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Copyright overview
Copyright is a set of limited rights regulating the use of a particular demonstration of a thought or information. In its most basic form, it is just "the right to copy" an original creation. Almost always, these rights are of restricted time. The symbol for copyright is , and in some jurisdictions may alternatively be printed as either (c) or (C).
Copyright rules
Copyright may protect a range of creative, conceptual, or artistic forms or "works". These include poems, theses, theatrical plays, and other literary works, movies, choreographic works (dances, ballets, etc.), musical compositions, audio recordings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, software, radio and television performances of live and other broadcasts, and, in some regions, industrial designs. Designs or industrial designs may have independent or overarching laws applied to them in some regions. Copyright is one of the laws covered by the overarching term 'intellectual property'.
What is not protected by copyright
Copyright law covers only the unique form or manner in which ideas or information have been produced, the "form of material expression". It is not designed or intended to cover the individual idea, concepts, facts, styles, or methods which may be represented by the copyright product.
For example, the copyright for the Donald Duck cartoon denies unapproved people from distributing copies of the cartoon or making derivative works which mimic the Donald Duck cartoon.
But it does not prevent anyone from creating a cartoon duck. As long as it is different enough from Donald Duck. Other laws may impose legal limits on production or use where copyright doesn't. That's when trademarks and patents can be utilized.
How long are you protected
Copyright has a variety of durations in different regions, with different categories of works and the length it is in existence for also depends on whether your work is published or unpublished. In most regions the default term of copyright for many works is time of death of the author plus 50 years. The copyright always expires at the end of the year concerned, rather than on the specific date of the death of the author.
Public domain and how it applies
So when is a book is in the public domain? In the states, all books and other items published before 1923 have expired copyrights and are in the public domain, and all works created by the United states government, regardless of date, enter the public domain upon their creation.
But if the intended use of the book includes publication (or distribution of a film based on the book) outside the United states, the terms of copyright around the world must be considered.
If the author has been deceased more than 70 years, the work is in the public domain in most countries.
Transfers
Under the U.s. Copyright Act, if you want to transfer ownership of your copyright it must be transferred in writing. No special transfer form is required. A common letter that describes the work involved and the rights being conceded is all right.
Non-exclusive grants (often called non-exclusive licenses) need not be in writing under U.s. law. A non-exclusive grant is when you allow someone to utilize your work by giving them your acceptance. For example, you allow a writer to include a paragraph of your textbook in his work. Your approval can be oral or even implied based on the behavior of all the individuals involved.
Transfers of copyright ownership, including exclusive licenses should be formally noted in the U.S. Copyright Office. While fileing is not essential to make the grant effective, it offers important benefits, just like you would get from registering a real estate deed when you purchase a house.
File your forms
You can download the paperwork yourself from the US Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. This is the most economic option obtainable, at the time of this writing the US Copyright Office usually charges $30 per application. You will need to select the right form for your work type, but the Copyright Office does a fairly good job of organizing their forms so users can find what they need. Browse through their online Help for instructions on how to fill out the forms and what materials you will need to send in. With a little research and work you can do it all yourself. If you need additional guidance there are many commercial websites that will assist.
Category: CopywritingCopyright law - The 6 Secrets To Eliminate Writing Thieves was written by:Author:Jim WilsonAdded: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 01:04:35 -0400 This Article Has Been Read 516 times View all Jim Wilson's articlesAbout the Author: Sign up for a free course on getting published: Writers-Publish.com.To find out more about copyright issues Writers-Publish.com/copyright |
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