Publication right

Publication right gives rights broadly equivalent to copyright, to a person who publishes for the first time a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or a film in which copyright has expired.  However, there is one major difference, publication right only lasts for 25 years from the year of publication of the previously unpublished material.

It is important to note that the owner of publication right is the person who first publishes the unpublished material in which copyright has expired which will not necessary be the original owner of the copyright in the work.

This right should not be confused with the protection afforded published editions