Semester 1 2026 - DUE 24 March 2026; 100% Correct
solutions and explanations.
Question 1
1.1 Types of copyright “works” in books
Books such as Klara and the Sun incorporate multiple categories of
protected works under the Copyright Act 98 of 1978. The primary work
is a literary work in terms of s 1, which includes novels, stories, and
written text. The narrative, structure, dialogue, and expression of ideas
are protected in this form.
Additionally, books may include artistic works, such as cover designs
or illustrations (s 1). The typographical arrangement of the published
edition may also qualify for protection as a published edition under s
2(1).
Thus, the book club engages mainly with a literary work, but other
copyright subsists in supplementary elements like cover art and layout.
1.2 Duration of copyright in the text/story
Copyright in a literary work endures for the life of the author plus 50
years after their death, calculated from the end of the year in which the
author dies (s 3(2)(a)).
Kazuo Ishiguro is still alive; therefore, copyright in Klara and the Sun
remains fully in force and will continue for 50 years after his death.
1.3 Would the source differ in another country?