Copyright

Copyright protects creative work (Literary, Dramatic, Artistic, Sound, and Film) by giving the creator the the exclusive right to use their own work. Copyright prevents anyone copying, broadcasting, renting, and adapting creative work.

Copyright work often is accompanied by a  ©  but it is not required.

How does a creative work become protected by copyright?

Copyright is automatic, you don’t need to apply for it. It usually lasts for seventy years after the author / creator has died. Once the copyright has expired the work goes into the public domain, this means anyone can use it freely.

Exceptions to Copyright Protection

Creative work protected by copyright law can be used for the following purposes: 

• Private research/study - A student may use a copyright image in a presentation for a school project
• Educational purposes - A teacher might use copyright content to help teach a concept
• Criticism - A Film reviewer might us a small clip from a film to help explain what they like / dislike about it
• Private back-ups - The owner of a DVD might create a digital copy of the disk incase the disk becomes damaged
• Satire - A comedian may satirise a TV show or Film.

These exceptions are called ‘fair dealings’ or ‘fair use’. These do not always all full use of a copyright work, for example: A reviewer cannot include a digital version of a whole film as a part of their review.

If you need to use someone else's creative work for any other purpose, you must ask their permission and a obtain  license to use it.

Consequences

Copyright law is a civil law, therefore those in breach do not end up in prison. Initially those in breach may be sent a cease and desist notice by the copyright owner, and if they do not comply they may be taken to court so that the copyright owner can claim damages.