Copyright
Candlefocus EditorCopyright law is a system of legal protection for creators and their original works of authorship, such as books, music, artwork, software, and more. This protection is essential in the digital age, since the ease of reproducing and potentially misusing material can be a major impediment to creating and sharing new product, writing, and work. Copyright law ensures creators have the exclusive right to reproduce and showcase their work, as well as to transfer ownership to another party, if they wish.
For an original work to receive copyright protection, it must be in a tangible form. This means the creative work must exist in a medium and format that can be seen, heard, or read, and the work must be original and come from the creator's own thoughts and judgments. In the United States, copyright is automatic for the creator's work, and registration with the United States Copyright Office is optional.
Copyright law ensures that for the duration of the creator's life, plus an additional 70 years, their creative works will be protected from unauthorized duplication or use. This extra period of time serves to protect the creator’s estate from having their works used, published, or adapted without their permission. After the duration of protection has been served, a copyright-protected work enters into the public domain, where it can be used free of charge by anyone.
The idea of copyright law is to give creators exclusive rights to control the reproduction and use of their original creations and to ensure that if someone infringes upon their rights, the law is there to protect them. For creators, it is essential to understand this form of legal protection, as it helps to ensure that their work enjoys the protection they deserve.