Copyright Basics

What is Copyright? Copyright allows authors, musicians, artists, etc. to make money off of their labor. Copyright allows authors, musicians, artists, etc. to make money off of their labor. It prevents others from taking their work for free. It prevents others from taking their work for free. It also prevents people from altering the work without permission. It also prevents people from altering the work without permission.

It’s the Law !! According to the United States Code, copyright protects “original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression” for a limited period of time. According to the United States Code, copyright protects “original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression” for a limited period of time. That means copyright law applies to all media: That means copyright law applies to all media: Traditional – books, tapes, CDs, magazines Traditional – books, tapes, CDs, magazines Digital – music, web pages, software, journals Digital – music, web pages, software, journals

What If There Were No Copyrights? There would be no incentive (money) There would be no incentive (money) for anyone to be creative. If authors can’t make a living writing, most will not write new books or articles. If authors can’t make a living writing, most will not write new books or articles. If a record company can’t profit from a band, they will sign fewer bands and produce less music. If a record company can’t profit from a band, they will sign fewer bands and produce less music. If software companies can’t protect games and programs, they won’t create new ones. If software companies can’t protect games and programs, they won’t create new ones.

What Can Be Protected? Literary Works Literary Works Musical Works Musical Works Dramatic Works Dramatic Works Choreographic Work Choreographic Work Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works Motion Pictures and AV Motion Pictures and AV Sound Recordings Sound Recordings Architectural Works Architectural Works

What Does Copyright Give Rights Holders? Right to reproduce the work. Right to modify works. Right to distribute copies for sale. Right to perform AV works publicly. Right to display works publicly. Right to digitally perform work.

What is NOT Protected Facts, ideas, titles, names or underlying themes cannot be copyrighted. Facts, ideas, titles, names or underlying themes cannot be copyrighted. Copyright cannot be held in perpetuity. Copyright cannot be held in perpetuity. That means that the government has set time limits on copyrights.

How Long Does Copyright Last? A copyright last for life plus 70 years for individuals and 95 years for corporate authors for anything published on or after A copyright last for life plus 70 years for individuals and 95 years for corporate authors for anything published on or after Works published between 1923 and 1978 are protected for 95 years. Works published between 1923 and 1978 are protected for 95 years.

Copyright is Automatic You might not always see the copyright notice (©, 2003). You might not always see the copyright notice (©, 2003). However, the work might still be copyrighted. The copyright is in force once the work is “fixed” (saved to disk or written on paper). The copyright is in force once the work is “fixed” (saved to disk or written on paper).

Public Domain A work enters the public domain when its copyright has expired. A work enters the public domain when its copyright has expired. Anything in the public domain is useable by anyone in any way that they want. Anything in the public domain is useable by anyone in any way that they want. No one owns it. No one owns it.

What is in the Public Domain? Works that were never copyrighted Works that were never copyrighted Everything published before 1923 Everything published before 1923 Materials produced by the federal government Materials produced by the federal government Authors can choose to put work in the public domain by including a notice that the item is in the public domain.Authors can choose to put work in the public domain by including a notice that the item is in the public domain.

What is Fair Use? Copyright law allows for limited distribution of published works without the author’s permission. Copyright law allows for limited distribution of published works without the author’s permission. Fair Use includes the use of material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair Use includes the use of material for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Some limitations apply. Some limitations apply.

What Determines Fair Use? There are four factors: There are four factors: The purpose and nature of use The purpose and nature of use The nature of the copyrighted work The nature of the copyrighted work The nature and substantiality of the material The nature and substantiality of the material The effect of use on the potential market value of the work The effect of use on the potential market value of the work

The Impact of Technology The widespread piracy of music and movies has resulted in a crackdown by the respective industries. The widespread piracy of music and movies has resulted in a crackdown by the respective industries. The whole downloading and digital copying issue has convinced many publishers to distribute content in copy protected or non- computerized forms. The whole downloading and digital copying issue has convinced many publishers to distribute content in copy protected or non- computerized forms.

Why Should I Care?? When you create something, aren’t you proud of your work? When you create something, aren’t you proud of your work? Wouldn’t you be upset if someone just copied your work or used it without your permission? Wouldn’t you be upset if someone just copied your work or used it without your permission? What if someone made a ton of money off of your work? How would you feel? What if someone made a ton of money off of your work? How would you feel? Don’t you want to be respected for your creativity and effort? Don’t you want to be respected for your creativity and effort? CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND FINES COULD RESULT FROM INFRINGING ON SOMEONE ELSE’S COPYRIGHT !!

Works Cited “Copyright.” Williams College Libraries. Williamstown, MA. 18 May “What is Copyright?” Copyright Kids The Copyright Society of the U.S.A. 25 October