# Copyright at UNSW

**Source**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/copyright/duration_of_copyright
**Parent**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/copyright/plagiarism_contract_cheating

The duration of copyright varies depending on the type of material, its country of origin and when it was created. From 1 January 2019, new changes to Australian copyright duration laws apply:

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| **Literary works:**   - where the author is known – the life of the author plus 70 years - where the author is generally unknown:   - if made public within 50 years of creation – 70 years from when it was made public   - if not made public – 70 years from creation. |
| **Films and sound recordings:**   - if made public within 50 years of creation – 70 years from when it was made public - if not made public – 70 years from creation. |

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​For more details of the copyright terms, refer to the Department of Communications and the Arts table on the [Duration of copyright](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-centre/publications/fact-sheet-upcoming-changes-copyright-duration) page.

To help determine the copyright terms of materials, see [ALCC copyright term flowcharts](https://alacc.org.au/copyright-term-flowcharts/).

Adapted from [ALCC’](https://alacc.org.au/resources/)s information sheet on copyright term changes coming 2019. Licenced under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)