Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of “original works” and

includes such things as literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other
intellectual creations, both published and unpublished. Copyright does not protect
ideas. It only protects the specific and original expression of the idea. A good
example of this is that there are many films and books based on the classic boy
meets girl theme in which the girl’s parents disapprove of boy and after many tears,
true love finally triumphs. This theme cannot be monopolised, but original works to it
can be. The same can be said of all other works.

So what does Copyright afford the owner? Copyright is an exclusive right and gives
its creator, or owner if the rights are sold, the sole right to reproduce the copyrighted
work, to prepare derivative works, to distribute and sell any copies of the
copyrighted work, to perform or display the copyrighted work publicly. In many
countries it will also give the creator of the work special privileges to determine how
the work is to be displayed.

Copyright is Automatic – but still needs to be asserted.

Copyright protection is automatic. The act of creating the work also creates the
Copyright. There is no requirement to Register for Copyright, although in the US and
most other countries it is important to show (assert) that copyright is claimed in a
particular work. This is easily enough done by clearly marking any original work with
the symbol © followed by the date from which copyright is claimed and the owner of
the copyright.

The US Situation – Infringement Proceedings

The US also has special requirements concerning the infringement of any Copyright
and it is advisable to Contact an IP expert about these. The most important thing to
be aware of is that before an infringement suit may be filed in court it is necessary to
Register the works of US origin with the Library of Congress
Term of Copyright

In the US and in most European Countries Copyright, in general, lasts until 70 years
after the death of the creator. There are however, different rules for created works
that are industrially applied, such as Patent and Design drawings.

Copyright Protection Is Not Offered To:

• Works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression. For example, you can not
copyright choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded, or improvisational
speeches or performances that have not been written or recorded.
• Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of
typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents.
• Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or
devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration.
• Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and containing no
original authorship (for example: standard calendars, height and weight charts, tape measures
and rulers, and lists or tables.
 NOTE: If something doesn't have a copyright notice, can it be copied?

• Many things that are posted to the Internet are posted without a copyright notice of any
kind. But does this mean they are free to take and use or should you ask permission? Is it
safe to assume that if there is no copyright notice, that the content is free?

• Copyright Applies As Soon as the Work is Created