Copyright law is a vital part of Singapore’s legal system, designed to protect the creative efforts of individuals and encourage innovation. Governed by the Copyright Act 2021, which came into effect on 21 November 2021, this law ensures that creators of original works, such as writers, musicians, filmmakers and artists can control how their creations are used and benefit from them. At the same time, it allows for certain public uses, like education or criticism, to promote access to knowledge and culture. This article explains copyright law Singapore in a clear and simple way, covering what it protects, the rights of creators, exceptions, enforcement, and recent updates. Whether you’re a creator, a business owner, or just curious, this guide will help you understand how copyright works in Singapore.
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Salient Features of Copyright Law Singapore
Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship. It gives creators exclusive control over their creations, such as the ability to copy, share, perform or adapt them. However, copyright only protects the specific expression of an idea, not the idea itself. For example, you can copyright a specific song, but not the general concept of a love song. In Singapore, the Copyright Act 2021 is the main law governing copyright, aiming to reward creators while balancing public access to creative works.
What Does Copyright Protect?
Singapore’s copyright law protects a wide variety of creative works but given that they are original and expressed in a tangible form such as written, recorded or drawn. The following types of works are covered
Type of Work | Examples |
Literary Works | Novels, poems, computer programs, blog posts |
Musical Works | Songs, compositions, lyrics |
Dramatic Works | Plays, scripts, screenplays |
Artistic Works | Paintings, photographs, sculptures, architectural designs |
Sound Recordings | Music recordings, audiobooks, podcasts |
Films | Movies, documentaries, animations |
Broadcasts | Radio and television programs |
Cable Programs | Content on cable services |
Protected Performances | Live performances like dance or music |
However, copyright does not protect ideas, facts, or methods. For instance, a recipe cannot be copyrighted, but the specific wording in a cookbook can. Inventions are covered by patents, and brand names or logos are protected by trademarks, not copyright.
Requirements for Copyright Protection
For a work to be protected by copyright in Singapore, it must meet some criteria. No registration is required since the copyright is automatic as soon as the work is created and meets these conditions
Type: It must be one of the protected categories (e.g., literary, musical, or artistic).
Connection to Singapore: The author must be a Singapore citizen or resident, or the work must be first published in Singapore.
Tangible Form: The work must be fixed in a physical or digital form, like a book or a file.
Originality: The work must originate from the author and not be copied from someone else.
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Rights of Copyright Owners
Copyright owners have a bundle of exclusive rights, which include general or legal and moral rights. Moral rights do not apply to computer programs, works created during employment (where the employer owns the copyright), or works by unknown authors
Reproduction: Making copies of the work such as printing a book.
Publication: Publishing an unpublished work, like releasing a new album.
Performance: Performing the work in public such as playing a song at a concert.
Communication: Sharing the work with the public like streaming a film online.
Adaptation: Creating derivative works, such as translating a novel or turning a book into a movie.
Moral rights are the personal rights and cannot be transferred. These include
Right to be identified: The creator must be credited as the author when the work is used.
Right against false attribution: No one can claim the work as their own.
Right against derogatory treatment: The work cannot be altered in a way that harms the creator’s reputation.
Exceptions and Limitations
In order to balance the rights of creators along with respecting public interest, the copyright law of Singapore allows certain uses of copyrighted material without permission in certain ways. These exceptions include
Fair Use: Limited use for purposes like criticism, review, news reporting or research, provided it’s fair and doesn’t harm the creator’s interests. Courts consider factors like the purpose of use, the amount used, and the effect on the work’s value.
Educational Use: Teachers and students can copy or use materials for teaching, such as photocopying a small part of a book for a class.
Private Use: Individuals can make copies for personal use, like recording a TV show to watch later.
Public Interest: Uses in judicial proceedings, for people with disabilities, or for religious purposes are allowed.
These exceptions ensure that copyright law supports creativity without overly restricting access to knowledge.
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Duration of Copyright
The length of copyright protection depends on the type of work. Once copyright expires, the work enters the public domain, which means that anyone can use it without permission
Type of Work | Duration |
Literary, Dramatic, Musical, Artistic Works | 70 years after the author’s death. If the author is unknown, 70 years after first publication or being made available. |
Sound Recordings and Films | 70 years from creation if unpublished. If published within 50 years of creation or before 31 December 2022, 70 years from first publication. |
Broadcasts and Cable Programs | 50 years from the end of the year of broadcast or inclusion in a cable service. |
Protected Performances | 70 years from the end of the year of the performance. |
Ownership and Licensing
The first owner of a copyright is usually the creator of the work. A creator can license its work and allow others to use it under specific terms and conditions. For example, a musician can license a song for using it in a commercial. Licensing can be managed directly or through collective management organizations (CMOs) like COMPASS Singapore which collect royalties for the creators. But, there are also some exceptions
Commissioned Works: Since 2021, creators of photographs, portraits, engravings, sound recordings, or films are the default owners, unless a commissioning agreement states otherwise.
Employment: Works created during employment (e.g., a film made by an employee) are owned by the employer, unless a contract specifies otherwise.
Assignment: Copyright can be transferred to another person or company through a written agreement.
Enforcement of Copyright
If someone uses a copyrighted work without permission then the owner can take legal action. Using the copyright symbol (©) with the creator’s name and year of creation is not required but can deter infringement and may increase damages in court
Civil Actions: Owners can sue for damages (compensation for losses), an injunction (to stop the infringement), or an account of profits (to claim the infringer’s profits).
Criminal Actions: Serious infringements can lead to fines of up to S$10,000 per copy (maximum S$100,000) and imprisonment for up to 5 years.
International Protection
Singapore’s copyright law extends to reciprocating countries, such as those that signed the TRIPS Agreement (part of the World Trade Organization). This means Singaporean works are protected in these countries, and works from these countries are protected in Singapore. However, moral rights are only enforceable within Singapore, so actions abroad that violate moral rights cannot be pursued in Singapore courts.
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Recent Developments in Copyright Law Singapore
The Copyright Act 2021 introduced significant changes to modernize Singapore’s copyright law, particularly for the digital age. As of 2025, there are no major updates since the 2021 Act, though specific provisions, like those for collective management organizations were implemented in 2022 and 2024 and those updates include
Equitable Remuneration: Creators and performers now receive fair payment when their sound recordings are broadcast or played in public spaces, like restaurants or malls. This has increased licensing fees for businesses.
Default Ownership for Commissioned Works: Creators of photographs, portraits, engravings, sound recordings, and films are now the default owners, unless otherwise agreed.
Employer Ownership: Employers automatically own copyright in sound recordings and films created by employees, unless a contract states otherwise.
Right to be Identified: Creators and performers must be credited when their works are used publicly, including on social media, unless their identity is unknown.
Fair Use: The law shifted from “fair dealing” to a broader “fair use” standard, giving courts more flexibility to assess fair use cases.
Unpublished Works: These no longer have perpetual protection and are now treated like published works, with copyright lasting 70 years after the author’s death or publication.
Summary
Singapore’s copyright law, under the Copyright Act 2021 provides robust protection for creators while allowing fair access for the public. It covers a wide range of works, offers exclusive rights, and includes exceptions for education and public interest. The 2021 updates have strengthened creator rights, particularly in digital and commissioned works, ensuring the law remains relevant in a rapidly changing world. By understanding copyright, creators, businesses, and consumers can navigate their rights and responsibilities, fostering a vibrant and fair creative ecosystem.
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Copyright Law Singapore: FAQs
Q1. What is protected by copyright in Singapore?
Copyright protects original works like books, music, films, and artwork. It covers the specific expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.
Q2. Do I need to register for copyright protection in Singapore?
No, copyright is automatic once a work is created in a tangible form and meets originality and connection-to-Singapore requirements.
Q3. How long does copyright last in Singapore?
For most works, like books or music, copyright lasts 70 years after the creator’s death. Films and broadcasts have different durations, typically 50–70 years.
Q4. What is fair use under Singapore’s copyright law?
Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like education, criticism or news reporting, provided it’s fair and doesn’t harm the creator’s interests.
Q5. What happens if someone infringes my copyright?
You can sue for damages or seek criminal penalties, including fines up to S$100,000 or jail time, depending on the severity of the infringement.
