---
title: "Chain of title for an underlying work"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/sports-and-entertainment-law/underlying-work-chain-of-title"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a39-underlying-work-chain-of-title"
area_id: "A39"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A39-T1-R9"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Chain of title for an underlying work

> A chain-of-title record for a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, using the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) sections 35 and 196. It does not decide ownership of copyright in a film.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/sports-and-entertainment-law/underlying-work-chain-of-title  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Sports & Entertainment Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/sports-and-entertainment-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: Commonwealth
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 2 authorities it cites, for Commonwealth.

## When to use it

Use when building a chain-of-title table for a script, a musical work or another underlying work in a film or television production. Copyright in the film itself is outside this record.

## Used for these tasks

- [Build a film or TV chain-of-title table](https://ailawframework.com/practice/sports-and-entertainment-law/build-a-film-or-tv-chain-of-title-table.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may enter a name or a document only where the principal has marked it, and must not decide who owns the copyright or that an assignment has effect.

**AI may:**

- List each work and the document the principal supplies for it
- Record whether an instrument is in writing and signed, from the document itself

**AI must not:**

- Must not decide who the author or the owner is
- Must not say an assignment has effect if it is not in writing and signed as subsection 196(3) requires
- Must not apply section 35 to copyright in a cinematograph film
- Must not say a licence must be in writing

**The lawyer checks:**

- Parts VII and X are opened, because section 35 has effect subject to them
- The principal decides whether subsection 35(4), 35(5) or 35(6) applies, and whether an agreement excludes or modifies it
- Each assignment is checked for writing and signature
- Ownership of copyright in the film is dealt with under the provision the principal opens, which is not section 35

## Authorities

- [Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 35](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1968133/s35.html)
- [Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 196](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1968133/s196.html)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/sports-and-entertainment-law/underlying-work-chain-of-title and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*