Crown copyright is defined in section 163 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as follows:
“163. (1) Where a work is made by Her Majesty or by an officer or servant of the Crown in the course of his duties:
(a) the work qualifies for copyright protection notwithstanding section 153(1) (ordinary requirement as to qualification for copyright protection), and
(b) Her Majesty is the first owner of any copyright in the work.
(2) Copyright in such a work is referred to in this Part as “Crown copyright”, notwithstanding that it may be, or have been assigned to another person.”
The Statute Law Database is being prepared by civil servants within the Department for Constitutional Affairs and therefore meets the definition within the Act.