What is Copyright?

U.S. Copyright Office

30 Oct 201905:26

Summary

TLDRThis video explains copyright as a vital form of intellectual property that protects creative works like books, music, and films. It distinguishes copyright from trademarks and patents, emphasizing the importance of creativity and fixation in establishing copyright. The video outlines the rights granted to copyright holders, including reproduction and distribution, and explains the duration of copyright protection. It also highlights exceptions like fair use and the first sale doctrine. Finally, the benefits of registering works with the Copyright Office are discussed, underscoring the legal advantages it provides.

Takeaways

📚 Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects creative works like books, movies, and songs.
🔍 Trademarks and patents are different forms of intellectual property; trademarks protect brand identifiers, while patents protect inventions.
⚖️ Copyright law is established by federal law and has been integral to promoting the progress of culture and knowledge since the founding of the U.S.
📝 To qualify for copyright protection, a work must be independently created, show minimal creativity, and be fixed in a tangible medium.
🗺️ The scope of copyright has expanded since 1790, now covering a wide range of creative works including music, literature, and audiovisual content.
🚫 Copyright does not protect ideas, procedures, or facts, but rather the expression of those ideas.
✨ The standard for creativity is low; even a minimal spark of creativity can qualify a work for copyright.
🖊️ Registration with the Copyright Office is not mandatory but provides legal benefits, such as the ability to sue for infringement.
⏳ Copyright typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, or a set period for works made for hire.
⚖️ Users must generally obtain permission to use copyrighted works, but fair use and the first sale doctrine provide important exceptions.

Q & A

What is copyright?
-Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects creative works such as books, movies, songs, sculptures, and software.
How does copyright differ from trademarks and patents?
-Copyright protects the expression of an idea, while trademarks prevent confusion between similar brands, and patents protect inventions and discoveries.
What rights do copyright owners have?
-Copyright owners have exclusive rights to sell, publicly display, and perform their works, or to authorize others to do so.
What are the requirements for a work to be copyrightable?
-A work must be independently created by the author, have a minimal amount of creativity, and be fixed in a tangible medium.
What types of works are protected by copyright?
-Copyright protects a variety of works including literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial, audiovisual, and architectural works.
What does it mean for a work to be 'fixed'?
-A fixed work is one that can be perceived directly or through a technological device; it does not need to be permanent but should not be too transitory.
Why is registering a work with the Copyright Office important?
-Registration creates a public record of the work, and it is necessary for bringing a lawsuit for copyright infringement.
How long does copyright protection last?
-Copyright generally lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years, or for works made for hire, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.
What is 'fair use'?
-Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, or research.
What is the 'first sale doctrine'?
-The first sale doctrine allows the owner of a copy of a copyrighted work to resell or dispose of that copy without needing permission from the copyright owner.