Orphan works are creative works or performances that are subject to copyright for which the rights holders are unknown or cannot be found.
Individuals or businesses can search the Orphan Works Register to find details of copyright works that they may wish to licence for commercial or non-commercial purposes. A link to the register is here: https://www.orphanworkslicensing.service.gov.uk/view-register
Once you have found an orphan work then you need to apply for a non-exclusive licence to use the work. A licence for an orphan work lasts 7 years (which is renewable) and applies only in the UK and fees are £20 for the first work and prices decrease per work afterwards.
Successful Applications
If your application is successful, the IPO will ask you if you want to proceed with all the works and uses you have requested. YouÂll be able to remove any works or uses from the application at this stage. If you want to add works or uses, youÂll need to submit a new application.
IPO will also send you the terms and conditions that apply to the licence.
If you want to go ahead, youÂll now need to pay the licence fee. The fee will vary depending on the types of orphan work you want to use and what you want to do with them.
Refused Applications
The IPO may refuse your application for a licence if they believe:
- a proper diligent search hasnÂt been made
- your proposed treatment, adaptation or alteration of the orphan work is derogatory, see paragraph 2.21 of the guidance
- it wouldnÂt be in the public interest to issue a licence
The IPO is working hard to find owners for the orphan works and in the absence of that, the IPO wants the works that have taken skill and effort to create to be used and not forgotten.
