What is copyright, and what does it protect?

Copyright is a legal protection granted to the creators of original works, including literary, musical, artistic, and other intellectual creations. It protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself, giving the creator exclusive rights to use, distribute, and modify their work. Copyright covers works such as books, songs, movies, software, and more.

How long does copyright protection last?

In the United States, copyright protection typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For works created by corporations or works for hire, the duration is generally 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Copyright law can vary by jurisdiction, so it’s best to consult a legal expert for specific cases.

What constitutes copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses a copyrighted work without permission from the copyright holder. This includes reproducing, distributing, publicly displaying, or creating derivative works based on the copyrighted material. Infringement can lead to legal consequences, including fines, injunctions, or criminal charges in some cases

How can I legally use copyrighted material?

To legally use copyrighted material, you generally need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. However, some uses may qualify as “fair use,” allowing limited usage without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research. The fair use doctrine is nuanced, and its application depends on several factors, so it’s advisable to consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance.

How do I register a copyright, and is it necessary?

While copyright protection is automatic upon creation of a work in a fixed form, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional benefits, including the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in cases of infringement. Registration is a straightforward process involving an application, a fee, and a copy of the work. It’s often worth the effort to formally register, especially for commercially valuable works.

Copyrights | WW Partners

Utah Copyright Attorneys

In today’s digital world, there are many creative works and intellectual works that are available to the public. Copyright is more important now than ever because it is easier to copy or pirate the works of creatives. By implementing intellectual property laws, we help incentivize more people to create and propel our society forward. If creations are being stolen, modern advancements may slow to a stop.

If you are new to the creative community or the world of copyright laws, working with a lawyer can be beneficial. WW Partners offers insight on copyright and other intellectual property laws for companies and individuals. Learn more about copyright law so that your hard work is protected from harm.

What Is Copyright?

Copyright laws govern the ownership of creative works, inventions, and innovations. This legal protection allows the original creator to reproduce, distribute, and perform their work. If a person has a copyright on their creations, it can not be reproduced by another person or used without permission. These laws help give the most control to the creator and stop their work from benefiting someone else more than them.

Some items that can be copyrighted and are covered by intellectual property laws include:

Books
Articles
Blogs
Songs
Recordings
Paintings
Photography
Sculptures
Movies
TV shows
Plays
Computer programs
Applications
Video games

Keep Your Creative Works Protected With WW Partners

(801) 699-0059

Key Rights Of Copyright Holders

When you seek copyright protection for your works, you will ensure that no one else can get financial gain from your creation. If someone infringes on your copyright, you will be able to handle the dispute with grace and receive monetary compensation for what is rightfully yours.

When you have a valid copyright, here are the following rights you will receive.

Reproduction of the Work: Make copies of your original work to help sell more copies or special editions.
Distribute Copies: Once you recreate the work, you will be able to sell, rent, lease, or lend copies out to members of the public.
Publicly Perform: Perform music or plays in a public setting
Publicly Display: Display art, sculpture, or photograph in a gallery
Create Derivative Work: As the copyright holder, you can modify the original work (remix, adapt a book to a movie, or alternate colors in a design) to reach a new audience.

Fair Use And Exceptions To Copyright

Copyright law provides strong protections for the creator, but some exceptions don’t count as infringement. Fair use, is one of the exceptions that comes with copyrighted materials. Fair use is a legal doctrine that can change depending on the work and what it will be used for. Fair use will also take into account how the work will benefit the public/market it is being used.

Other exceptions to copyright laws include education, criticism and commentary, news reporting, and parody. Because these circumstances can benefit a consumer or the general public they are often exceptions to fines or legal action from the copyright owners. These well-known exceptions will allow you to complete your job without infringing on the monetary gain of the creator.

Does Copyright Carry Over Internationally?

Copyright protections can extend beyond national borders thanks to international agreements like the Berne Convention. In participating countries, creators are granted the same rights that they have in the U.S. Some copyright laws will vary between countries and your work may be able to be reproduced in other countries, without consequences.

Contact WW Partners for Copyright Law Counseling and Advocacy

Why Understanding Copyright Is Crucial In Today’s World

Whether you are a creator or want to use someone else’s work, understanding copyright law will save you from heartache later. Creators who seek copyright protection will be able to put in the hard work without fear of their work being stolen. For those who want to use creative works, the proper use of other works will show respect for the creators while helping you adhere to fair use principles.

Working with a legal team that knows about copyright law and fair use can help those in the creative industry. Musicians, artists, and writers can benefit from researching and learning about their rights. WW Partners offers services that have to do with intellectual property so that you can have peace of mind when creating. Our legal professionals will help you secure copyright so that all of your work is protected.

Client-Focused & Results-Driven

Common Copyright Law Questions

What is copyright, and what does it protect?

Copyright is a legal protection granted to the creators of original works, including literary, musical, artistic, and other intellectual creations. It protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself, giving the creator exclusive rights to use, distribute, and modify their work. Copyright covers works such as books, songs, movies, software, and more.
How long does copyright protection last?

In the United States, copyright protection typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For works created by corporations or works for hire, the duration is generally 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Copyright law can vary by jurisdiction, so it’s best to consult a legal expert for specific cases.
What constitutes copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses a copyrighted work without permission from the copyright holder. This includes reproducing, distributing, publicly displaying, or creating derivative works based on the copyrighted material. Infringement can lead to legal consequences, including fines, injunctions, or criminal charges in some cases
How can I legally use copyrighted material?

To legally use copyrighted material, you generally need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. However, some uses may qualify as “fair use,” allowing limited usage without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research. The fair use doctrine is nuanced, and its application depends on several factors, so it’s advisable to consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance.
How do I register a copyright, and is it necessary?

While copyright protection is automatic upon creation of a work in a fixed form, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional benefits, including the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in cases of infringement. Registration is a straightforward process involving an application, a fee, and a copy of the work. It’s often worth the effort to formally register, especially for commercially valuable works.