Open Science for Arts, Design and Music/Guidelines/Copyright in Switzerland/Books
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In Switzerland a book is protected by copyright until 70 years after its author's death (or of the last author, if several joint authors created the book). A translation of a book is protected until 70 years after the translator's death.
A book can be considered a collection of works, when it collects contributions, chapters or articles that are distinct one from the other. In this case each chapter is protected as such beside the book which is protected as a collection, if there is an individual character in the selection and structure of the contents put together.
- In case of joint authors, all of them must agree on how to use and where to publish the work.
- When the publisher can be considered joint author because of their relevant contribution in the project of the work, by setting up a precise structure, art. 393 CO assigns to the publisher the copyrights of such work.
- According to art. 382 of the Swiss CO, the author has the right to second publication of their contribution after 3 months from such publication. However, since this is not mandatory law the agreement concluded between the author(s) and the publisher may lay down different provisions, such as a longer embargo.