{"id":20590,"date":"2022-06-10T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T13:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.openbusinesscouncil.org\/?p=20590"},"modified":"2022-06-10T13:21:15","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T13:21:15","slug":"6-tips-that-will-help-you-understand-the-rules-of-copyright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.footballthink.com\/6-tips-that-will-help-you-understand-the-rules-of-copyright\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips That Will Help You Understand the Rules Of Copyright"},"content":{"rendered":"
Did you know that every time you write something, whether it\u2019s a poem, a song, an article, or even just a grocery list, you automatically own the copyright to that work? Copyright is the legal protection given to creators of original intellectual property. It gives the author exclusive rights over their work, including the right to reproduce, distribute and sell it.<\/strong><\/p>\n But what does that mean for you as an artist or creator? Knowing and understanding the basics of copyright law is essential for any artist or creator. Here are six tips that will help get you started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as you create something original, it is automatically copyrighted. You don\u2019t need to register your work or put a copyright symbol on it for it to be protected. However, there are some benefits to registering your copyright with the US Copyright Office, including the ability to sue for damages if your work is infringed.<\/p>\n Copyright protects your creative works, including things like books, music, paintings, and sculptures. It does not protect ideas or facts. So, if you have an idea for a book, you can\u2019t copyright that idea. But once you put that idea into a tangible form, like writing it down or recording it, then you have your legal rights<\/strong><\/a> protected and can stop others from using it without your permission. Just make sure to have a reliable legal representative on hand to help you navigate these waters.<\/p>\n Copyright and trademark are two different things. Copyright protects your creative work from being copied without your permission. Trademark protects words, phrases, logos, or other symbols that identify your brand from being used without your permission.<\/p>\n For example, Coca-Cola has a trademark on its name and logo. If you tried to sell a drink called \u201cCoca-Cola,\u201d or with a similar logo, they could take legal action against you.<\/p>\n You can have both copyright and trademark protection for the same work. For example, the Harry Potter books are copyrighted, and the phrase \u201cHarry Potter\u201d is trademarked.<\/p>\n Copyright does not last forever. For works created after January 1, 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. After that, the work enters the public domain and can be used by anyone without permission from the copyright holder.<\/p>\n There are also some limitations to what can be copyrighted. Ideas, facts, and government works are not protected by copyright. Nor are works that are considered \u201cfair use,\u201d like criticism, commentary, news reporting, or parody.<\/p>\n On the other hand, trademarks can last forever, as long as you continue to use them.<\/p>\n If you want to use someone else\u2019s copyrighted work, you need to get their permission first. This is true even if you are only using a small part of the work, or if you are using it for a non-profit purpose.<\/p>\n There are some exceptions to this rule, like fair use or using work for educational purposes, but it\u2019s always best to err on the side of caution and get permission before using someone else\u2019s work.<\/p>\n You can find contact information for copyright holders in the work itself or on the internet. The US Copyright Office also has a database of copyright holders that you can search.<\/p>\nKnow that copyright protection is automatic<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Understand the difference between copyright and trademark<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Be aware of the limitations of copyright protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Get permission before using someone else\u2019s work<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Be careful when posting your work online<\/strong><\/h2>\n