Why Are Copyright Laws Important?

A copyright law is a legal protection provided to the original author, musician, or artist. It covers works including plays and dramas, books, songs and recordings, architecture, motion pictures and machinery. From a legal standpoint, a copyright is proof that the work is original and not copied from any other source.

Function

A copyright disallows the copying of another's original work, either written or drawn. However, work created for an employer generally is not considered a copyright by the author.

Registration

Copyright is automatically granted to the creator of the work, whether or not that work is for sale, published or unpublished. While it is not necessary to obtain a copyright registration, additional benefits are available when the item is registered with the copyright office.

Time Frame

Works created after January 1, 1978 are protected for the author's life plus 70 years. Works prior to that date are protected for a maximum of 75 years.

Features

A copyright is best indicated with a letter C in a circle ©. It is acceptable to use the word Copyright followed by the year of creation and author's name.

Cost

As of 2009, copyright fees begin at $35.

Consequences

Theft of copyrights is a serious offense. The offender can be subject to statutory damages, attorney fees and jail time.

Fair Use

Short quotes used in research, books, or articles are generally allowed as long as the work is cited properly, giving credit to the original author and source of quote.

Resources

• U. S. Government Copyright Office
• Copyright Myths