property minor england-and-wales copyright-transfer
Can a 15 year old transfer copyright?
<p>I have an artist working on some things for me and I've just found out that they are 15.</p>

<p>In the UK, can a 15 year old legally sign over copyright to another person? </p>

<p>The assumptions made by me are 1. A minor can hold copyright 2. A minor cannot enter a legally binding contract. </p>

<p>A minor can own property including copyright. </p>

<p>A minor can also enter into contacts that are genuinely in their interest - note that this is an additional protection not afforded to adults. A minor needs the permission of their legal guardian  to enter a contract and while this can be implicit in your circumstances it would be wise to make it explicit.</p>

<p>Notwithstanding, a minor may revoke a contract (if possible - they can't if they have drunk the milkshake, for example) while they remain a minor and for a reasonable time after they attain their majority. If they do this you would lose the copyright and they would have to refund your money. This is just a risk you will have to bear and factor into what you are willing to pay.</p>

<p>As an aside, there are three "properties" your contract needs to deal with: any physical artifacts (like a painting), the copyright and the moral copyright.</p>

<p>Yes, see Chaplin v Leslie Frewin publisher Ltd (1966). Chaplin entered, then failed to revoke a contract for the transfer of copyright.</p>

<p>This falls under a more general exception about the provision of services when aligned with the benefits of the minor. </p>
