# Who owns a company archive, and where it goes at closure > 18 US and UK rules on who owns what a company archive holds and what becomes of it when the company closes, each quoted from the statute, read 28 October 2026. Sell Company Archive to AI · https://sellcompanyarchivetoai.com/datasets/company-archive-ownership-law/ · computed 2026-10-28 **US and UK rules on who owns a company archive:** 18 rules (19 pages read; 19 named). ## The answers, question by question - **Whose law it is:** the United Kingdom 10, the United States 7, Delaware 1 - **When the rule bites:** a work or database made by staff 5, the company is dissolved 5, the company is insolvent or bankrupt 2, not stated 2, a transfer of the rights 2, how long the right lasts 2 - **Who it says holds the archive:** not stated 6, the company 6, whoever the rights are assigned to in writing 2, the Crown 2, the bankruptcy estate or the office-holder 1, the author, unless agreed otherwise 1 - **The rule, in its own words:** stated 18 ## Every rule | Rule | Whose law it is | When the rule bites | Who it says holds the archive | The rule, in its own words | |---|---|---|---|---| | 11 U.S.C. 541 (property of the bankruptcy estate) | the United States | the company is insolvent or bankrupt | the bankruptcy estate or the office-holder | (1)Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c)(2) of this section, all legal or… | | 17 U.S.C. 101 (definition of work made for hire) | the United States | a work or database made by staff | not stated | (1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or | | 17 U.S.C. 201(a) (initial ownership) | the United States | not stated | the author, unless agreed otherwise | Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors… | | 17 U.S.C. 201(b) (works made for hire, Copyright Office text) | the United States | a work or database made by staff | the company | (b) Works Made for Hire.… | | 17 U.S.C. 204(a) (transfers in writing) | the United States | a transfer of the rights | whoever the rights are assigned to in writing | A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an… | | 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire) | the United States | how long the right lasts | not stated | In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the… | | Bona Vacantia Division (Treasury Solicitor) | the United Kingdom | the company is dissolved | the Crown | ‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by… | | CDPA 1988 s11 (first ownership, employer) | the United Kingdom | a work or database made by staff | the company | Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an… | | CDPA 1988 s3A (databases) | the United Kingdom | not stated | not stated | For the purposes of this Part a literary work consisting of a database is original if… | | CDPA 1988 s90 (assignment in writing) | the United Kingdom | a transfer of the rights | whoever the rights are assigned to in writing | An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on… | | Companies Act 2006 s1012 (bona vacantia) | the United Kingdom | the company is dissolved | the Crown | When a company is dissolved, all property and rights whatsoever vested in or held on…… | | Companies Act 2006 s1029 (restoration application) | the United Kingdom | the company is dissolved | not stated | An application may be made to the court to restore to the register a company… | | Companies Act 2006 s1032 (effect of restoration) | the United Kingdom | the company is dissolved | the company | The general effect of an order by the court for restoration to the register is that the… | | Databases Regulations 1997 reg 14 (maker, employer) | the United Kingdom | a work or database made by staff | the company | (2) Where a database is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer… | | Databases Regulations 1997 reg 17 (15-year term) | the United Kingdom | how long the right lasts | not stated | 17.… | | Delaware 8 Del. C. 278 (continuation after dissolution) | Delaware | the company is dissolved | the company | All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are otherwise dissolved… | | Insolvency Act 1986 s436 (meaning of property) | the United Kingdom | the company is insolvent or bankrupt | not stated | includes money, goods, things in action, land and every description of property wherever… | | US Copyright Office Circular 30 (works made for hire) | the United States | a work or database made by staff | the company | If a work is made for hire, the employer or the party that specially ordered or… | ## The sentence each answer rests on (76) - 11 U.S.C. 541 (property of the bankruptcy estate), [11 U.S. Code 541, Property of the estate (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/541), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "11 U.S. Code § 541 - Property of the estate" - 11 U.S.C. 541 (property of the bankruptcy estate), [11 U.S. Code 541, Property of the estate (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/541), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "(a)The commencement of a case under section 301, 302, or 303 of this title creates an estate. Such estate is comprised of all the following property, wherever located and by whomever held:" - 11 U.S.C. 541 (property of the bankruptcy estate), [11 U.S. Code 541, Property of the estate (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/541), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: "(a)The commencement of a case under section 301, 302, or 303 of this title creates an estate. Such estate is comprised of all the following property, wherever located and by whomever held:" - 11 U.S.C. 541 (property of the bankruptcy estate), [11 U.S. Code 541, Property of the estate (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/541), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "(1)Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c)(2) of this section, all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case." - 17 U.S.C. 101 (definition of work made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 101, Definitions (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, Whose law it is: "17 U.S. Code § 101 - Definitions \| U.S. Code \| US Law \| LII / Legal Information Institute" - 17 U.S.C. 101 (definition of work made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 101, Definitions (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, When the rule bites: "(1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or" - 17 U.S.C. 101 (definition of work made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 101, Definitions (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-03, 63,594 characters long. - 17 U.S.C. 101 (definition of work made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 101, Definitions (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, The rule, in its own words: "(1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or" - 17 U.S.C. 201(a) (initial ownership), [17 U.S. Code 201, Ownership of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "17 U.S. Code § 201 - Ownership of copyright \| U.S. Code \| US Law \| LII / Legal Information Institute" - 17 U.S.C. 201(a) (initial ownership), [17 U.S. Code 201, Ownership of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-08, 21,269 characters long. - 17 U.S.C. 201(a) (initial ownership), [17 U.S. Code 201, Ownership of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work." - 17 U.S.C. 201(a) (initial ownership), [17 U.S. Code 201, Ownership of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work." - 17 U.S.C. 201(b) (works made for hire, Copyright Office text), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 2](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17) Chapter 2" - 17 U.S.C. 201(b) (works made for hire, Copyright Office text), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 2](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "(b) Works Made for Hire.—In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title, and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright." - 17 U.S.C. 201(b) (works made for hire, Copyright Office text), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 2](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: "(b) Works Made for Hire.—In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title, and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright." - 17 U.S.C. 201(b) (works made for hire, Copyright Office text), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 2](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "(b) Works Made for Hire.—In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title, and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright." - 17 U.S.C. 204(a) (transfers in writing), [17 U.S. Code 204, Execution of transfers of copyright ownership (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "17 U.S. Code § 204 - Execution of transfers of copyright ownership \| U.S. Code \| US Law \| LII / Legal Information Institute" - 17 U.S.C. 204(a) (transfers in writing), [17 U.S. Code 204, Execution of transfers of copyright ownership (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent." - 17 U.S.C. 204(a) (transfers in writing), [17 U.S. Code 204, Execution of transfers of copyright ownership (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent." - 17 U.S.C. 204(a) (transfers in writing), [17 U.S. Code 204, Execution of transfers of copyright ownership (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent." - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 3](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html), read 2026-10-27, Whose law it is: "Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17) Chapter 3" - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 3](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html), read 2026-10-27, When the rule bites: "In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first." - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 3](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html), read 2026-10-27, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-27, 23,348 characters long. - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 chapter 3](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html), read 2026-10-27, The rule, in its own words: "In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first." - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 302, Duration of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/302), read 2026-10-27, Whose law it is: "17 U.S. Code § 302 - Duration of copyright: Works created on or after January 1, 1978" - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 302, Duration of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/302), read 2026-10-27, When the rule bites: "In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first." - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 302, Duration of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/302), read 2026-10-27, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-27, 3,861 characters long. - 17 U.S.C. 302(c) (term for works made for hire), [17 U.S. Code 302, Duration of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/302), read 2026-10-27, The rule, in its own words: "In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first." - Bona Vacantia Division (Treasury Solicitor), [GOV.UK, Bona Vacantia organisation page](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown to administer the estates of people who die intestate (without a Will) and without known kin (entitled blood relatives) and collect the assets of dissolved companies and other various ownerless goods in England and Wales." - Bona Vacantia Division (Treasury Solicitor), [GOV.UK, Bona Vacantia organisation page](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown to administer the estates of people who die intestate (without a Will) and without known kin (entitled blood relatives) and collect the assets of dissolved companies and other various ownerless goods in England and Wales." - Bona Vacantia Division (Treasury Solicitor), [GOV.UK, Bona Vacantia organisation page](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: "‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown." - Bona Vacantia Division (Treasury Solicitor), [GOV.UK, Bona Vacantia organisation page](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown." - CDPA 1988 s11 (first ownership, employer), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, Section 11." - CDPA 1988 s11 (first ownership, employer), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary." - CDPA 1988 s11 (first ownership, employer), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary." - CDPA 1988 s11 (first ownership, employer), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary." - CDPA 1988 s3A (databases), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 3A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/3A), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, Section 3A." - CDPA 1988 s3A (databases), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 3A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/3A), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-08, 4,793 characters long. - CDPA 1988 s3A (databases), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 3A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/3A), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-08, 4,793 characters long. - CDPA 1988 s3A (databases), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 3A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/3A), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "For the purposes of this Part a literary work consisting of a database is original if, and only if, by reason of the selection or arrangement of the contents of the database the database constitutes the author’s own intellectual creation." - CDPA 1988 s90 (assignment in writing), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, Section 90." - CDPA 1988 s90 (assignment in writing), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "Copyright is transmissible by assignment, by testamentary disposition or by operation of law, as personal or moveable property." - CDPA 1988 s90 (assignment in writing), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor." - CDPA 1988 s90 (assignment in writing), [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor." - Companies Act 2006 s1012 (bona vacantia), [Companies Act 2006, section 1012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1012), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "Companies Act 2006, Section 1012 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 October 2026." - Companies Act 2006 s1012 (bona vacantia), [Companies Act 2006, section 1012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1012), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "When a company is dissolved, all property and rights whatsoever vested in or held on trust for the company immediately before its dissolution (including leasehold property, but not including property held by the company on trust for another person) are deemed to be bona vacantia and—" - Companies Act 2006 s1012 (bona vacantia), [Companies Act 2006, section 1012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1012), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: "accordingly belong to the Crown, or to the Duchy of Lancaster or to the Duke of Cornwall for the time being (as the case may be), and" - Companies Act 2006 s1012 (bona vacantia), [Companies Act 2006, section 1012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1012), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "When a company is dissolved, all property and rights whatsoever vested in or held on trust for the company immediately before its dissolution (including leasehold property, but not including property held by the company on trust for another person) are deemed to be bona vacantia and—" - Companies Act 2006 s1029 (restoration application), [Companies Act 2006, section 1029](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1029), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "Companies Act 2006, Section 1029 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 October 2026." - Companies Act 2006 s1029 (restoration application), [Companies Act 2006, section 1029](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1029), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "An application may be made to the court to restore to the register a company—" - Companies Act 2006 s1029 (restoration application), [Companies Act 2006, section 1029](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1029), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-28, 7,545 characters long. - Companies Act 2006 s1029 (restoration application), [Companies Act 2006, section 1029](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1029), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "An application may be made to the court to restore to the register a company—" - Companies Act 2006 s1032 (effect of restoration), [Companies Act 2006, section 1032](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1032), read 2026-10-28, Whose law it is: "Companies Act 2006, Section 1032 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 October 2026." - Companies Act 2006 s1032 (effect of restoration), [Companies Act 2006, section 1032](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1032), read 2026-10-28, When the rule bites: "The general effect of an order by the court for restoration to the register is that the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off the register." - Companies Act 2006 s1032 (effect of restoration), [Companies Act 2006, section 1032](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1032), read 2026-10-28, Who it says holds the archive: "The general effect of an order by the court for restoration to the register is that the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off the register." - Companies Act 2006 s1032 (effect of restoration), [Companies Act 2006, section 1032](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1032), read 2026-10-28, The rule, in its own words: "The general effect of an order by the court for restoration to the register is that the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off the register." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 14 (maker, employer), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/14), read 2026-10-27, Whose law it is: "There are currently no known outstanding effects for The Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, Section 14." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 14 (maker, employer), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/14), read 2026-10-27, When the rule bites: "(2) Where a database is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer shall be regarded as the maker of the database, subject to any agreement to the contrary." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 14 (maker, employer), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/14), read 2026-10-27, Who it says holds the archive: "(2) Where a database is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer shall be regarded as the maker of the database, subject to any agreement to the contrary." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 14 (maker, employer), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/14), read 2026-10-27, The rule, in its own words: "(2) Where a database is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer shall be regarded as the maker of the database, subject to any agreement to the contrary." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 17 (15-year term), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 17](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/17), read 2026-10-27, Whose law it is: "There are currently no known outstanding effects for The Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, Section 17." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 17 (15-year term), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 17](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/17), read 2026-10-27, When the rule bites: "17.—(1) Database right in a database expires at the end of the period of fifteen years from the end of the calendar year in which the making of the database was completed." - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 17 (15-year term), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 17](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/17), read 2026-10-27, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-27, 5,157 characters long. - Databases Regulations 1997 reg 17 (15-year term), [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, regulation 17](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/17), read 2026-10-27, The rule, in its own words: "17.—(1) Database right in a database expires at the end of the period of fifteen years from the end of the calendar year in which the making of the database was completed." - Delaware 8 Del. C. 278 (continuation after dissolution), [Delaware Code title 8, chapter 1, subchapter X](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc10/index.html), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "Subchapter X. Sale of Assets, Dissolution and Winding Up" - Delaware 8 Del. C. 278 (continuation after dissolution), [Delaware Code title 8, chapter 1, subchapter X](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc10/index.html), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless be continued, for the term of 3 years from such expiration or dissolution or for such longer period as the Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct, bodies corporate for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against them, and of enabling them gradually to settle and close their business, to dispose of and convey their property, to discharge their liabilities and to distribute to their stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the business for which the corporation was organized." - Delaware 8 Del. C. 278 (continuation after dissolution), [Delaware Code title 8, chapter 1, subchapter X](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc10/index.html), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless be continued, for the term of 3 years from such expiration or dissolution or for such longer period as the Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct, bodies corporate for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against them, and of enabling them gradually to settle and close their business, to dispose of and convey their property, to discharge their liabilities and to distribute to their stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the business for which the corporation was organized." - Delaware 8 Del. C. 278 (continuation after dissolution), [Delaware Code title 8, chapter 1, subchapter X](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc10/index.html), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless be continued, for the term of 3 years from such expiration or dissolution or for such longer period as the Court of Chancery shall in its discretion direct, bodies corporate for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against them, and of enabling them gradually to settle and close their business, to dispose of and convey their property, to discharge their liabilities and to distribute to their stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the business for which the corporation was organized." - Insolvency Act 1986 s436 (meaning of property), [Insolvency Act 1986, section 436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/436), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "Insolvency Act 1986, Section 436 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 October 2026." - Insolvency Act 1986 s436 (meaning of property), [Insolvency Act 1986, section 436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/436), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "in winding up, the liquidator of an insolvent partnership or corporate member; and" - Insolvency Act 1986 s436 (meaning of property), [Insolvency Act 1986, section 436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/436), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: The page is silent here; it was read in full on 2026-10-08, 23,491 characters long. - Insolvency Act 1986 s436 (meaning of property), [Insolvency Act 1986, section 436](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/436), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "includes money, goods, things in action, land and every description of property wherever situated and also obligations and every description of interest, whether present or future or vested or contingent, arising out of, or incidental to, property;" - US Copyright Office Circular 30 (works made for hire), [Circular 30, Works Made for Hire](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf), read 2026-10-08, Whose law it is: "To register a work with the U.S. Copyright Office, you gener -" - US Copyright Office Circular 30 (works made for hire), [Circular 30, Works Made for Hire](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf), read 2026-10-08, When the rule bites: "If a work is made for hire, the employer or the party that specially ordered or commissioned that work is the initial owner of the copyright in the work unless the employer or the commissioning party has signed a written agreement to the contrary with the work’s creator." - US Copyright Office Circular 30 (works made for hire), [Circular 30, Works Made for Hire](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf), read 2026-10-08, Who it says holds the archive: "If a work is made for hire, the employer or the party that specially ordered or commissioned that work is the initial owner of the copyright in the work unless the employer or the commissioning party has signed a written agreement to the contrary with the work’s creator." - US Copyright Office Circular 30 (works made for hire), [Circular 30, Works Made for Hire](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf), read 2026-10-08, The rule, in its own words: "If a work is made for hire, the employer or the party that specially ordered or commissioned that work is the initial owner of the copyright in the work unless the employer or the commissioning party has signed a written agreement to the contrary with the work’s creator." ## Methodology Each rule's own statutes and the authorities' own pages were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row). For every page, four questions were answered from its own words: whose law it is, when the rule bites, who it says holds the archive, the rule, in its own words. Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the page read does not address the question. A rule with several pages reads 'varies' where they disagree. 18 rules, 19 pages. ## Sources - [Companies Act 2006, s1012 (property of a dissolved company is bona vacantia)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1012) (read) - [Companies Act 2006, s1029 (application to court for restoration)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1029) (read) - [Companies Act 2006, s1032 (effect of court order for restoration)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1032) (read) - [GOV.UK, Bona Vacantia (Government Legal Department)](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia) (read) - [Insolvency Act 1986, s436 (expressions used generally, 'property')](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/436) (read) - [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, s11 (first ownership; employer)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11) (read) - [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, s90 (assignment must be in writing)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90) (read) - [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, s3A (databases)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/3A) (read) - [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, reg 14 (maker of a database; employer)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/14) (read) - [Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, reg 17 (term of database right: 15 years)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/3032/regulation/17) (read) - [US Copyright Office, Title 17 chapter 2 (copyright ownership and transfer)](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html) (read) - [US Copyright Office, Title 17 chapter 3 (duration of copyright)](https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html) (read) - [US Copyright Office, Circular 30: Works Made for Hire](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf) (read) - [17 U.S.C. 101, definitions ('work made for hire') (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101) (read) - [17 U.S.C. 201, ownership of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201) (read) - [17 U.S.C. 204, execution of transfers (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204) (read) - [17 U.S.C. 302, duration of copyright (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/302) (read) - [11 U.S.C. 541, property of the estate (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/541) (read) - [Delaware Code title 8, subchapter X (dissolution; s278 continuation for winding up)](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc10/index.html) (read) ## Cite or embed - 18 US and UK rules on who owns what a company archive holds and what becomes of it when the company closes, each quoted from the statute, read 28 October 2026. - Whose law it is, by rule: the United Kingdom 10 of 18, the United States 7 of 18, Delaware 1 of 18 (18 rules, read 28 October 2026). - When the rule bites, by rule: the company is dissolved 5 of 18, a work or database made by staff 5 of 18, the company is insolvent or bankrupt 2 of 18, not stated 2 of 18, how long the right lasts 2 of 18, a transfer of the rights 2 of 18 (18 rules, read 28 October 2026). - Who it says holds the archive, by rule: not stated 6 of 18, the company 6 of 18, whoever the rights are assigned to in writing 2 of 18, the Crown 2 of 18, the author, unless agreed otherwise 1 of 18, the bankruptcy estate or the office-holder 1 of 18 (18 rules, read 28 October 2026). - The rule, in its own words, by rule: stated 18 of 18 (18 rules, read 28 October 2026). Cite as: "Who owns a company archive, and where it goes at closure", updated 2026-10-28, https://sellcompanyarchivetoai.com/datasets/company-archive-ownership-law/. CSV: https://sellcompanyarchivetoai.com/datasets/company-archive-ownership-law.csv JSON: https://sellcompanyarchivetoai.com/datasets/company-archive-ownership-law.json Embed (plain HTML, static link back): see https://sellcompanyarchivetoai.com/datasets/company-archive-ownership-law/#lead