Copyright

Copyright refers to the exclusive rights given to owners of original works such as literature, artistic works, communication works (eg, broadcasts) films and sound recordings.

In this section

Review of the Copyright Act 1994

The Government is reviewing the Copyright Act 1994.

In November 2018, we released an Issues Paper for the review, which was the first stage of public consultation on the copyright regime. Consultation closed on 5 April 2019.

Performers' rights

The Copyright Act 1994 gives performers limited rights to control the exploitation of their performances where they haven’t given consent.

Copyright protection in New Zealand

Copyright protection in New Zealand including what works qualify, how to protect your copyright and exclusive rights given by copyright.

Copyright protection overseas

New Zealand is party to various international copyright agreements that set out minimum standards of protection for copyright.

Notice process to cover file sharing infringements

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act 2011 sets out a process for dealing with copyright infringements that occur via peer-to-peer file sharing networks.

The Marrakesh Treaty

The Marrakesh Treaty aims to help people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled have access to books and other literary works in accessible formats.