German Copyright Law
German copyright law is enforced by laws passed by the German government and recorded in the German Copyright Act. The Holme Roberts & Owen legal website explains that German copyright rules have specific differences from those used in the U.S.
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Copyright
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Holme Roberts & Owen reports German copyright law gives the initial copyright for a work to the author of the work. Copyright cannot be passed on to another party under German law, but exploitation rights can be given to a third party. Copyright law in Germany was created in an attempt to allow authors, performers and artists to benefit from the creation and use of their work.
Protected Works
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According to the IUSCOMP legal information website, German copyright law provides protection for literary, scientific and artistic works. Included for protection are photographic works, language works such as speeches, and musical works and choreographed performances. The Shareware Justice website explains that computer programs are protected in any form, including the original programming language.
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Offence
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It is a criminal offense under German law to infringe upon the copyright of a work. Shareware Justice explains that sentences allowed by law include a prison term of up to five years and a fine of an unspecified amount. Under German copyright law, the party whose copyright has been infringed upon is entitled to compensation.
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