CopyrightThe legal means that provides the publisher of a work of art, or literature, the right to control his or her work.

Copyright Overview

Copyright has guidelines as what can or can’t be copyrighted. Fixation, originality, and minimal creativity has to meet standards to qualify for copyrighting. Also, public domain and fair use can not be copyrighted, with certain exceptions.

What can be copyrighted?

Fixation- the original works for copyrighting must be fixed in some way. Paper, computer disc, and video tape are examples of fixation.

What can be copyrighted

Originality- works must be original; however, they can be combined with other works.

What can be copyrighted?

Minimal creativity- the work must convey an idea that has not been introduced. A new concept must be introduced.

What can’t be copyrighted/

Works that are in the public domain cannot be copyrighted. Ideas and facts that are in the public domain cannot be copyrighted. Also, government works cannot be copyrighted. Exception: state employees and contractors can have their works copyrighted, if working on behalf of the state or federal government.

Fair use

Fair use is the most crucial limitation on the copyright holder’s exclusive rights. There are four measures when considering fair use.

Fair use

Copies of original works are not as likely to be considered fair use. To just simply use another’s ideas verbatim is not considered fair use.

Fair use

The work must be of significance to not be considered fair use. However, substantial alterations can deem a work fair use.

Fair use

Education and non-profit use of original work is very likely to be considered fair use.

Conclusion

Copyright protects publishers rights to copying. The work that is being published must be original to be protected under copyright. There are fixation, originality, and minimal creativity, which are tests that must be passed to be considered for copyrighting. Also, there is fair use, when considering copyrighting. Fair use states that original works can be copied, with substantial alterations, or if educators or non-profit agencies want to use a particular piece of work.

Resources

www.umuc.edu/library/copy.html