Understanding Copyright: It's Not Just For Authors
PART ONE: WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A LAWYER OR A COPYRIGHT EXPERT. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED IN THE FOLLOWING POST ARE BASED SOLELY ON MY OWN RESEARCH AND DO NOT REPRESENT LEGAL ADVICE.
Video Transcript
Copyright is one of those topics that EVERYONE knows about, but very few actually understand. Often we equate copyright with the written word, specifically as it relates to books. However, it is much more than that and encompasses a wide range of mediums.
Let’s start to shed some light on this often confusing topic. Today’s post is the first in a series, where we will discuss what copyright is. This will set the stage for additional topics in the series that will cover topics such as important terms to be aware of, and a few misunderstandings surrounding it.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Each country has their own rules and regulations as it pertains to copyright, but there are many similarities between them. Since I reside in Canada, I will be sharing information on copyright from the Canadian perspective.
WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
To put it simply, copyright is the exclusive legal right to produce, reproduce, sell or license, publish or perform an original work. That means, other people need to ask for permission or provide payment to the creator of the work in order to copy or use it.
In Canada, your original creative or intellectual work is AUTOMATICALLY protected by copyright as soon as you create it.
WHAT CAN COPYRIGHT COVER?
In Canada there are different types of protection for the various kinds of intellectual property. Sometimes they can get confused, so let’s take a few moments to identify the differences between the ones which are most often confused.
- Trademarks: cover a word or combinations of words, sounds or designs that represents a person or organization.
- Patents: cover new and useful inventions
- Copyright: covers literary, artistic, dramatic or musical work.
Some specific examples of items covered by copyright would be:
- books
- web pages
- software coding
- photography
- paintings
- movies
- TV
- plays
- music
- recordings
HOW DO I COPYRIGHT MY WORK?
As was mentioned earlier, your original creative or intellectual work is automatically protected by copyright as soon as you create it.
This is the copyright symbol
The copyright symbol can be added to your work in order to indicate the protection afforded. It is not required to be placed on the copyrighted work in order for copyright to exist (in Canada). However, some countries do require the copyright symbol, the name of the copyright holder, and the year of first publication to be added. The symbol can be typed using your keyboard. On a MAC, you press Option-G and on a PC you hold the ALT key down while pressing 0169 on the 10-key keypad.
For added protection, you can register your work with the Canadian Intellectual Property office and they will issue a certificate of registration of copyright. This process does cost money though. Simply making application will run you about $50. For the list of various fees involved with this process you can see the list HERE.
This process is not required, but is simply an added layer of protection. It serves as evidence that an individual is the copyright holder if there ever ends up being a dispute.
HOW LONG DOES COPYRIGHT LAST?
Copyright, in Canada, lasts the lifetime of the creator and then 50 years following their death. Recently, Canada has made moves to adjust that timeline to get in line with other country’s copyright rules, which allow for protection up to 70 years following a creator’s death.
Following that time, the creative or intellectual work is considered to be part of the public domain, which means anyone can use it.
