{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/copyright-designs-and-patents-act-1988/section-18",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/copyright-designs-and-patents-act-1988/section-18.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1988/48",
  "legislation_title": "Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/copyright-designs-and-patents-act-1988",
  "path": "section/18",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "18",
  "heading": "Infringement by issue of copies to the public.",
  "text": "(1) The issue to the public of copies of the work is an act restricted by the copyright in every description of copyright work.\n(2) References in this Part to the issue to the public of copies of a work are to the act of putting into circulation in the United Kingdom copies not previously put into circulation in the United Kingdom or the EEA by or with the consent of the copyright owner.\n(3) References in this Part to the issue to the public of copies of a work do not include—\n(a) any subsequent distribution, sale, hiring or loan of copies previously put into circulation (but see section 18A: infringement by rental or lending) ...\n(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n...\n(4) References in this Part to the issue of copies of a work include the issue of the original.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 18(2)(3) substituted (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2967, reg. 9(2) (with Pt. III)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "S. 18(2) substituted (11.10.2018) by The Copyright and Related Rights (Marrakesh Treaty etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/995), regs. 1(2), 3(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 18(2) inserted (31.1.2020) by The Intellectual Property (Exhaustion of Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/265), regs. 1, 4(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Word in s. 18(3)(a) omitted (11.10.2018) by virtue of The Copyright and Related Rights (Marrakesh Treaty etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/995), regs. 1(2), 3(3)(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "S. 18(3)(b) omitted (11.10.2018) by virtue of The Copyright and Related Rights (Marrakesh Treaty etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/995), regs. 1(2), 3(3)(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in s. 18(3) omitted (11.10.2018) by virtue of The Copyright and Related Rights (Marrakesh Treaty etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/995), regs. 1(2), 3(3)(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "S. 18(4) added (1.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/2967, reg. 9(3) (with Pt. III)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/18",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:47:40.311838+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}