Copyright, Design and Patents Act (1988)

Copyright, Design and Patents Act (1988)

The Copyright, Design and Patents Act is the current UK copyright law. It gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the ways in which their material may be used. The law will cover the following: - 

1. For literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
   70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies, or the work is made available to the public, by authorized performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.
   The Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations 1992 extended the rules covering literary works to include computer programs.
2. Sound Recordings and broadcasts
   50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies, or the work is made available to the public, by authorized release, performance, broadcast, etc.
3. Films  
   70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last principal director, author or composer dies, or the work is made available to the public, by authorized performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.
4. Typographical arrangement of published editions
   25 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first published.

But what would happen if you were to break the law?

The author of the piece or work may send you a polite letter requesting you to say who it belongs to or some form of source for the original owner to get credit or even remove the material from the website.

If more action is required you would be breaking Internet Service Provider Laws and Copyright Laws and could find yourself with a fine of 100,000 pounds, but that's the worse possible situation.

Under certain circumstances you could also go and have a criminal trial in which the fine would be exceedingly higher than the normal and you could potentially face jail time of up to 10 years but that's only if its a very bad criminal offence.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/happens-someone-breaks-copyright-law-55834.html

https://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/uk_law_summary