Use of dramatic works

What are dramatic works?

Dramatic works as described in the Copyright and Related Rights Act include choreographic work or a work of mime. Plays, on the other hand, are considered literary works.

Performance rights for plays (with no music) can be obtained through the Drama League of Ireland.

Grand rights

Grand rights are the rights associated with music performed with, or as part of a dramatic work, such as ballets, operas, operettas, musicals and musical plays. A Grand Rights licence can be obtained directly from the rightsholders or their representatives.

Use of dramatic works in education

Plays may be copied from printed publications for educational purposes under ICLA’s copying licence, subject to the terms of the licence. The play can also be performed in front of teachers and students in an educational institution. However, the copying licence does not include performance rights for the play if the performance takes place outside an educational setting, e.g. in front of an audience of parents. For such performances, permission must be obtained from the creator and publisher.

[CRRA Sec.55]