Do I need to register copyright in New Zealand?

General information from Lawmateanz

No. In New Zealand, copyright protection is automatic as soon as an original work, such as writing, artwork, music, software or photographs, is created in a material form. There's no registration system.

Generally, the author is the first owner, but if you create work as an employee in the course of your job, your employer usually owns it.

Copyright lasts for a set period, generally the author's life plus 50 years for literary and artistic works.

Keep dated records of your work. If someone copies it, a lawyer can advise on options such as a cease-and-desist letter.

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