Copyrighted works in the estate

Abstract

We may not realize it, but throughout our lives we accumulate numerous works of art that will form part of our intellectual heritage upon our death. Our current system of inheritance is designed to ensure that the estate of the deceased is settled satisfactorily, with the aim of removing any uncertainty about the status of assets that become subject to inheritance upon death. However, while we take it for granted that material possessions will be included in the estate, the same cannot be said for copyright works and the copyrights attached to them, so in many cases the fate of the intellectual property left behind by the deceased is not settled, or is not settled adequately. In view of all this, the aim of this study is none other than to present difficulties that our heirs will have to reckon with if our works created in this capacity are included in our estate.