Feed for UK ActsCrown Copyright FAQs
Questions
- Can I print off legislation which is featured on the OPSI website?
- What is Crown copyright?
- What sort of material is covered by Crown copyright?
- Where can I find out more about the licensing of Crown copyright material?
- Do government departments have any responsibility for licensing Crown copyright?
- What is delegated authority?
- How can I find out which departments have delegated authority?
- Are databases automatically covered by Crown copyright?
- What authority does the Queen's Printer/ Controller of HMSO have to manage Crown copyright and Crown databases?
- How long does Crown copyright last?
- What is meant by a waiver of copyright?
- What material is covered by waiver conditions?
- Are documents such as driving licences and passports covered by the waiver of Crown copyright?
- Do I need a licence for material which is not covered by waiver conditions?
- How will I know if material is Crown copyright?
- How do I know whether an organisation is a Crown body (and so a producer of Crown copyright material)?
- Can I re-use material that appears on government websites?
- Can I reproduce Birth, Death , Marriage and Civil Partnership Certificates?
- Can I reproduce Census data?
Questions and Answers
Q. Can I print off legislation which is featured on the OPSI website?
A. Yes. The Crown has waived its copyright for UK legislation.
Q. What is Crown copyright?
A. Copyright material which is produced by employees of the Crown in the course of their duties. Most material originated by ministers and civil servants is protected by Crown copyright. For guidance about a range of copyright and access issues see the Crown copyright guidance notes.
Q. What sort of material is covered by Crown copyright?
A. It covers a wide range of material, including legislation, government codes of practice, Ordnance Survey mapping, government reports, official press releases, government forms and many public records.
Q. Where can I find out more about the licensing of Crown copyright material?
A. Click-Use is our online licensing system, providing information about the three licences available, what material they cover and how to apply.
Q. Do government departments have any responsibility for licensing Crown copyright?
A. All departments have delegated authority from the Controller of HMSO to authorise private sector organisations to publish official versions of material on their behalf. Departments also have authority to authorise the re-use of their departmental logos.
Most government trading funds have delegated authority to license the re-use of material that they originate. Departments which run photographic/film archives also operate under delegated authority as there is such a close link between the licensing and supply of prints, negatives and copies of films.
Q. What is delegated authority?
A. It covers those cases where the Controller has authorised a government department to license the re-use of Crown copyright material. This takes place where there are sound policy or practical benefits in doing so.
Q. How can I find out which departments have delegated authority?
A. See the list of departments with delegated authority. Applications to re-use material produced by these departments should be sent direct to them.
Q. Are databases automatically covered by Crown copyright?
A. No, databases enjoy separate protection under the Database Regulations. Generally, the database right is held by the person or organisation that has made the arrangements for the database to be created.
Q. What authority does the Queen's Printer/ Controller of HMSO have to manage Crown copyright and Crown databases?
A. The Queen's Printer and the Controller of HMSO has been granted Letters Patent that authorise her to manage copyrights and databases owned by the Crown.
Q. How long does Crown copyright last?
A.This depends on whether the work has been published.
Crown copyright work which has been published will have copyright protection for 50 years from the end of the year in which the work was published.
Unpublished works have a period of protection of 125 years from the end of the year in which the work was made or until 31 December 2039 (i.e. 50 years from the year in which the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 came into force).
Copyright in a work which has been assigned to the Crown lasts 70 years after the death of the person who created it.
Q. What is meant by a waiver of copyright?
A. Waiver means that although copyright is asserted, Government wishes to encourage the widespread use of the material. Users are permitted to copy or publish the material in any medium without having to seek formal permission or to pay a fee. Users should make sure that:
- the material is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context;
- that the material is correctly acknowledged and that the source and status of the material is identified.
Q. What material is covered by waiver conditions?
A. The following are covered with links to specific guidance where appropriate
- Public Records
- Government Forms - only blank forms, not completed forms
- United Kingdom, England, Wales and Northern Ireland Primary and Secondary Legislation
- National Curriculum Material for England
- Government Press Notices and Press Notices Issued by the Scottish Government
- National Curriculum Material for Wales
- Acts of the Scottish Parliament, Explanatory Notes to Acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Statutory Instruments
- Government consultation documents
- Scottish National Curriculum Documents
- Information on official websites unless otherwise stated
- Ministerial speeches and articles
- Headline statistics
Q. Are documents such as driving licences and passports covered by the waiver of Crown copyright?
A. No, Identity and security documents such as driving licences and passports are not covered.
Q. Do I need a licence for material which is not covered by waiver conditions?
A. Yes. Most Crown copyright material can be re-used under the Click-Use Licence system
Q. How will I know if material is Crown copyright?
A. Most published material will feature a Crown copyright statement © Crown copyright. If you are in doubt, it is advisable to check with us. Copyright which has been assigned to the Crown will normally feature one of the copyright lines - © Controller and Queen’s Printer or © Queen ’ Printer for Scotland.
Q. How do I know whether an organisation is a Crown body (and so a producer of Crown copyright material)?
A. We have produced a comprehensive list of UK Crown Bodies.
Q. Can I re-use material that appears on government websites?
A. Most government websites will feature a statement saying how the information on the site may be used. If no such notice appears, the material (excluding the Royal Arms and departmental logos) may be reproduced freely, provided it is reproduced accurately and is not used in a misleading context.
Q. Can I reproduce Birth, Death , Marriage and Civil Partnership Certificates?
Q. Can I reproduce Census data?
A. Statistics from the 1991 and 2001 census are classified as Core Material and can be reproduced under the Click-Use Licence