Copyright - How To Conquer Stealing?
by: eightplay
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Copyright overview
Copyright is a set of exclusive rights regulating the use of a individual declaration of a concept or information. In its most basic form, it is just "the right to copy" an original creation. Almost always, these rights are of fixed length. The notation for copyright is , and in some jurisdictions may alternatively be typed as either (c) or (C).
What does it protect
Copyright may apply to a variety 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 areas, 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'.
Copyright exclusions
Copyright law covers only the unique form or manner in which ideas or information have been manifested, the "form of material expression". It is not designed or intended to cover the particular idea, concepts, facts, styles, or methods which may be suggested by the copyright work.
For example, the copyright for the Donald Duck cartoon denies unauthorized individuals from distributing copies of the cartoon or creating 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 demand legal limits on production or use where copyright doesn't. That's when trademarks and patents can be justified.
How long are you protected
Copyright has a number of durations in different areas, 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different categories of works and the length it is in existence for also depends on whether your work is published or unpublished.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 parts of the world the default duration of copyright for many works is lifespan of the author plus 50 years. The copyright always expires at the end of the year concerned, rather than on the precise date of the death of the author.
Public domain: after your copyright ends
So when is a book is in the public domain? In the united states, all books and other items published before 1923 have expired copyrights and are in the public domain, and all works created by the U.s. 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 arrangement of copyright around the world must be studied.
If the author has been dead more than 70 years, the work is in the public domain in most regions.
Transfers
Under the U.s. Copyright Act, if you want to transfer ownership of your copyright it must be transferred in writing. No official transfer form is required. A common letter that specifies the work involved and the rights being granted is okay.
Non-exclusive grants (often called non-exclusive licenses) need not be in writing under United states 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 book in his work. Your permission can be oral or even implied based on the behavior of all the parties involved.
Transfers of copyright ownership, including exclusive licenses should be formally filed in the U.S. Copyright Office. While fileing is not required to make the grant effective, it offers important benefits, just like you would get from filing a real estate deed when you purchase a home.
Now what?
You can download the forms yourself from the US Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. This is the most economic option around, at the time of this writing the US Copyright Office usually charges $30 per submission. 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 Circulars for instructions on how to fill out the forms and what materials you will need to submit. With a little exploration and work you can do it all yourself. If you need more guidance there are several commercial websites that will help.
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