Copyrights

Copyright is protection for authors of original works of authorship. Original works of authorship include literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other intellectual works. Even computer programs, board games, fabric patterns and architectural plans may be protected by copyright.

A copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce the original work, to distribute copies and display the work publicly.

Copyright protection lasts for the life of the author, plus an additional 70 years. In the case of a corporate owner, the duration of copyright is 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

The use of the copyright notice is important because it informs the public that the work is protected by copyright. The notice consists of the letter C in a circle ©, or the word Copyright, the year date of publication, or creation if the work is unpublished, and the name of the copyright owner. Example: © 2007 John Smith.

Publication of an original work of authorship is the distribution of copies or phonorecords of a work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. The offering to distribute copies or phonorecords to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or public display constitutes publication. A public performance or display of a work does not of itself constitute publication.