Thailand Clarifies Copyright Protection for Deceased YouTuber's Videos
Thailand's copyright laws protect YouTube videos as audiovisual works for 50 years from each upload, and deceased creator Hulun Solo's channel rights pass to legal heirs who can manage the account and collect revenue by obtaining court appo
On July 30, 2025, Orman Sapthaweedham, director of the Intellectual Property Department, explained the copyright protection framework for Hulun Solo's case following his death. YouTube video clips are classified as audiovisual works under Thailand's Copyright Act of 1994, incorporating elements such as tourism footage, shot selection and editing, timing control, music and sound effects, and captions—all recorded in digital storage and reproducible.
Hulun Solo is the creator and automatic copyright holder of these works, with rights to reproduce, adapt, distribute, license, and take legal action against infringement for 50 years from creation or first publication. Each video upload marks its own "first publication," triggering a separate 50-year protection period from that upload date.
Copyrights are inheritable property like houses, vehicles, or land. With a will, rights transfer to named beneficiaries; without one, they pass to legal heirs in order of succession: children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and spouses. The department recommends heirs submit documents to court requesting appointment as estate administrators, allowing them to manage the YouTube channel, collect revenue, and oversee the channel's ongoing operations.
