What is a "Copyright"?
A Copyright is the right to protect an intangible object granted by federal statute to the creator of the work. Intangible means something that is created through thought and can not be physically touched or altered. This includes works or literacy, art, music, video and film, even performances such as theatre.
What does Copyright mean?
Copyright means that any work of creation that a person does, is protected by law from others using that work without your permission. You are the only one who can reproduce, copy, publish, perform, or express this creation in private or to the public.
What is actually protected through Copyright?
You can copyright artwork, dramatic work, musical work, literary work, sound recordings, and broadcasts. you can not copyright an Idea, but you can copyright how you express this idea.
In order have a work Copyrighted it has to be fixed in some sort of medium (see "U.S. Copyright office" below) - and it doesn't have to be officially registered (although you could register it with the U.S. Copyright office of Washington, D.C.. As soon as you apply your work to a fixed medium, it is copyrighted. The copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. (there are different lengths for copyrights created by businesses) Also, to note, you no longer have to put " © " in order for your work to be protected. Just understand that if you have witnessed something, it was probably created by someone!
A Copyright is the right to protect an intangible object granted by federal statute to the creator of the work. Intangible means something that is created through thought and can not be physically touched or altered. This includes works or literacy, art, music, video and film, even performances such as theatre.
What does Copyright mean?
Copyright means that any work of creation that a person does, is protected by law from others using that work without your permission. You are the only one who can reproduce, copy, publish, perform, or express this creation in private or to the public.
What is actually protected through Copyright?
You can copyright artwork, dramatic work, musical work, literary work, sound recordings, and broadcasts. you can not copyright an Idea, but you can copyright how you express this idea.
In order have a work Copyrighted it has to be fixed in some sort of medium (see "U.S. Copyright office" below) - and it doesn't have to be officially registered (although you could register it with the U.S. Copyright office of Washington, D.C.. As soon as you apply your work to a fixed medium, it is copyrighted. The copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. (there are different lengths for copyrights created by businesses) Also, to note, you no longer have to put " © " in order for your work to be protected. Just understand that if you have witnessed something, it was probably created by someone!
What is Copyright Infringement?
When someone uses, copies, or otherwise claims ownership of something created by someone else, that is protected through copyright statutes, without permission or consent from the original creator or subsequent authority on the creators behalf.
When someone uses, copies, or otherwise claims ownership of something created by someone else, that is protected through copyright statutes, without permission or consent from the original creator or subsequent authority on the creators behalf.
What are the legal ramifications?
The offender could possibly be liable for damages and/or criminal penalties ranging from fines up to $150,000 and could include imprisonment. These remedies are based up the severity of the harm caused to the copyright holder.
The offender could possibly be liable for damages and/or criminal penalties ranging from fines up to $150,000 and could include imprisonment. These remedies are based up the severity of the harm caused to the copyright holder.
How do I use copyrights legally?
First of all, and the most protected way, is to get written consent from the original creator or the person(s) representing their estate.
There is also the "fair use" exception. If you are using something for educational purposes in a nonprofit situation then you should be free of violation of infringement. Also, using a work for the purpose of criticism, news reporting, or even research would be considered "fair use". The key point here is using the items in a nonprofit situation and without claiming ownership.
First of all, and the most protected way, is to get written consent from the original creator or the person(s) representing their estate.
There is also the "fair use" exception. If you are using something for educational purposes in a nonprofit situation then you should be free of violation of infringement. Also, using a work for the purpose of criticism, news reporting, or even research would be considered "fair use". The key point here is using the items in a nonprofit situation and without claiming ownership.
Source Information:
Arts Law
U.S. Copyright office
Finnegan
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Arts Law
U.S. Copyright office
Finnegan
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Digital Millennium Copyright Act