“Orphan Works” Licence – IPO issues guidance

The Intellectual Property Office (the IPO) has issued guidance on how to apply for a licence from the IPO to use an Orphan Work so that the risk of copyright infringement is minimised.

An Orphan Work is a piece of copyright work, for example a photograph, where the owner of the copyright work cannot be identified.  It is possible to use the Orphan Work, for example in marketing material or on a website, if a licence from the IPO is granted. 

For more information on this and the IPO guidance on obtaining a licence please see the IPO website: www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence-to-use-an-orphan-work

For more information about Intellectual Property in general, please contact Emma Hayward.