the term of copyright protection means the publication of the work with consent of the owner of copyright.

When the term of copyright protection expires during a year and the expiry date is not the last calendar day of the year or the exact date of expiration is not known, copyright endures until the last day of that calendar year.

The publication of a copyright work after the expiration of the term of copyright protection shall not cause anew the copyright in such work.