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What is Copyright?

Written by Press Officer on .

1. What is copyright?

Copyright is a legal property right, regulated in Ireland by the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000. It gives the owner of a creative work—such as a song, a piece of music, a book, or a film—the right to permit or prevent others from using that work.

2. What kinds of works are protected by copyright?

Copyright applies to many types of creative works, including:

  • Songs and musical compositions
  • Literary works (books, poems, scripts)
  • Artistic works (paintings, photographs, designs)
  • Sound recordings and films
  • Dramatic works (plays, choreography)

3. What rights does copyright give me?

As the copyright owner, you have the right to allow or prevent certain activities—known as restricted acts—such as:

  • Making a copy of your work
  • Making your work available to the public
  • Creating an adaptation or arrangement of your work

4. What is meant by ‘making a copy’?

This includes reproducing your work in any form—digitally or physically. For example, recording a performance, photocopying sheet music, or duplicating a digital audio file.

5. How is copyright different from other intellectual property rights?

Copyright is one form of intellectual property—a category that covers all intangible creations of the mind, such as:

  • Copyright (creative works)
  • Patents (inventions)
  • Trade marks (brands, logos)
  • Design rights (appearance of products)

6. How long does copyright last?

The duration depends on the type of work and when it was created, but in general, for musical works, copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the creator.

7. Do I have to register for copyright?

In Ireland, copyright protection is automatic—you do not need to register your work. It exists as soon as your work is created and fixed in a tangible form.

8. What happens if someone uses my work without permission?

If someone performs a restricted act without your consent, they may be infringing your copyright. You can take action to stop the infringement and may be entitled to compensation.

9. How does IMRO help with copyright?

IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation) helps songwriters, composers, and music publishers manage their rights by licensing the public use of music and collecting royalties on their behalf.

10. Where can I learn more?

You can read the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 or visit our dedicated Copyright Information section for guidance.