Publishers alerted on copyrights extension

New York: The Swiss foundation that has the copyright to The Diary of Anne Frank on Saturday alerted many publishers saying that the author’s father, Otto Frank, is not only the editor of the book but also legally its co-author.

This move, which has a practical effect, extends the copyright from January 1, when it is set to expire in most of Europe, to the end of 2050, The New York Times reported. Copyrights in Europe usually end 70 years after an author’s death. Anne Frank died in 1945 at Bergen-Be-lsen, a concentration camp and Otto Frank died in 1980.

Extending the copyright, would block others from being able to publish the book without paying royalties or receiving permission. In the US, the diary’s copyright will still end in 2047, 95 years after the first publication of the book in 1952.

 

 

Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.