What Is Copyright Law?

The United States’ Copyright Law provides complete protection for “original works of authorship.” With the declared goal of promoting art and culture, copyright law grants writers the following exclusive rights:

• to make and sell copies of their works;
• to develop derivative works;
• and to publicly perform or display their works.

Copyrighted works include the following:

• Works of literature (books and magazines)
• Musical compositions
• Theatrical works (movies, plays, and television shows)
• Pantomimes and works choreographed
• Sculptural, graphic, and pictorial works (paintings, photographs, sculptures)
• Works of audiovisual art
• Sound recordings
• Works of architecture
• Software for Computers (the literal code and the structure, sequence, and organization of a program)

These exclusive rights are limited in duration, typically expiring 70 years after the author’s death or 95 years after publication.

How Copyrighting Works

When someone makes a unique product that requires significant mental effort to create, that product becomes an intellectual property that must be protected from unlawful duplication.

Computer software, art, poetry, graphic design, musical lyrics and compositions, novels, cinema, creative architectural designs, and website content are all examples of unique works. Copyright is one precaution that can legally protect original work.

A work is considered original under copyright law if the author generated it via independent thought devoid of duplication. This work style is referred to as Authorial Work (OWA). Anyone who creates an original work of authorship automatically owns the copyright to that work, preventing it from being used or reproduced by others. The original owner may register the copyright voluntarily if they wish to gain an advantage in the legal system if the need arises.

Not all works are copyrighted. To be copyrighted, an original work must exist in tangible form. This means that for speech, discoveries, musical scores, or ideas to be protected by copyright, they must be written in physical form.

In the United States, copyright laws protect original owners for the duration of their life, up to 70 years after their death. If the copyrighted material’s original creator is a business, the copyright protection period will be reduced.

What Is Not Protected by Copyright?

It is also essential to know what is not copyright protected. Numerous types of material are often not covered by federal copyright laws:

Unfixed works, such as choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded

Improvised statements or performances that have not been written or recorded

Titles, names, abbreviations, and slogans; well-known symbols or designs; minor modifications in typographic ornamentation, writing, or coloring; minor ingredient or content listings

Description, explanation, or example, ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices

Works wholly composed on publicly available material and lack original authorship, such as standard calendars, height, and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, and lists or tables derived from public papers or other publicly available sources.

About Copyright Laws

Copyright is a legal term that refers to the protection of expressive arts. Copyrights grant owners the exclusive right to reproduce, publicly exhibit, and perform their work and create derivative works based on their work.

Additionally, copyright holders have the sole right to profit monetarily from their work and prevent others from profiting from it without their consent. A critical aspect to remember is that copyrights do not protect ideas; they protect the manner in which ideas are communicated.

Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement occurs when material protected by copyright is used or produced without the owner’s permission. Copyright infringement occurs when a third party violates the copyright holder’s rights, such as the exclusive use of a work for a specified period.

Music and film are two of the most popular entertainment genres subject to widespread copyright infringement. Contingent liabilities may result from infringement cases, which are funds set aside in anticipation of prospective litigation.

Third parties may obtain authorization to use those works via licensing agreements or by purchasing them directly from the copyright holder.

Several considerations, however, may motivate third parties to commit copyright infringement. There are various reasons for this, including a high price for the authorized work or a lack of supply.

Concerns Regarding Copyright Infringement

While copyright infringement difficulties have changed over the years, with rapid technological advancements, the Copyright Office has confronted an increasing number of issues in an attempt to keep up with innovation.

Internet

The Internet’s expanding relevance has generated new hurdles for copyright holders. It is now easier than ever for businesses worldwide to access copyrighted materials. The development of new technologies has surpassed the legal environment’s ability to ensure that copyright protection applies to new formats.

Technology

Modern technology makes it relatively easy to replicate a product or piece of information, and some businesses generate a significant portion of their revenue by copying what other businesses have done. The Copyright Office responded by establishing the Copyright Modernization Office in 2018. The division is in charge of coordinating IT (information technology) modernization programs to update both the Copyright Office and the Library of Congress.

Photographs and other visual materials

With advancements in digital imaging, copying an image has become easier than ever. The Copyright Office has been made aware of numerous copyright issues by photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers over the last few years.

Global Issues

Copyright infringement and the accompanying laws governing protection vary by jurisdiction, with varying levels of recourse and protection. It can be challenging to establish copyright ownership internationally, and domestic courts may view enforcement of copyright claims by overseas firms as a threat to national output.

Specific multinational organizations, such as the European Union, make an effort to maintain their member countries’ legislation and enforcement guidelines as consistent as feasible.

Dealing with Litigation Over Copyright? Our Copyright Attorneys Can Help

Our expertise in copyright litigation is unmatched. Our Washington IP law attorneys are familiar with the complicated and developing challenges that arise when new technologies are used in conjunction with copyrighted works.

Our copyright attorneys are adept at picking up new and unfamiliar technology and reducing their operation into narratives easily understood by judges and juries. Clients vary from some of the world’s largest media conglomerates to the most disruptive start-ups reimagining how content is distributed.

War IP Law PLLC has successfully defended clients in some of the most high-profile cases in recent history, establishing new laws in areas such as the first sale doctrine, reproduction and content distribution rights, and fair use.

Contact a Washington DC Copyright Attorneys Today

Whenever you have questions about intellectual property, you should consult with an experienced Washington, D.C. IP Attorney at War IP Law, PLLC. We will take the time to answer your questions and, if needed, can take immediate action for you to protect your IP and defend against infringement claims. Call us today for a consultation.