Copyright - See How To Protect Your Work

Copyright protection is a very hot topic nowadays. It seems that as we listen to the media there is another feature about it. Turn on the tv and a well-known actor or performer is discussing the importance of it. From Limewire and file sharing controversies to movie pirating, copyright is in every place. In this article we will explore copyright and as a basic overview, look at the reasons why anybody would copyright something and list types of creations that can be copyrighted.

Copyright basics

Copyright is a set of individual rights regulating the use of a precise communication of a idea or information. In its broadest sense, it is really "the right to copy" an original creation. Most of the time, these rights are of fixed duration. The mark for copyright is , and in some regions may alternatively be typed as either (c) or (C).

What does it protect

Copyright may apply to an assortment 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 countries, industrial designs. Designs or industrial designs may have distinct or interlocking laws applied to them in some countries. Copyright is one of the laws covered by the greater term 'intellectual property'.

Copyright limitations

Copyright law covers only the unique form or manner in which ideas or information have been created, the "form of material expression". It is not designed or intended to cover the actual idea, concepts, facts, styles, or techniques which may be suggested by the copyright product.

For example, the copyright for the Donald Duck cartoon forbids unapproved persons 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 enforce legal limitations on duplication or use where copyright doesn't. That's when trademarks and patents can be justified.

Length of copyright

Copyright has a number of durations in different jurisdictions, with different categories of works and the length it exists also depends on whether your work is published or unpublished. In most of the world the default length of copyright for many works is life 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 america, 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 U.s., the terms of copyright around the world must be deliberated.

If the author has been deceased more than 70 years, the work is in the public domain in most areas.

Can you transfer your copyright

Under the U.s. Copyright Act, if you want to transfer ownership of your copyright it must be transferred in writing. No official transfer paperwork is required. A common written note that describes the work involved and the rights being given is okay.

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 okay. For example, you allow a writer to include a paragraph of your textbook in his work. Your acceptance 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 recorded in the U.S. Copyright Office. While fileing is not compulsory to make the grant effective, it offers important benefits, just like you would get from submitting a real estate deed when you buy a home.

File your copyright

You can download the forms yourself from the US Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. This is the cheapest option around, at the time of this writing the US Copyright Office typically charges $30 per application. You will need to settle on the right form for your work type, but the Copyright Office does a fairly good job of organizing their paperwork 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 investigation and work you can do it all yourself. If you need more help there are a number of commercial websites that will assist.

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