Main Content

Do I own the copyright to my data?

Research objects and occasionally also research data may be protected as works within the meaning of the Copyright Act. These may be linguistic works, computer programmes, musical works, pantomime works including dance works , works of fine arts including works of architecture and applied arts, photographic works, cinematographic works and representations of a scientific and technical nature.

Usually, research data lack the necessary level of creativity and are not works. It is possible, however, that certain types of research data are covered by ancillary copyright, for example photographs, moving images or sound recordings.

Often, the research data of a research project are protected by copyright as part of a database work or come under the ancillary copyright for databases.

Research data that are not covered by a property right can generally be used by anyone for any purpose without a licence or obligation to pay.