Italian Copyright Law: Advice, Contracts and Enforcement
Copyright is the legal foundation of every creative project. Under Italian law — which fully implements the EU Copyright Directive and the InfoSoc Directive — copyright arises automatically at the moment of creation, without registration. But knowing your rights and being able to protect and exploit them effectively are two very different things.
We advise authors, creators, producers, photographers, software developers and companies on the full range of copyright issues under Italian and European law, from the structuring of rights at the start of a project to enforcement and dispute resolution when rights are infringed.
Our Expertise Includes
- Licensing and assignment agreements — drafting and negotiating contracts for the use, transfer and exploitation of copyright works across all media and territories
- Authorship and ownership — advising on who owns a work, co-authorship arrangements, works made for hire and employer/employee IP issues
- Moral rights — advising on the right of attribution and integrity under Italian law, which are stronger and less waivable than in many other jurisdictions
- Infringement and enforcement — demand letters, cease and desist notices, AGCOM takedown procedures, platform reporting and online content removal
- Collecting societies — advising on relationships with SIAE, SCF and IMAIE, including registration, distribution and disputes
- Confidentiality and trade secrets — non-disclosure agreements and contractual protection for pre-publication and commercially sensitive creative works
- AI and copyright — advising on the copyright status of AI-generated works, training data licensing and the obligations of AI providers under Italian and EU law
Who We Advise
Our copyright clients include independent authors, screenwriters, photographers, illustrators, musicians, software developers, production companies, publishers, digital platforms and brand owners — both based in Italy and internationally.
Italian Copyright Law and International Clients
Italian copyright law has some significant features that differ from common law systems — particularly around moral rights, the treatment of works made for hire, and the role of collecting societies. If you are a producer, distributor or rights holder based outside Italy dealing with Italian copyright issues, we can guide you through the specific requirements of the Italian framework.
Read our guide: Italy-Serbia and Balkans Film Co-Productions
Related: OpenAI Sora Shut Down: Copyright Lessons from AI Video’s Biggest Flop
Related: Release of Right to Privacy of Photographs for Use in a Film
Book a Consultation
If you would like to discuss a copyright matter or project with us, book a call directly online. We respond within 24 hours on business days.
→ Claudia Roggero: claudiaroggero.youcanbook.me
→ Donato Di Pelino: donatodipelino.youcanbook.me
→ WhatsApp: +39 345.717.14.66