EU copyright on Joyce works expires

The Irish Times

James Joyce photographed in Zurich in 1938

TERENCE KILLEEN

Copyright on James Joyce’s works in the European Union expired at midnight.
From today, writings published during Joyce’s lifetime – Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake – are available for publication and quotation without reference or payment to the Irish author's estate.

Joyce died on January 13th, 1941; originally, copyright in these works in Britain and Ireland extended for 50 years, until 1991. However, some two years after that date, EU copyright law was harmonised to bring it into line with German practice and the period was extended to 70 years.

The end of copyright protection will enable creative artists and theatre companies to stage adaptations and re-enactments. Public broadcast will also be possible. Joyce’s solitary play, Exiles, can also be freely staged, and productions are likely.
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