international copyright http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for international copyright Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:41:02 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/international+copyright What Is International Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 11:20:00 +0000 berne conventioncopyright lawintellectual property rightstaken into considerationinternational copyrightinternational conventionscopyright protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-international-copyright-law copyright law. Yes, that is right. There is not an law that will protect your work on the other side of the world. However, it is important to note that most countries do offer some form of protection known as "foreign" works.

and treaties have done a lot to protect owners of copyrights around the world. With the world seemingly becoming smaller every day, the United States took a look at its stance on the European copyright treaty known as the . Basically, the Berne Convention of 1886 involved European nations coming together to seek a uniform copyright law to keep their copyright owners from having to register for copyrights in individuals European countries. The United States signed on to the Berne Convention introduced made it into a U.S. law known as the Berne Implementation Act of 1988.

If you are seeking to have your work protected in a particular country, you need to find out what kind of protection foreign authors have in that country. Some countries offer little or no protection to foreign authors. The U.S. Copyright Office is not allowed to give authors recommendations or the names of attorneys or agents that could help them understand foreign copyright laws. However, with a little investigation it is not hard to find someone who is an expert on foreign copyright law. These individuals can help you learn more about and how your work is deemed in a foreign country.

Someone who works in international copyright law will tell you that it is different than most other sectors of law. It involves knowing the copyright law of two or more countries. Every country has their own way of granting and protecting someone's copyright. The individual criteria of each country must be when you are dealing with international copyright law. Some countries do not have any and some countries even grant more copyright protections than the United States. International copyright laws involve understanding international treaties and conventions, like the Berne Treaty and WIPO Copyright Treaty. If you are interested in pursuing a degree in law, you may want to explore the international copyright law sector. With the world becoming one big neighborhood, you will probably not lack work.

People with copyrighted works need to be aware that there are differences in the copyright laws in some nations. While it is true the United States has signed treaties with some nations, your work will not be protected in every country of the world. As stated, the United States is a member of the Berne Treaty. In addition, the United States is a member of the WIPO Copyright Treaty. This treaty works in conjunction with the Berne Treaty, yet it also covers and gives protection to databases and computer programs. If you would like more information on international copyright law, you should check with an attorney who specializes in international copyright law. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> International Copyright Protection: Fact Or Myth? http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:30:00 +0000 international copyrightintricacieslegal repercussionswidgetscopyright protectionglobal economycopyright regulations http://www.artwoo.com/article/international-copyright-protection-fact-or-myth international copyright protection.



As nice as it would be in our to have some sort of clear international regime in place to govern copyrights and their violations, there is none. There is no international .

Generally speaking, protection is governed by the country in which a copyright is claimed or in which a violation is alleged.

Most countries do have in place, but their terms may vary considerably.



Some nations actively cooperate with the U.S. on copyright relations and the U.S. Copyright Office provides information about those agreements and methods for handling international copyright disputes.

As mentioned in the introduction to this ebook, there are resources available regarding copyright considerations in other countries. If you have an issue with potential infringement and are willing to do your homework, you may be able to come to grips with the of international copyright laws and how to apply them to your specific case.



More often than not, however, international copyright issues are too complicated (and often, too costly) for the average person to pursue. This is a particular problem in today's global economy when a competing website could steal materials from another one without any real fear of .

.com could steal from GoodWidgets.com without too much concern, it might seem, if one site is ran from England and the other from Azerbaijan.



It is worth noting, however, that many web site hosts that aren't located in the U.S. are still willing to voluntarily enforce the provisions of the DMCA (which we'll soon discuss in greater detail). One should not, however, assume that a non-U.S. entity will ever bend to U.S. law. They don't need to do so and they probably won't absent an international agreement to the contrary.

Fortunately, many international agreements are in place. The Berne Convention, for instance, has more than one hundred signatories to the treaty who are obliged to provide copyright protections to authors.



The General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs (GATT) treaty also contains some copyright protection provisions.

These treaties have successfully allowed many authors to enforce their rights in other jurisdictions. However, when it comes to copyright, the key factors are often very detailed and differences in laws can result in outcomes one may not anticipate.

Additionally, even though various treaty regimes do assist in copyright protection, the rapidly changing nature of online communication has left some gaps in the system, complicating matters for online copyright holders. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Understanding International Copyright Laws For Software Programmers http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-international-copyright-laws-for-software-programmers http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-international-copyright-laws-for-software-programmers#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:34:59 +0000 software copyrightworld trade organizationinternational softwareintellectual property rightsamerican governmentnew computerspatent http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-international-copyright-laws-for-software-programmers software copyright? According to agreements by the (WTO) and the Trade-Related Aspects of (TRIP), any software written has an automatic copyright. This is a conclusive consensus as far as an international copyright goes.

An copyright should not, however, be confused with a . Copyrights provide creators with the ability to prevent others from directly copying the software code. A patent can actually limit the use of the software. Because of this, patents are a hotly debated topic when it comes to software.

The biggest thing to know about international software copyright is that your code is essentially protected the moment you create it. This is, unless you have some kind of contract through your employer that all code you create belongs to them.

The problem many companies face to enforce software copyright is that computers are not permanent fixtures in a company. Computers are disposable hardware. Because technology keeps evolving, software needs to be updated when are purchased. Rather than purchasing new copies of software when the computers are replaced, companies are notorious for reusing old copies of the software. They are also famous for replacing 10 computers with the software installed with 40 new computers and installing the 10 copies of the software on all 40 computers. This is breaking software copyright.

There are no major differences between traditional policies for American copyright and international software copyright which make legal issues, troubles, and woes that much easier to deal with. By having a unified international front there are ramifications and legal actions that can be taken around the world without going through a great deal of international red tape. If you think dealing with the is bad, you should see how much fun it is to deal with the American government and another government for a legal action.

The agreement between nations for international software copyright is probably one of the soundest possible decisions that can be made as military secrets of all governments have some degree of software to keep them operating. While it isn't quite as simplistic as stealing a computer program to unlock the defense secrets of a nation, having access to certain source codes could be problematic in the absolute best-case scenario. Keeping secrets isn't the only thing that makes this agreement so valuable, it is however, one of the most vital.

Perhaps one of the greatest things to protect and honor software copyright is the peace of mind that is available to software developers in America and other technologically advanced countries. Their source code won't be allowed to be stolen and used against them at a later date by someone in a developing nation with cheap labor and other overhead costs that American corporations simply cannot compete with. This could be devastating to the economies of technological societies if it were allowed to happen. The agreement for an international software copyright prevents that from being allowed to occur. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Copyright Law And Legal Protection Of Your Work http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work#comments Sun, 29 Jul 2007 01:14:59 +0000 publish a bookintellectual propertycopyright lawfifty yearsroyaltiesblogminnesota law http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-law-and-legal-protection-of-your-work Copyright law is a means of securing legal protection of your ownership of a publication or another type of , such as a website or a . If you and sign a contract with a publisher, you normally agree to relinquish all rights to the work until a certain condition is met. This can be a length of time, in which case you will start to earn after your book has been in print for a certain number of months. It can also be a price, which would be the total royalties that your book must earn before you start getting paid. This price is normally your publishing advance, so when your book has made more than your advance, you start earning royalties.

When you publish a book, a website or a blog you automatically establish ownership of that content, whether you sign a contract or not. International copyright law can be extremely complicated, with many different clauses and conditions. However, the standard copyright for any publication is the life of the author plus . Once this time is over, the copyright of the publication could fall into the hands of any number of entities. Your copyright usually falls into the public domain, but you could have a special clause in your contract stipulating otherwise.

There are two different types of copyright that are generally established for a publication. The first is the copyright in the literary work itself, which has the duration of your life plus fifty years. The second is the copyright in the layout, format and distinct "feel" of the publication. According to copyright law the content remains your intellectual property for fifty years after that specific publication, so if your book sees a new edition a century after its first publication, you will still own this copyright. Get a minnesota business attorney to help you with , including copyright issues: http://www.bolinskelaw.com ]]> The Fine Line Between Plagerism And Copyright Violation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:29:59 +0000 plagiarismplagiarizingoften used interchangeablyintellectual property rightsplagiaristauthor attributionpoem http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fine-line-between-plagerism-and-copyright-violation plagiarism" and "copyright violation" are . Although that may work well for most dinner table conversations, it's actually incredibly incorrect. Not all acts of plagiarism are copyright violations and the two concepts are actually quite distinct.

Copyright violation refers to the use of protected material without the appropriately expressed consent of the owner. If you take a I have written and to which I hold copyright and then place it on your website, you are violating my copyright. You are breaking the law.

Are you ? Maybe. If you indicate that I am the author (attribution) you aren't really plagiarizing. You have certainly stolen my poem and you are in violation of copyright law, but you aren't passing it off as your own.

Plagiarism refers to stealing the work or ideas of another person for your own use without properly attributing the source.

Being a can get you in trouble in academic and professional settings, but it isn't necessarily illegal.

Illegality only enters the picture at the point of a copyright violation.



Plagiarism is, primarily, an ethical issue. It involves whether it is right or wrong to copy or to steal the ideas of another and pretend as if it is your own.



Copyright, on the other hand, is a legal matter. It involves whether your use of someone else's work infringes their .

All copyright violations aren't plagiarism. Not all plagiarism rises to the level of copyright violation. However, the two phenomena do overlap a great deal. In many cases, the plagiarist will be a copyright infringer. Quite often, the person violating a copyright will be in the process of plagiarizing.

Nonetheless, it does make sense to understand the difference between the two acts. If someone plagiarizes you, you may or may not have recourse. It will usually depend upon whether the act also constitutes an infringement of copyright. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> How Copyright Protection Works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works#comments Thu, 25 May 2006 15:32:07 +0000 copyright protectioncopyright lawdomain namesinternet corporation for assigned names and numbersdomain namelogo artworkpatent trademark office http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works
How can I copyright my website? The original authorship that appears on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes artwork, writings, photographs and other forms of authorship protected by copyright. Actions for registering the contents of a website can be found in Copyright Registration for Online Works.

How about copyright and my ? does not protect . The that is a nonprofit organization that has understood the responsibility for domain name system management is administrating the assignation of domain names through recognized registers.

How about copyright to a slogan, logo, name or title? Copyright does not protect titles, names, slogans or short phrases. In a few cases these things may be protected as trademarks. Get in touch with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on phone 800-786-9199 for additional information. Nevertheless may be obtainable for that contains enough authorship.

Can I protect my ideas? Copyright does not protect systems, concepts, ideas or methods of doing something. You may convey your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your explanation, but that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

Copyright protection and unpublished work. Publication is not required for copyright protection. It can be done with unpublished work as well.

Architecture copyright protection? Architectural work became subject matter to copyright protection on the 1.st of December 1990. The copyright law defines architectural work as "the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, drawings or architectural plans." Copyright protection extends to any architectural work created on or after Dec. 1, 1990. Any architectural works that were incomplete and embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on that date and were constructed by December 31, 2002, are entitled to protection. Architectural designs embodied in buildings constructed prior to December 1, 1990, are not entitled for copyright protection. See Copyright Claims in Architectural Works Much more information about Copyright Protection http://www.copyright-protection-e.com on this website. See for your self. ]]> How Copyright Protection Works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works#comments Thu, 25 May 2006 15:32:03 +0000 copyright protectioncopyright lawdomain namesinternet corporation for assigned names and numbersdomain namelogo artworkpatent trademark office http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-copyright-protection-works
How can I copyright my website? The original authorship that appears on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes artwork, writings, photographs and other forms of authorship protected by copyright. Actions for registering the contents of a website can be found in Copyright Registration for Online Works.

How about copyright and my ? does not protect . The that is a nonprofit organization that has understood the responsibility for domain name system management is administrating the assignation of domain names through recognized registers.

How about copyright to a slogan, logo, name or title? Copyright does not protect titles, names, slogans or short phrases. In a few cases these things may be protected as trademarks. Get in touch with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on phone 800-786-9199 for additional information. Nevertheless may be obtainable for that contains enough authorship.

Can I protect my ideas? Copyright does not protect systems, concepts, ideas or methods of doing something. You may convey your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your explanation, but that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

Copyright protection and unpublished work. Publication is not required for copyright protection. It can be done with unpublished work as well.

Architecture copyright protection? Architectural work became subject matter to copyright protection on the 1.st of December 1990. The copyright law defines architectural work as "the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, drawings or architectural plans." Copyright protection extends to any architectural work created on or after Dec. 1, 1990. Any architectural works that were incomplete and embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on that date and were constructed by December 31, 2002, are entitled to protection. Architectural designs embodied in buildings constructed prior to December 1, 1990, are not entitled for copyright protection. See Copyright Claims in Architectural Works Much more information about Copyright Protection http://www.copyright-protection-e.com on this website. See for your self. ]]> What Is U.S. Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law#comments Sun, 20 May 2007 07:15:01 +0000 us copyright lawthis means thatartistic expressioncopyright actcriminal sanctionscoverscopyright symbol http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-us-copyright-law US Copyright Law grants rights to individuals for the works they create. The US of 1790 has changed over the years. The current basis of US copyright law is based on the Copyright Act of 1976. US copyright law is relatively automatic. Once someone has an idea and produces it in tangible form, the creator is the copyright holder and has the authority to enforce his exclusivity to it. In other words, the person is the owner of the creation. It is not necessary that a person register their work. However, it is recommended and it can serve as evidence if someone ever violates a copyright. It is interesting to note that when an employer hires an employee to produce a work that the copyright is given to the employer.

Violations of US Copyright Law are generally enforced in a civil court setting. However, there could also be brought against someone who violates US copyright law. Someone in serious violation of US Copyright Law, such as counterfeiting, can find themselves on the inside of prison looking out. People need to understand the is not a requirement. Someone may have a copyright, yet their work may not have a copyright notice or symbol.

US Copyright Law a wide range of things that are derived from , intellectual or creative work. This includes things such as literary works, music, drawings, photographs, software, movies, choreographic works such as ballets and plays, poems, paintings and more. The law covers the form of expression, not the concept, facts or the actual idea of the work. someone can use another person's idea or concept and produce their own take on it. However, copying another person's work is a violation. some things may not be copyrighted but they may be protected by a patent or trademark.

Individuals who have a copyright on a particular piece of work can do with it what they will. They may choose to copy it and sell it. They may display their work or perform it in public and charge admission, or they can assign or sell the work to someone else. Individuals who have a copyright can also choose to do nothing with their work, if that is their desire. However, if someone comes along and takes the work and tries to use it in some way, that person is still in violation of the owner's copyright. Copyrights cover published and unpublished work.

Anyone who is in the creative arts arena should be very careful that they do not violate US Copyright Law. For that matter, anyone who is a fan of the creative arts should make sure they are not in violation of a copyright. Simple things like uploading, downloading and sharing music or movie files can result in serious charges and fines being brought against them. The popularity of the Internet and file sharing software has increased copyright violations. Copyright owners are starting to take a stand against copyright violators and are hunting down the perpetrators. Be careful you are not overstepping your boundaries and violating someone's copyright law. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com ]]> When Does Copyright Expire On My Music? http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:24:59 +0000 copyright musiccopyrighted musicmusic worksthis means thatfreelance journalistlifetimeworry http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-does-copyright-expire-on-my-music copyrighted music isn't something you have to about, at least not in your . The music that you've written is copyrighted the moment you've put it onto paper or recorded it. The reason you don't have to worry about expiration is because the music is protected until 70 years after the death of the author. In the case of your music, that author would be you.

This rule about expiration was first put into place so that the families and heirs of an author could still earn royalties even after his or her death. Ultimately if you've taken the steps to copyright your music and have registered the copyright, then your music will be protected throughout your lifetime until 70 years after you or the last surviving author (assuming a collaboration) is deceased.

Copyright music expiration is not something you should make a primary concern unless you are having issues of someone respecting and/or honoring your copyright at the moment. You should take comfort in the fact that as long as you are alive you are the only one who can assign your copyright to another person; and as long as you haven't given up your ownership of the music it still belongs to you.

This is different, however, if your copyrighted music was work "made for hire." If that is the case then you cannot have ownership of the music, as it never legally belonged to you, but the person or entity who hired you to produce the music. Works made for hire have different copyright music expiration than those owned by the creator. With works made for hire, the copyrights are in effect for 95 years from the original publication date or for 120 years from the creation of the work, whichever of the two is shorter. Brian Scott is a who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> How To Use Copyrighted Music Legally http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:35:00 +0000 public domain musicfree public domain musiccopyright musicwritten musicuse musicrecorded musicfree public domain http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-copyrighted-music-legally copyright music is often mistaken with free or music in which the copyright has expired. A copyright is in place for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. If more than one songwriter has authored the music, then the copyright will be in effect for 70 years after the death of the last surviving contributor.

This copyright law was created to ensure that the heirs of the songwriter would also benefit from the royalties after the music's writer or composer was no longer living. It is important to remember that these laws are the current laws; music written at different points in time are most likely subject to different copyright laws. When searching for free copyright music it is always a good idea to search through music that is very old rather than focusing your search on more recent musical selections, as they will most likely still be protected under copyright.

When using free copyright music or public domain music, you must be certain the copy you are using is within the copyright period. Any music published before 1922 is public domain music. This does not, however, include derivatives or new versions of that music which may still be under copyright protection. Finding a copy of the music with the copyright date included, if that date is prior to 1922, is the best route to ensure you are complying with current copyright laws and you not infringing on someone else's copyright.

is protected differently than . Almost every sound recording copyrighted in the United States is protected until 2067. If you need a sound recording you should either purchase one or make one of your own. You can find many free copyright music by searching on Google; which allows free use of the music and free of any royalty payments.

Copyright laws in the United States are different than they are in other countries. If you wish to that is or was under copyright in another country, then you must follow the laws that apply to the particular piece of music. Free copyright music is available in almost every country and many genres; the trick is finding great sources where you can easily find this music.

There is a project called Mutopia, which operates like project Gutenberg. Mutopia provides free copyright music. The Gutenberg project also has a section devoted to free sheet music, in addition to its wonderful resources for books. Each of these projects provides excellent resources to find free copyright music for whatever reason.

Whether you are a musician seeking inspiration from the music of old or hoping to find a composition -- which you can rearrange and make your own -- there are many ways you can achieve your goals that will not violate current copyright laws. The key is learning the copyright laws both where you live and countries in which the music you seek to modify. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> A Review of the Escape International Income Opportunity http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-escape-international-income-opportunity http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-escape-international-income-opportunity#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:36:16 +0000 network marketing companydirect marketinggeneral descriptionbusiness modelmainstreamearningsfront page http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-escape-international-income-opportunity mainstream. A that was founded by David A Ruiz, Escape International prides itself on its values. The company is faith based and lists its God-centric and Bible-inspired decisions as its top value.

Escape International boasts that everyone who joins their program has the opportunity to earn a huge income. These opportunities exist in two different categories: and network marketing. Direct selling is relationship based while network marketing focuses on building a network of direct sellers.

Escape International's website boasts that everybody who wants to be a seller for Escape International can get started for free. They seem to be very excited about offering their for free! The only problem with getting the free information about Escape International's income program is that you have to sign up for it before you get a look at the business model.

This might have been fine if it were not for two things. The first reason not to sign up for Escape International is... you can't. When you go to the "Get Started" page on the Escape International website, you are taken to a very of the two major methods. Then you are presented with a link that says "Click Here to Join Now." When you click on that link, you are taken to another page that welcomes you to Escape International and then presents you with a "Sign up now" link.

When you click on the Sign up Now link, it takes you to a page with a blank box. In the box you are supposed to type the number of the Representative that referred you to Escape International. What if you weren't referred? Well that means that you are out of luck. Leaving the field blank and hitting enter only brings up the same exact page. There is a "Contact Us" link on the of the site, so it might be possible to contact Escape International directly and ask them for a referral number.

The second reason not that you should not sign up before reading the Escape International business model is that the site provides no privacy policy! Why would you give out your information if you aren't allowed to read the privacy policy first? Any company that won't tell you up front what it will do with your personal information is not worth joining.

Another reason to not join Escape International is the complete lack of any specific information about how to sell the products or how the company's compensation plan is set up. While there is something to be said for confidentiality, why would you sign up for something when you don't know what it entails?

We think that this is a company that should be passed by. With all of the income opportunities available out there, Escape International is just too sketchy for our taste.Learn the Lemons from the Straight MLM Winners and read about Escape International from Brian Garvin and Jeff West at MLM Review Kings. This article may be used royalty free provided Bio and Links remain intact. Copyright © Mission Billion, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide]]> The Copyright Law Act Of 1976 Is Still Relevant In Today's Digital Age http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:24:59 +0000 copyright lawcopyright lawslaw actsound recordingspreemptedpantomimescopyright symbol http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-copyright-law-act-of-1976-is-still-relevant-in-todays-digital-age Copyright Law Act of 1976 is the basis of United States . The Copyright states the rights of copyright owners, the doctrine of the Fair Use copyright laws, and it changed the term life of copyrights. Before the Copyright Law Act, the law had not been revised since 1909. It was necessary that copyright laws be revised to take into account technological strides that were being made in radio, , motions pictures and more. The Copyright Law Act of 1976 all previous laws that were on the books in the United States, including the Copyright Act of 1909.



The Copyright Law Act of 1976 defines "works of authorship" to include all of the following:

* Musical works * Literary works * Dramatic works * Pictorial, sculptural and graphics * Motion Pictures and Audiovisuals * Sound Recordings * Choreographic Works and * An eighth work which falls under "architectural works" was later added in 1990.

What is unique about the United States copyright law is that it is automatic. Once someone has an idea and produces it in tangible form, the creator is the copyright holder and has the authority to enforce his exclusivity to it. In other words, the person is the owner of the creation. It is not necessary that a person register their work. However, it is recommended and it can serve as evidence if someone ever violates a copyright.

Violations of US Copyright Laws are generally enforced in a civil court setting. However, there could also be criminal sanctions brought against someone who violates US copyright laws. Someone who is in serious violation of US Copyright Laws, such as counterfeiting, can find themselves on the inside of prison. People need to understand that the is not a requirement. Someone may have a copyright, yet their work may not have a copyright notice or symbol.

US Copyright Law covers a wide range of things that are derived from artistic expression, intellectual or creative work. This includes things such as literary works, music, drawings, photographs, software, movies, choreographic works such as ballets and plays, poems, paintings and more. The law covers the form of expression, not the concept, facts or the actual idea of the work. This means that someone can use another person's idea or concept and produce their own take on it. However, copying another person's work is a violation. Some things may not be copyrighted but they may be protected by a patent or trademark.

Individuals who have a copyright on a particular piece of work can do what they want with it. They may choose to copy it and sell it. They may display their work or perform it in public and charge admission, or they can assign or sell the work to someone else. Individuals who have a copyright can also choose to do nothing with their work, if that is their desire. However, if someone comes along and takes the work and tries to use it in some way, that person is still in violation of the owner's copyright. The Copyright Law Act covers published and unpublished works. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> What Is Fair Use Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law#comments Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:15:01 +0000 copyright lawresearch scholarshipfinancial gainseducational usespublishing companiescommercial gainnews reports http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-fair-use-copyright-law copyright law. The Fair Use copyright law enables people to use portions of material that is copyrighted for the purposes of criticism or as commentary. The hard part for many people is understanding what is permissible under the Fair Use copyright law and what is not permissible. Anyone who writes or publishes should brush up on what is allowed and what is not allowed. Using another person's words to make , to use as a comment or criticism or to use for research, scholarship, or for that are nonprofit are generally considered Fair Use. In these instances, the Fair Use copyright law allows one person or author to make use of another person or author's work without asking permission to do so. In situations that do not fall within these specifications, you are probably violating someone's copyright if you use their work =96 especially if you are using another person's work for economic or .



When you are trying to see if you can use another's words, you should keep a few things in mind. The answer to the following questions will help you gage whether you would be violating a copyright.

First, are you transforming someone else's work or are you copying it?

Second, are you making any from your work that would compete with the original copyright holder?

Third, do you have the author's permission to quote their work? Just because you list the author and give credit to him or her does not protect you from infringing upon someone's copyright.

Fourth, how much of the original author's work are you using? If you are using a substantial amount of another's work, you are probably in direct violation of their copyright.

Many have set rules on how much material they will allow to be quoted in other sources. Some of these ranges start at 100 words or less. However, there are truly no standards to go by, so be careful. You can not assume that keeping your copying fewer than 50 words will allow you to pass under the radar =96 especially if the original piece is hovering around 125 words itself!

Lastly, what portion of another's work are you using? If it is the meat of the book and the most important part of the book, you are probably in direct violation of the owner's copyright.

With a little common sense it is not hard to decide if you are violating someone's copyright. People who are truly interested in staying within the guidelines of the Fair Use copyright law usually do a good job of doing so. Many people push the Fair Use copyright law right up to the line, while others will blatantly cross over it without giving a second thought to the repercussions. When these people are summoned to court to answer for their vagrant disregard for the property and copyright of another, they are usually sorry. Sorry they got caught! It is very important that people who take advantage of the Fair Use copyright law are held accountable for their actions. Without accountability many more people would follow in their footsteps and use other creators' works as their own. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com ]]> Copyright Infringement Cases Can Teach Us To Obey Copyright Laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:25:00 +0000 copyright infringement casecopyright infringement casesprinceton university presssupreme courtcopyright lawfeist publicationstelephone service co http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-cases-can-teach-us-to-obey-copyright-laws Copyright infringement cases can be both costly and time consuming. Considering copyright infringement is something that isn't as easily defined as theft or speeding, there are numerous changing the way is viewed in the U.S. By reviewing a few of these copyright infringement cases, you can get a better idea of what is, and what is not, acceptable use of copyrighted works.

As a forward, however, you'll need to know something about copyright law. Most copyright lawsuits are brought to the courts because a copyright owner has found their copyright is being used outside the copyright laws. This usually means the copyright holder hadn't been asked for permission to use the work; or if they had, the work is not being used in an agreed-upon context or they have not been paid royalties. The copyright infringement cases, listed below, sample of what goes to the in copyright infringement.

v. Rural (6th Cir. 1996)

This copyright infringement case was brought to the Supreme Court in 1996 regarding the copyright of a database. The Supreme Court, in this instance, decided that compilations of data (such as in a database) are only protected by copyright when they are "arranged and selected in an original manner." Although the level of originality needed to make the database copyright-able is not very high, the pages of a directory (such as a phone book) are not protected because the data contained therein is arranged geographically, then alphabetically. Because of this, the data was not original enough to warrant a copyright infringement charge. The competing telephone company was allowed to tap into their competitors' database and use that data in their own work without liability.

v. Michigan Document Services, Inc (6th Cir 1996)

This case has to do with the Fair Use law, which is defined in the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. =A7 107. In this case, a photocopying service was sued for copyright infringement for making "course packs" for the University of Michigan. In this case, a course pack was a group of reading materials assigned by a professor -- then the course pack was bound together by a professional copy shop.

In the Fair Use system, there is a system available for payment of copyright fees to publishers whose works are used in course materials. The printing shop owner refused to pay the copyright cost. When it went to the Supreme Court, they analyzed the Fair Use code and found that it was NOT Fair Use, and the printing shop had to pay the copyright costs.

As you can see, copyright infringement cases are cases in which someone violates the rights of a copyright owner, as provided by 17 USC =A7106, or of the author as provided in =A7106A. These copyright infringement cases can be taken to either criminal or civil court, and can carry with it a hefty fine.

Copyright infringement cases are brought upon people who violate copyrights every day. In recent times, you'll find many copyright cases in relation to electronic copyrights -- such as those you'd find on a website or PDF file, as well as other digital media such as music and audio files.

It's probable that you've seen copyright cases brought against the common person -- such as a child or family -- for downloading digital music in the form of MP3s. In the current Internet age, it's not surprising to see so many music and video copyright cases brought to us because of peer to peer file sharing made possible by the Internet. You can be certain that until people know the rules of copyright, and downloading copyrighted material from the Internet, we'll see many more copyright cases. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Getting More From International Travel Guides And Deals http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-more-from-international-travel-guides-and-deals http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-more-from-international-travel-guides-and-deals#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:15:00 +0000 travel agenciesflightstourism effortshustle and bustlepertinent travelhost countriesinternational travel http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-more-from-international-travel-guides-and-deals international travel is a by-product of the extensive of many countries to draw tourists to visit their shores. This is evident in the mass distribution of literature by at many overseas markets and exhibitions to sell their local attractions to potential tourists from all over the world, apart from lobbying with foreign embassies for the issuance of travel-friendly advisories.

The undeniable presence of travel agents and in domestic markets has fast-tracked the promotion and sale of overseas destinations to locales who are enticed by discount travel rates, affordable tour packages, attractive locations and other vacation deals that are available at their choice destination. Apart from delivering regular sales functions, travel agencies assume the related to overseas travel by providing premium services to all their clients. These services range from the booking of and hotel accommodation, securing of pertinent travel documents such as passports and visas, obtaining adequate travel insurance for the traveler and coordinating with overseas agencies in the case of packaged tours. Legitimate travel agencies are usually affiliated with an international network of travel agents to ensure that the traveler is better served from the moment he sets foot on the flight right to when it's time to say goodbye.

Incidentally, major airlines have expanded their global destinations and likewise increased the frequency of flights between host countries to support relevant tourism objectives. The incidence of air travel is steadily on the rise each year and airline companies benefit much from economies of scale which allows them to offer more affordable flight packages.

All these developments prompted an upsurge of demand for international travel and flights from families and friends who wish to travel abroad for recreation, as well as from individuals on official business overseas.. Copyright =A9 2007, http://www.PhileoTravel.com This article may be freely reprinted in your ezine, e-book, blog or web site as long as it includes this copyright notice in full. ]]> How To Copyright Your Music To Protect Your Future Royalties http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties#comments Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:35:01 +0000 copyright musiccopyrighting musicrecorded musicsheet musicart musicmore commonly knowntwo different things http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-your-music-to-protect-your-future-royalties copyrighting music with registering music; these are . According to the law in the United States, once you have written or recorded your music in a permanent form, it is automatically copyrighted.

Of course, it might help to first understand what it means to in the first place. A copyright is a certain legal protection that is offered to those who compose creative works, whether those works are art, music, or the written word. The U. S. Constitution states there are limits one can place on the amount of time the work is exclusively protected.

If you copyright music, this means you (and you alone) have the right to use your work or allow others to use your work. You also have the right to distribute copies of your work. Whether those copies are in the form of written or or to the public as well as the right to perform your music for the public.

There is something called Fair Use ( as the Fair Use Doctrine) that allows anyone to use your written or recorded music for the purpose of research, news reporting, commentary, or criticism. In other words, there are times when the use of copyrighted material is deemed appropriate without the consent of the one holding the copyright.

In some cases, copyrighting music alone is not enough to protect your music, at least not without going through a lot of hoops to do so. One of the things you can do to protect your copyright is provide notice of copyright. This involves writing a simple statement such as using the word "copyright," the date, and your name at the bottom of your sheet music or on the case for the recording or the actual recording itself. CDs are the most common means for recording devices today and a notice of copyright can easily be added to the exterior of your CD or on your label if you have one printed.

Why copyright music? The answer is simple: so others cannot take credit for your hard work and creative genius. For extra protection you may want to register your copyright as well. Registering your copyright will provide you with formal legal documentation of your ownership of your music should anyone attempt to claim rights to your music or dispute the true ownership/authorship of your music.

You must have your copyright registered if you wish to file a copyright infringement suit; it is, in my opinion, better to not only copyright music during the creation process, but also to register your copyright before it could possibly become an issue. Registering a copyright is not a difficult a process. Basically it involves filling out an application, paying a filing fee (check with the U. S. Copyright Office for the current amount), and a copy of the work you want to protect.

Your music doesn't have to be published to obtain a copyright. Music should be copyrighted and registered long before the publication process to protect your rights as the creator of the music. Whether you are dabbling with cute little limericks or writing masterpieces and concertos, you want to make sure to copyright music earlier rather than later for the best possible outcome should any problems arise. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Understanding Fair Use Rights http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:27:08 +0000 nuigalwaycopyright lawscopyright infringementjargonwords from a songparagraphscholarship http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-fair-use-rights Copyright infringement is defined as "a violation of the rights secured by a copyright."

All writers at one time or another have quoted something someone else has written. I see it all the time throughout the writing industry. Maybe you quoted the lines of a poem or a line from an article or the . I quoted the work of another author in the above , where I defined copyright. Given my example in the opening paragraph, did I just infringe on the author's copyright? Should I have gotten permission from the said author to quote them? No, under what is known as "fair use", I may quote the author without seeking permission.

There is a misconception in the writing world about what fair use is. Fair use is defined as "a concept in copyright law that allows limited use of copyright material without requiring permission from the rights holders, eg, for or review."

If you were to publish an author's article in its full entirety without seeking permission from that author you would be violating their copyright even if you credited the author and provided a link to the source of the article. Quoting two lines from the news article with a link to the entire article would be considered fair use. Except for the facts in the article, news articles are protected under . So when are you allowed the right to fair use? Fair use is allowed for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

I hope that this article has given you a better understanding of fair use. For more information on copyright, please visit http://www.copyright.gov

Acknowledgement: Help and FAQs - Explained (AF) [James Hardiman Library - NUI ... -.ie/help/jargon/" >http://www.library.nuigalway.ie/help/jargon/ Rose DesRochers is the founder of Today's Woman Writing Community http://www.todays-woman.net, a supportive online writing community for men and women over 18. Rose is also the founder of Blogger Talk Blog Community http://www.bloggertalk.net, a friendly fast growing blogging portal. ]]> What Is Music Copyright Law? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:25:01 +0000 music copyright lawmusic recordingsmusic copyrightingmusic copyrightsmusic compositionemaildownloading music http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-music-copyright-law music copyright law and do not even know it. Music copyright law can be very tricky. There are multiple that you must keep in mind =96 lyrics, composition and the recording of the music by an artist. Using someone's music may involve you acquiring many different licenses such as mechanical, synchronization, performance and publishing licenses.

Music copyright law has separate copyrights for the vocal or instrumental recordings of a composition or performance and the copyright of the written lyrics and music. Standard practices usually entail that the writer of the song retains the rights to the right to the which the studio that did the recording of the music holds the rights of the recording. Music copyright law can get very complicated. It can involve negotiations with the writers, producers, agents, heirs and more.

Many artists and studios are upset with the decline in music sales. They are attributing this decline to people who are violating copyright laws by on the Internet. Music files are under the same copyright law as and the owners of these copyrights are entitled to royalties or compensation for the music that people are illegally downloading on the Internet.

The simple fact is you are stealing if you make copies of copyrighted music recordings without authorization. If people were sued for the music they have downloaded illegally, it could result in thousands of dollars. Music copyright law states that it is illegal to duplicate and distribute creative work. If you send someone an with a song that you have illegally downloaded on the Internet, you could be in for some serious trouble. To put it bluntly and plainly, if you download (or upload) music that is copyrighted without permission, you are breaking the law.

Many people violate music copyright law and do not even understand how their actions are criminal. If you purchase a music CD you can make a copy of it for yourself on your MP3. However, if you then use that recording and put it on your website or blog and make it available for everyone to download, you are performing an illegal act. Even if you join a site and pay a fee to download music, you are in violation of music copyright law.

This may sound like something that would never come back to haunt you. After all, if you were caught, it would be a first time offense, right? Well, you should know that there have been first time offenders who have been fined up to $250,000 and up to five years in jail for violating music copyright law. It is so much easier to go out and pay 20 bucks for a CD.

Whether you are uploading music or downloading music, educate yourself on music copyright law. No one wants to ruin their financial future and face jail time. Enjoy music, just do it the right way! Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. ]]> Introduction To Copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:15:02 +0000 u s copyright officeanonymous authorunpublished worklegal representativecopyright protectionpseudonymcopyright law http://www.artwoo.com/article/introduction-to-copyright copyright law protects creators from having their works stolen or used without their permission. In the event that a work registered with the U.S. Copyright Office is stolen or infringed upon, the creator can pursue legal action. To ensure that your work is fully protected, you must have at least a basic understanding of copyright and how it applies to you and your work.

Copyright is the protection afforded to all creators of published and , including the authors of artistic, dramatic, literary, and musical works. In addition, when you register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office, your copyright is protected both in the United States and in those countries that have a agreement with the U.S.

Copyright allows you total control over your work: With exclusive copyright, you can reproduce your work; distribute and sell your creation; publicly perform the work; and publicly display your work.

According to U.S. law, copyright is immediately established the moment a work is created. For example, if you write a book, you legally hold exclusive copyrights to that book, unless you wrote the book on a work-for-hire basis in which you agreed to transfer all copyrights to another individual or business.

Transferring all copyrights is a common practice today, but the transfer is only valid if there is a written agreement that is signed by the original author or a acting on his behalf. However, if you're giving another individual nonexclusive rights to a work, you do not need a written agreement for it to be valid.

For all works created after January 1, 1978, works are automatically protected by copyright law from the moment of creation until 70 years after the author's death. Those works that are created on a work-for-hire basis or that are created by an or an author with a are protected (unless the author's name appears in records of the U.S. Copyright Office) for a period of 95 years from the work's publication or for a period of 120 years from the date of its creation, whichever proves to be shorter.

Because not all works are eligible for protection under copyright law, it's important that you know what types of works are protected: Those works that are protected by. copyright law include: literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, architectural, choreographic, and audiovisual works as well as sound recordings, motion pictures, and pantomimes.

There are numerous benefits to registering an eligible work with the U.S. Copyright Office. In addition to receiving a certificate of registration, your copyright will automatically become a part of public record. Additionally, should someone use your work without your permission, you can file suit against that individual and may be entitled to both statutory damages and attorney's fees.

Registering for a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a fairly straightforward process. In addition to filling out an application form, you must pay an application fee and provide a copy, or a nonrefundable deposit, of your work to the Copyright Office. Failing to send all of the materials together in the same package will likely result in having your package sent back to you. Learn more about how to Copyright your valuable works at http://www.how-to-copyright-it.com ]]> Everything You Need To Know About A Copyright Lawyer http://www.artwoo.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-copyright-lawyer http://www.artwoo.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-copyright-lawyer#comments Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:20:01 +0000 lawyerintellectual property patentspatents and trademarksfree ebooklawyerscopyright ownershipcopyright laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-copyright-lawyer lawyers deal with many different subjects such as Internet law, intellectual property, , and of course, your . Each lawyer has attended school for some time to get a degree to help you, which means they know more about the law than you do.

Some mistakes website owners make is when they buy articles online; many times a buyer assumes they have full copyright. This isn't always the case, depending on the agreement of ownership. To make sure you don't fall into this trap, you should have a lawyer create a contract before you hand over any money; this way you know for sure if you have full ownership or if the writer does. You have three different categories you may purchase an article: usage, full, and unique. A copyright lawyer will explain exactly what each one means. Usage means the buyer gets to use the article one time, but the writer can use it again or resell it. Full rights will give the buyer all rights; they can even place their name on the article, saying they wrote it.

A copyright lawyer will never tell you that you don't have to register your copyright; in fact they will encourage you to do it. Sure, they get money to do it for you, but you will have documented proof of your . If you don't file it, you can't sue if someone uses your information. (To learn more about copyrighting your work, download my , "Copyright Basics," at www.ResearchCopyright.com).

A copyright lawyer is not cheap. Most copyright will have special discounts on packages, which mean you can get a lot more than what you originally walked in for. Usually your lawyer will even advise you of things you didn't even have knowledge about.

A copyright lawyer can help you better understand the laws of the virtual world, as well as the real world. Every day someone new is getting sued over content on the Internet. It can be as simple as someone stealing an article, quote, song or a picture. A big issue is using another company's name in your tags to get the search engines to rank you higher. Other issues may be with bloggers today. Be careful with what you say about your places of business; not only could you get in trouble for any copyrighting issues but slander is another big issue.

Many people only look for a copyright lawyer when they want to copyright something or sue someone, but they normally don't think about hiring a copyright lawyer when they are being sued. This is definitely the person you want on the job defending you if the time comes. Before you hire a copyright lawyer, if you have any other questions call them up and ask them. Lawyers love to give advice, especially if they think you'll be hiring them.

Copyright Lawyers in the U.S.

A US copyright lawyer can help anyone in the United States, as they know U.S. copyright laws and the best ways to fight them. A US Copyright Lawyer protects you. A US copyright lawyer files a copyright, advises you and helps you get back what was once yours, and sue someone. If you are an American or someone currently living in the United States, you will be able to hire a US copyright lawyer; however, if you reside out of the States, you may have restrictions.

In the Internet world copyright issues are becoming a big thing and having a US Copyright lawyer behind you can help if you need to fight against someone stealing your work. Copyright lawyers must stay current in recent rulings dealing with copyright issues, which mean they know their job. Don't just stick with a lawyer you already had because you've used them before. They may have been great at your car accident or your divorce, but for copyright issues, you need a lawyer who deals with copyright laws. A US copyright attorney can also help you to retrieve money, even if you never filed the copyright until after it was stolen or online. This can get a bit tricky to prove, however if you have a good lawyer, this shouldn't be a problem.

A US copyright lawyer can help you copyright your work; it costs $20 to file a paper to get the copyright on your work. This does not mean there is a one time fee of $20 and all your work is safe. Y must do this with all your work. You are paying per piece. In the future if you need to sue someone for using your content, the violators can end up paying $35,000. A US copyright lawyer can help you with this if you live in the United States.

Your US copyright lawyer may have dealt with people stealing content, or maybe celebrity pictures. Recently a big name celebrity had her pictures leaked on the Internet. She sued the people who were spreading them, and it suddenly stopped. All those websites that had the pictures on them were asked politely to take them down since they were copyrighted. That's what a good US copyright lawyer will do; he/she will be able to prove their case because they know the law. They will have to show proof of when something was taken, said, or documented. In the case of pictures, she was able to show she had the proofs and she had no agreement for anyone to use them.

Copyright laws have been changing since 1976; however, copyright laws change as our technology advances. Lawyers and judges know our needs and are learning every day how to protect them and in order to do that laws are passed and the copyright laws are updated. Granted laws may be different in other countries but the chances are if it happens on US soil, the best representative would be a US copyright lawyer because they have been studying ever since law school. Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com ]]>