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The duration of copyright in Hong Kong depends on the type of copyright work.

For the specific copyright works described below, the duration of copyright is as follows:

Type of copyright work When copyright usually expires
Literary, dramatic and musical works, including computer programs, databases, the text of a marketing plan or business plan, annual reports, operational manuals, technical specifications, letters and emails etc. 50 years after the death of the author
For computer-generated works, 50 years after the work was made.
Artistic works including paintings and photographs 50 years after the death of the author
Sound recordings 50 years after it is made or (if released) its release
Films

50 years after the death of the last to die of the following persons:

  1. the principal director;
  2. the author of the screenplay;
  3. the author of the dialogue; or
  4. the composer of music specially created for and used in the film
Broadcasts and cable programmes 50 years after the broadcast was made or the programme was included in a cable programme service
Typographical arrangements of published editions 25 years after its first publication
Works made by an officer of the Government in the course of his duties 125 years after it was made (if published commercially within 75 years after it was made) or 50 years after it was first so published
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