Copyright: orphan works
How to get permission to copy a creative work for which the right holder(s) cannot be found ie an orphan work.
- From:
- Intellectual Property Office
- Published
- 12 May 2015
- Last updated
-
91JulyDecember20242025 — See all updates
Overview
Watch Orphan works video on YouTube
Orphan works are creative works or performances that are subject to copyright - like a diary, photograph, film or piece of music for which one or more of the right holders is either unknown or cannot be found.
An orphan works licence:
- applies only for use in the UK
- can be for commercial or non-commercial use
- is non-exclusive (not restricted to a single licensee)
- can last up to 7 years
- will be able to be renewed
Search the orphan works register
View the orphan works register for details of:
- applications for orphan works licences
- licences that have been granted
- applications that have been refused
Before you apply for a licence
- check that the work you want to copy is still in copyright because if it isn’t, you don’t need a licence to use it
- check whether the use falls within one of the copyright Exceptions to copyright
- read the Orphan works overview for applicants
- carry out a Orphan works diligent search guidance for applicants for right holders in accordance with IPO published guidance
- complete the diligent search checklist(s) and convert these to one PDF document to upload as part of the application process”
Costs: application and licence fees
The cost of getting a licence includes an application fee and a licence fee.
The fees are calculated and displayed at the start of the online application process before you decide whether to go ahead with your application. The fee will depend on how many different works and uses you want to license.
In some cases, the licence fee will be set on a ‘price on application’ basis. If the use you want to make of the work is not listed on the online application form, you should contact the IPO at orphanworkslicensing@ipo.gov.uk for details of the fee.
You’ll need to pay the application fee when you submit the application (see table below). This is non-refundable. At this stage you do not need to pay the licence fee.
| Number of works | Fee | Number of works | Fee | Number of works | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £20 | 11 | £42 | 21 | £62 |
| 2 | £24 | 12 | £44 | 22 | £64 |
| 3 | £26 | 13 | £46 | 23 | £66 |
| 4 | £28 | 14 | £48 | 24 | £68 |
| 5 | £30 | 15 | £50 | 25 | £70 |
| 6 | £32 | 16 | £52 | 26 | £72 |
| 7 | £34 | 17 | £54 | 27 | £74 |
| 8 | £36 | 18 | £56 | 28 | £76 |
| 9 | £38 | 19 | £58 | 29 | £78 |
| 10 | £40 | 20 | £60 | 30 | £80 |
Payment can only be made by credit or debit card.
Apply for an orphan works licence
TheOur Apply for anOrphan orphanWorks worksLicence licenceservices service will be unavailable between 6:30am7am Saturdayto 13 July9am andon 10pmTuesday Sunday2 14December July 2024.2025.
To apply for a licence, complete the Apply to license an orphan work online application form.
If the licence is for a photograph or a still visual image, you will need to upload an image of it as part of the application process.
After you’ve made an application
IPO will let you know by email that they’ve received your application. They’ll consider your application including checking that an adequate diligent search has been made.
They’ll add certain details of your application to the orphan works register.
They’ll aim to contact you about your application within 10 working days. This may not always be possible if the application is complex or involves a large number of different works with different right holders.
Successful applications
If your application is successful, IPO will ask you if you want to proceed with all the works and uses you have requested. You’ll be able to remove any works or uses from the application at this stage. If you want to add works or uses, you’ll need to submit a new application.
IPO will also send you the terms and conditions that apply to the licence. A set of standard terms and conditions is included in the Orphan works overview for applicants.
If you want to go ahead, you’ll now need to pay the licence fee. The fee will vary depending on the types of orphan work you want to use and what you want to do with them.
Whenever you use the work, you’ll need to:
- provide contact details for the IPO
- include the orphan works application number
- credit the right holder if you know their name
Refused applications
IPO may refuse your application for a licence if they think:
- a proper diligent search hasn’t been made
- your proposed treatment, adaptation or alteration of the orphan work is derogatory, see paragraph 2.21 of the Orphan works overview for applicants
- it wouldn’t be in the public interest to issue a licence
Right holders
If you are a right holder and believe your work is the subject of an application for a licence, or your work has already been licensed as an orphan work, you can:
- contact IPO to stop the application if a licence has not yet been issued
- contact IPO to claim the licence fee that has been paid
In both cases, the work will be on the View the orphan works register. If you want to make a claim, use the contact form which can be found when viewing the details of an individual work.
Once a right holder has been identified, no further licences will be issued. Further guidance is available for Orphan works process for returning right holders.
Make a complaint or appeal
Applicants
- If your application has been refused, or you’re not happy about a licence condition or the licence fee charged, you should contact the IPO at: orphanworkslicensing@ipo.gov.uk
- If you’re still not happy about the licence condition or licence fee, you have the right to Orphan works appeals process to an IPO official not involved in the original decision.
- If the issue can’t be resolved, you can appeal to the Copyright Tribunal at copyrighttribunal@ipo.gov.uk
Right holders
- If you’re not happy with the actions IPO have taken, contact them at: orphanworkslicensing@ipo.gov.uk in the first instance.
- If you’re still not happy you have the right to Orphan works appeals process to an IPO official not involved in the original decision.
- If the issue can’t be resolved you can appeal to the First Tier Tribunal at grc@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
The tribunal can only consider complaints that IPO have acted improperly or have not met their obligations under the The Copyright and Rights in Performances (Licensing of Orphan Works) Regulations 2014.
If your complaint is that the IPO has failed to accept that you are the right holder, this may be a matter for the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC).
General complaints
If you’re unhappy with the final response to your complaint and it’s not something that can be appealed to the Copyright Tribunal or the First Tier Tribunal, you can refer your complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman’s Office can give you more information on their services and how to contact your MP. Their contact details are:
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP
Website: www.ombudsman.org.uk
Telephone: 0345 015 4033
Email: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk