DO I ALWAYS NEED PERMISSION TO COPYOR PUBLICLY EXPLOIT COPYRIGHT MATERIAL?
No, there are certain exceptions to the rights given to the
creator of the material. For example, limited use of works is
allowed for research and private study, criticism or review,
reporting current events, judicial proceedings and teaching in
schools.
HOW DO I GET PERMISSION TO EXPLOIT
COPYRIGHT MATERIAL?
Normally by approaching the copyright owner, but there are
several organisations which act collectively for groups of
copyright owners in respect of particular rights; they may offer
‘blanket’ licences to users. Further information is available
from the sources given at the end of this leaflet.
DO I HAVE TO MARK MY WORK IN ANY WAY
TO CLAIM COPYRIGHT?
Although some countries require that a work be marked with
the international © mark followed by the name of the
copyright owner and year of publication, this is not essential in
the UK. However, marking in this way may assist in
infringement proceedings within the UK and will be needed in
certain foreign countries.
HOW CAN I PROVE ORIGINALITY IN MY WORK?
Ultimately this is a matter for the courts to decide. However, it
may help a copyright owner to deposit a copy of his work with
a bank or solicitor or send a copy of his work to himself by
registered post, leaving the envelope unopened on its return;
this will establish that the work existed at this time.
WHO OWNS COPYRIGHT?
The general rule is that the author is the first owner of
copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work. The
main exception is where such work is made in the course of
employment, in which case the employer owns the copyright.
The copyright in films, sound recordings, broadcasts and
published editions belongs to the film or record producer,
broadcaster or publisher.
WHAT CAN I DO IF MY WORK IS USED
WITHOUT MY PERMISSION?
Although you are not obliged to do so, it will usually be
sensible to try to resolve the matter with the party who has
infringed your copyright. Otherwise you will need to seek
redress in the Courts where injunctions and damages are
available. Legal advice may be needed.
ARE NAMES PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT?
No. There is no copyright in a name or a title.
ARE IDEAS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT?
No. Although the work itself may be protected, the idea behind
it is not.
WILL MY MATERIAL BE PROTECTED OVERSEAS?
Usually, but not invariably. The UK is a member of several
international conventions in this field, notably the Berne
Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and
the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC). Copyright material
created by UK nationals or residents is protected in each
member country of the conventions by the national law of that
country. Most countries belong to at least one of the
conventions including all of the Western European countries,
the USA and Russia. A full list of the Conventions and their
member countries may be obtained from the DTI.
Exercises
Part 1
· WHAT KIND OF MATERIAL DOES COPYRIGHT PROTECT?
- WHAT ABOUT COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND MATERIAL STORED IN COMPUTERS?
Date: 2015-12-24; view: 774
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