Polish copyright law
Encyclopedia
Polish copyright law is regulated by the act from 1994.
The first Polish copyright law act has been enacted in 1926 (although copyright issues have been regulated on territories of partitioned Poland in 19th century by governments of German Empire
, Russian Empire
and Austro-Hungary). Poland signed the Berne Convention
in 1919, soon after regaining independence in 1918.
The main acts that have regulated Polish copyright law have been:
Polish copyright law complies to a large extent with legislation in European Union, see EU Copyright Directive.
According to the Art.3 of copyright law of March 29, 1926 (valid until 1952) and Art. 2 of copyright law of July 10, 1952 of the People's Republic of Poland, all photographs by Polish photographers (or published for the first time in Poland or simultaneously in Poland and abroad) printed without a clear copyright notice before the law was changed on May 23, 1994 are public domain. Status of those photographs did not change after Polish Copyright Law of February 4, 1994 was enacted. (See: Template:PD-Polish)
According to the Polish Copyright Law of February 4, 1994 (Article 4, case 2) "governmental symbols, documents, materials and signs are not subject to copyrights". However in some instances the use of this image in Poland might be regulated by other laws. It is being debated if postage stamps fall into this category. (See: Template:PD-Polishsymbol)
According to the Art.21 of copyright law of March 29, 1926 (valid until 1952) photographs lose copyright protection ten years after picture was taken. Series of scientific or artistic pictures lose copyright protection after 50 years. According to Art. 27 of copyright law of July 10, 1952 (valid until May 23, 1994) photographs and series of photographs lose copyright protection ten years after publication date.
The first Polish copyright law act has been enacted in 1926 (although copyright issues have been regulated on territories of partitioned Poland in 19th century by governments of German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
, Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
and Austro-Hungary). Poland signed the Berne Convention
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, usually known as the Berne Convention, is an international agreement governing copyright, which was first accepted in Berne, Switzerland in 1886.- Content :...
in 1919, soon after regaining independence in 1918.
The main acts that have regulated Polish copyright law have been:
-
-
- Polish Copyright Law from 1926 (Polish original, amended version from 1935) (Dz.U.Dziennik UstawDziennik Ustaw or Dziennik Ustaw Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej is the most important Polish publication of legal acts. It is the only official source of law for promulgation of Polish laws. The publication of this journal is solely the responsibility of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland...
RP 1935; Pos. 260) - Polish Copyright Law from 1926 (Polish original, amended in 1952) (Dz.U.52.34.234)
- Polish Copyright Law from 4 February 1994 (Polish original) (Dz. U. nr 80 z 2000r. poz. 904)
- Polish Copyright Law from 4 February 1994 (English)
- Polish Copyright Law from 1926 (Polish original, amended version from 1935) (Dz.U.
-
Polish copyright law complies to a large extent with legislation in European Union, see EU Copyright Directive.
According to the Art.3 of copyright law of March 29, 1926 (valid until 1952) and Art. 2 of copyright law of July 10, 1952 of the People's Republic of Poland, all photographs by Polish photographers (or published for the first time in Poland or simultaneously in Poland and abroad) printed without a clear copyright notice before the law was changed on May 23, 1994 are public domain. Status of those photographs did not change after Polish Copyright Law of February 4, 1994 was enacted. (See: Template:PD-Polish)
According to the Polish Copyright Law of February 4, 1994 (Article 4, case 2) "governmental symbols, documents, materials and signs are not subject to copyrights". However in some instances the use of this image in Poland might be regulated by other laws. It is being debated if postage stamps fall into this category. (See: Template:PD-Polishsymbol)
According to the Art.21 of copyright law of March 29, 1926 (valid until 1952) photographs lose copyright protection ten years after picture was taken. Series of scientific or artistic pictures lose copyright protection after 50 years. According to Art. 27 of copyright law of July 10, 1952 (valid until May 23, 1994) photographs and series of photographs lose copyright protection ten years after publication date.