Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the time period is in the
UK that a model remains illegal to make a cast of? So for example, say you had a model that was made back in 1985. At what point would protection expire?
As far as I can see, if it was classed as a sculpture, it has fairly extended protection. But if it was something that was put into production, it might well class as an industrial design, in which case it would appear to be 25 years. Thoughts, gentlemen?
EDIT:--
This article here, whilst considering 3D printing, would appear to be just as relevant to casting.
http://www.scl.org/site.aspx?i=ed32362
A choice extract:-
Any comparison of the various forms of IP right subsisting in the UK is likely to note the disparity between the term of copyright, typically creator's life plus 70 years, and that of design right, which lasts 25 years for registered designs and between 10 and 15 years for unregistered ones. But in some circumstances the two are effectively harmonized, thanks to s 52. This provision has the effect of radically shortening the copyright term of many sorts of artistic work if they are 'industrially exploited' – in other terms, mass produced......
....The effect of s 52 is that artistic works are treated like industrial designs if they are reproduced and sold like industrial designs. The consequences are far-reaching. A 3D artistic work other than a sculpture – say a piece of jewellery – will, if reproduced in significant numbers, only get 25 years of copyright protection. Furthermore, the same can apply to 2D works where they have been used as decoration on mass-produced items. A picture of a cartoon character would normally enjoy the full copyright term. But if it is applied by the owner to a mass-produced product (say a lunchbox) then after 25 years anyone can copy that picture and apply it to any other item, such as a mobile phone cover, without infringing the copyright in the original work.
EDIT 2:-Scratch that, it seems that aspect was repealed two years ago. So it seems I've answered my own question.
http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/26/uk-design-copyright-bill-comes-into-force/