How to Copyright
There is no official register for copyright in Estonia. It is an unregistered right (unlike patents, registered designs or trademarks). So, there is no official action to take, (no application to make, forms to fill in or fees to pay). Copyright comes into effect immediately, as soon as something that can be protected is created and fixed in some way, eg on paper, on film, via sound recording, as an electronic record on the internet, etc.
For details please read Estonian Copyright Act.
Additional information about copyright and neighbouring rights can be obtained from the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
If you are interested in getting an ISBN for a book, ISSN for a periodical, ISMN for a music, in deposit copies or national bibliography, please consult the website of the National Library of Estonia.
Many links to various information for authors are available from special website for authors – see at www.autor.ee (in Estonian language only).
There’s is no cost and no registering for a copyright.
Proactive Measures
Action under competition law
Action for damages
Customs Seizure
General information
What does customs seizure mean?
Custome seizure means blocking the entry into the Community and the export and re-export from the Community of goods infringing intellectual property rights.
How to proceed
What initial steps are necessary?
The holder of intellectual property rights must apply applications for customs action to Tax and Customs Board.
Signpost
Instruments
Preservation of Evidence
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There are no forms and registration for copyright. Nevertheless it is advisable that author has archive of his creations documented – and why not digitally signed – to prove that these are your own creations.
Copyright does not require renewal. Copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (including a photograph) lasts until 70 years after the death of the author(s).