Copyright and Its Importance

Copyright is "the exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and authorize others to do the same."

Note: This is for educational purposes and is not considered legal advice.

When we talk about copyright the subject can become complicated or tedious but I am here to tell you that it should not be. That is why I will provide you with essential data that you may find interesting through this article.

1. A work is copyrighted as soon as it becomes tangible. Be it a painting, song (we will go into more details shortly), poem, thesis, etc., when it becomes something tangible, it is technically copyrighted.

2. Library of Congress. This is the entity that is in charge of applying or officially placing the copyright to the work. It is not necessary but I recommend it.

3. Copyright in Music. This is interesting yet very confusing for some. When you record a song, you may be creating two works that are protected by copyright: a musical work and a sound recording.

A sound recording and the music, lyrics, words, or other content included in the recording are separate copyright-protected works. These works are subject to different rules and are commonly owned and licensed separately.

• A musical work is a song’s underlying composition along with any accompanying lyrics. Musical works are usually created by a songwriter or composer.

• A sound recording is a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds fixed in a recording medium, such as a CD or digital file, called a “phonorecord.” Sound recordings are created by the performer and the producer of the recording.

4. Using Someone Else’s Work. Being inspired by others’ work is intrinsic to the creative process. Musicians often use other works to create new compositions, public performances, and recordings. It’s important not to assume that you can freely use other works. Here are some important copyright principles to keep in mind.

Generally, to use the sound recordings or musical works of another artist, you must:

• Use work that is already in the public domain.

• Get permission from the copyright holder directly, or license the work according to the terms set by the licensing contract.

• Rely on a statutory limitation to the exclusive rights, such as fair use or the section 115 license for musical works.

Well, this is all from me, for more information join the mailing list to stay up to date on all new posts. For details in regards to copyright visit www.copyright.gov