software copyright http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for software copyright Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:23:09 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/software+copyright The Programmer's Guide To Understanding The Software Copyright Act http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-programmers-guide-to-understanding-the-software-copyright-act http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-programmers-guide-to-understanding-the-software-copyright-act#comments Sun, 29 Jul 2007 17:14:58 +0000 software copyrightdigital millennium copyright actpirate softwarecopyright statementopen source softwarebought softwaresoftware developers http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-programmers-guide-to-understanding-the-software-copyright-act Software Copyright Act, better known as the , has given more power to protect their works. If you've in the last few years I'm sure you've noticed some of the changes in the software buying process.

Some of the more noteworthy achievements of this Act are the following:

1) It is now a crime to break any anti-piracy measures in the software.

2) It is no longer legal to make, sale, or give away software or devices that were invented for the purpose of cracking codes enabling the illegal copying of software.

3) Limits the liability that ISPs (as far as copyright infringement violations) when information is transmitted online.

Most people don't want to . Most of us by nature want to do the right thing. The problem lies in educating people that it is stealing when you bootleg, pirate, illegally download, or acquire copies of software that you didn't pay for. It's one of those "white lie" types of crimes for most people, and they don't see how it will hurt anyone to copy a game from a brother, cousin, uncle, or friend. Someone paid for it, after all. The problem is if 10 million people are duplicating software at $50 or more per copy, the loss of software royalties and profits are staggering. The Software Copyright Act seeks to protect businesses from losing money this way and curtail illegal downloading of copyrighted music and software.

A Software Protects Current and Future Works

If you have a site dedicated to sharing and distributing , it is a wise decision to have a software copyright statement that explains the limits of use for your software, as well as the limits of your responsibility for those who use your software. I also recommend getting an attorney to look over the statement before posting it just to be sure there are no legal issues that you may be unaware of.

A software copyright statement doesn't have to be a 10 page booklet on the law or the protections that copyright offers; it should be a simple short paragraph stating the basics and protecting you from litigation and/or responsibility. Your software copyright statement should also establish your ownership of the material.

A software copyright statement is only part of the process required to protect your software; it is also a significant deterrent to those who would abuse your copyright and/or your kindness to use and distribute your software. Even if you are charging people for the use of your software, you still need to protect the labor you have put into making not only the software but the distribution method, the website, the payment method and the thousands of other things that are part and parcel of the business model for your software distribution.

Most software developers, coders, and programmers aren't as concerned nearly as much about associating their name with the products they create. They also want to protect future potential income from their software. By protecting all your work with a software copyright statement you are not only protecting current works, but also future works as well. 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 Software Copyright Laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-software-copyright-laws http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-software-copyright-laws#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:15:00 +0000 copyright lawssoftware copyrightsoftware developersroyaltiesbreachsoftware etcsoftware businesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-software-copyright-laws copyright laws are among the most difficult to enforce among the masses. Many companies and corporations are well known for overlooking these laws, which were designed to protect the creation of software from not earning their worth. Perhaps one of the biggest hitches why many go out of business is they have difficulty enforcing laws and getting money that is owed to them from end users.

, particularly in the corporate world, design software that makes other companies run more efficiently. The software allows these companies to save millions of dollars each year. Software copyright laws protect the interests of the software developers who create these massive programs. These expensive programs are designed specifically for that one company. The copyright and license agreement often consists of a certain number of users with the company purchasing more licenses or copies of the software during expansions or paying some sort of for the use of the software.

The purchasing companies agree to this and then often fail to honor that agreement. The agreement is what allows this company to use that software. When companies aren't living up to their end of this agreement, they are not only guilty of ing that agreement, but also of breaking software copyright laws. The trouble always lies in proving they are not honoring the contract and the extent and duration of the breach.

Some ways companies will argue, in defense of not paying the royalties, additional fees, purchasing additional software, etc. is they had upgraded computers and reused the old software (they did actually purchase the rights to use the original software and by doing so feel that they have broken no software copyright laws). The problem lies in the fact that adding ten new computers and placing the software on those should mean you remove it from or get rid of 10 old computers. This is rarely how it works. The truth is they've stolen ten copies of software which can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Multiply this by 10, 20, or 100 companies doing the same thing and the offending companies are costing software developers millions of dollars in profits. This is when software copyright laws are not as far reaching in their scope as they really need to be.

Software copyright laws exist to protect the software companies from this type of abuse and misuse; however, the hands of the companies are almost unilaterally tied when it comes to proving that software copyright laws have been broken in court.

There are always exceptions to every rule. In this case big business software developers that abuse the software copyright laws make the exceptions rather than consumers who do not pay for the products they are consuming. The big boys are able to do this by offering licenses for their software and claiming that these laws do not apply to their situation because they are not actually selling the software, but only "renting" out permission for people or companies to use that software. The true irony is that these practices began as a response to the corporate irresponsibility mentioned above. It's amazing the very software copyright laws that were created to protect these companies can't protect their consumers from the greed of the developing companies. 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. ]]> 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 ]]> How To Copyright And Patent Your Software http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-and-patent-your-software http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-and-patent-your-software#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:20:00 +0000 software patentpatent applicationspatentscopyright softwareundeniablylegal recoursetangible http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-copyright-and-patent-your-software copyright software, the good news is you've probably already done it. At least you have if you have ever written software. Most people get confused over exactly what having a copyright for their software means. Only those things that can be seen (when it comes to software) can be copyrighted. If you want to protect the abstract, look into . Otherwise if it is original, fixed, and you can copyright it. Essentially you already know how to copyright software if you've put it into a finished form. Once you've written the source code, the copyright belongs to you.

Copyrighting software doesn't offer the protection that many people hope it will. The idea of software and anything about the finished product that wasn't available in a tangible (visible) form isn't protected by copyright. In fact, the only thing protected by software copyright is the source code. The question you should ask yourself is not how to copyright software, but how to patent your software.

What Is A ?

A "software patent" has no universal understanding. In general, owning a patent allows a company certain rights (or exclusivity) for a prescribed amount of time. Individuals or corporations seeking a patent must apply for a patent in each country in which they wish to have one. Unlike copyrights, patents are not automatically granted to applicants and can take a while to be approved.

The growth of Internet business and e-commerce has led to many for software, particularly software designed for specific business applications. While the cases are granted and successfully tried and defended in some countries, other countries offer no enforcement or for those who do not honor the software patent, even if the patents were granted in those countries. The fine line between nations about what is and isn't patentable is another challenge to establish and honor patents.

Patents differ greatly from copyrights, which are issued automatically and recognized and enforced internationally. Copyrights protect the source code of software from being copied and registration is generally not required to protect your work.



Lately there is a new term, "Copyleft," which is an obvious play on words and represents the rights to not only redistribute the copyrighted works, but also to modify and freely distribute those modifications. This term is very much in the spirit of many open source types of software and music. The catch for copyleft protection is that the newly created work be distributed in the same manner and spirit in which it was received. In other words if you were freely given the software, then you must freely provide the improvements and modifications you made to that software.

One unfortunate circumstance surrounding patents is the unequal and obvious disparity between the haves and the have not's. Patent enforcement for software, unlike literature and music, is largely subjective. In literature and music, it is obvious that the copyright has been abused or that the work has been copied; this isn't as simple with software.

How to Obtain a Patent

To obtain a patent for your software, you must apply for a patent in each country that offers patents for software and in which you wish to have the protection a patent can offer. There is no universal legal definition of what a software patent is. Each country that offers patents also has a different definition for what is protected by that patent, as well as for why a patent will be granted. Also consider the fact your software may be given a patent in one country where you applied and none of the others.

Of course, if this is not enough fun for you, you can try to deal with the red tape involved in dealing with multiple governments to resolve any issues or disputes that may have arisen from your software patents.

If you are applying for international patents (which can secure a profitable future for you and your business), you need to find a good patent lawyer and have him walk you through the entire process. Patents are complicated. When you're not exactly sure of what you're doing, whom you need to talk to, and what the next step is, you stand to waste a lot of time while taking a bigger risk. It is much easier to deal with how to copyright software on your own than it is to work out the complicated world of software patents.

If this is your first time designing your own software, you have every right to be nervous. Remember: lawyers went to school much longer than you to know what to do in this situation, so you should not be expected to know how to copyright or patent software when you've never done it before. 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 15:32:03 +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. ]]> 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. ]]> 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. ]]> 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. ]]> CD Duplication - Basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/cd-duplication-basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/cd-duplication-basics#comments Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:27:04 +0000 cd rw driveexternal cd rwcd duplicationcomputer checklocal music storecd duplicatingfiles mp3 http://www.artwoo.com/article/cd-duplication-basics CD duplication (copying of CD's) has become very popular because it is really very easy to do and not expensive. It can also be a controversial issue with all the legal issues concerning copyright etc which you need to be aware of. The laws and regulations are complex and will vary from country to country and state to state - so you will need to check that out for yourself to be sure that you are not illegally. If you are using CD duplication for your own use and copying files from your computer or from CD's which belong to you then you need not concern yourself too much about this. If you make multi copies of a commercial CD for distribution to friends or more importantly for sale to the general public then you really must make sure you have the legal rights to do that.

The basics of CD duplication is simply the copying of one CD to another blank CD. The CD you are copying may be one you purchased from your (beware of copyright) or a CD lent to you by a friend. The CD can contain all sorts of stuff apart from music - pictures, movies, data files, mp3 files etc etc. CD duplication at home using simple software installed on your computer is very easy to do provided your computer is equipped with a CD-RW drive (if not then you can purchase an external CD-RW drive and connect it to your computer).

You will need special software to work with CD duplication from your computer but if your computer has a CD-RW drive then most likely you will find that your computer already has some basic software installed for working with CD's (if your purchase an external CD-RW drive then it will also come with software you can download to your computer) - check this out before buying any of the many software products available.

Most software is 'general purpose' in that it will allow you to duplicate many different types of file. However, with that type of software there is usually a level of compromise in terms of editing features available and quality of the duplicated material. If you are only interested in copying say music files, then you may wish to purchase software which will give lots of useful editing features and provide a better quality of duplicated content.

The same applies to blank CD's - some are more suitable for data files and others for music etc - so choose software and blank CD's carefully and seek advice if you are not sure. Also if you want to be able to edit or change the content on your duplicate CD at a later time then make sure you choose a CD-RW blank and not CD-R.

Beyond basic home based CD duplication, if you are a serious hobbyist or into CD duplication for commercial reasons then you may wish to consider some of the more specialised equipment and software available. For more information on CD Duplication visit http://www.aboutcdcopying.info/ ]]> 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 ]]> Copyright Infringement Lawsuits Affect Individuals And Businesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-lawsuits-affect-individuals-and-businesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-lawsuits-affect-individuals-and-businesses#comments Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:30:00 +0000 copyright infringementinfringement lawsuitsinfringement lawsuituniversal music groupemailyoutubeebay http://www.artwoo.com/article/copyright-infringement-lawsuits-affect-individuals-and-businesses copyright infringement lawsuit can occur for any number of reasons: someone using a song in a podcast or radio program, a writer "borrowing" information from another work, copying video or mp3 off the Internet without permission (or sometimes, even to another CD or DVD). Copyright s are not generally brought to the average person, unless they're downloading a LOT of music or movies, but usually for large operations: software pirates reselling goods on or to some other unsuspecting victim, someone "sampling" a song to make another, or maybe a person reselling mp3s online.

When you understand the implications of it, copyright infringement lawsuits aren't frivolous as some people think. For the most part, the average person's familiarity with a copyright infringement lawsuit is taking down copyrighted material after receiving a nasty .

If you use works from record albums by major recording stars (like Britney Spears or 50 Cent) to make a different recording as your own, then you can be sued for copyright infringement. Usually these suits will be lost because it's rather hard to prove inspiration, but they are rather costly and draining, especially if there isn't a large backing legal team.

Copyright infringement lawsuits for large enterprises can be costly and time consuming. If you work for someone, and you plagiarize someone on the company blog, the whole company can be sued, and you can be fired, for that infraction. Another large copyright infringement lawsuit is the eminent MySpace v. , who is claiming that MySpace is knowingly committing copyright infringement by allowing users to upload copyrighted material. Even then, Universal Music Group has been negotiating with MySpace and couldn't come to an agreement -- then they filed suit.

Universal Music Group has an agreement with , where YouTube agrees to follow Universal's rules. It's worked out well thus far, and I think with an agreement in place "user created content" will retain a destination on the Internet.

This is a testament we all need to be with social networking sites and `user created content.' We need to watch ourselves, because many times we may not realize the veracity of our actions.

Sometimes, people break copyright laws on purpose. There is a huge market for pirated software -- from Windows to Photoshop to The Sims. It's very easy to share peer-to-peer, and because of that, people can resell pirated copies for a high price -- all profit. Or they'll download MP3 and resell them; or eBooks. People who resell these items get nasty penalties -- with both copyright infringement lawsuits and criminal cases. They'll pay a hefty fine and go to jail.

Copyright infringement lawsuits can affect any one of us -- from our friends on MySpace to our employer, to the computer geek down the street. It's easy to violate copyrights, and you have to watch yourself. The chances are good that you won't be involved in a major copyright infringement lawsuit, but you still need to ensure you're following copyright laws.

Copyright infringement lawsuits are important to determine what is, and isn't, applicable to copyright laws. Because of these lawsuits, our laws have changed regarding Fair Use, Internet use, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation and CreativeCommons.com. The lawsuits help us to understand what is, and what isn't fair -- and these organizations have helped the masses to understand what's so important about copyright, and why we need to defend our freedom of speech. 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. ]]> 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. ]]> 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. ]]> 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. ]]> 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. ]]>