Polish copyright law

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:::*" [http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafika:Prawo_autorskie_1935.pdf Polish Copyright Law from 1926 (Polish original, amended version from 1935)] ] (Dz.U. RP 1935; Pos. 260)::*" (Dz.U.52.34.234)::*"" (Dz. U. nr 80 z 2000r. poz. 904)::*""

Polish copyright law complies to a large extent with legislation in European Union, see EU Copyright Directive.

According to the Art.3 of (valid until 1952) and Art. 2 of 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 was enacted. (See: )

According to the (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 if postage stamps fall into this category. (See: )

According to the Art.21 of (valid until 1952) photographs loose copyright protection ten years after picture was taken. Series of scientific or artistic pictures loose copyright protection after 50 years. According to Art. 27 of (valid until May 23, 1994) photographs and series of photographs loose copyright protection ten years after publication date. However, retroactive Art. 124, put all those images back under copyright protection, for 70 years since the death of the author.

in article 33 point 1 allows to propagate works that are permanently exhibited on the publicly accessible roads, streets, squares or gardens provided that the propagation is not for the same use. The name of the creator and source should be provided if it is possible by article 34. This use is royalty free, provided that it does not harm the legitimate interests of the creator by article 34.

ee also

*Copyright
*Public domain
*
*

External links

* [http://www.worldlink-law.com/pdf/intellectual_property_poland.pdf Protecting Intellectual Property in Poland]