Does copyright protection or matters that do with it confuse you? Then do not worry too much because you are not alone. The laws that govern copyright issues the world over that are famously known as copyright laws are very old and complicated to many individuals who are green when it comes to matters law. However, due to the interdependence of different economic sectors, some fundamental principles can help an individual when and how, their artistic, literary and musical material is subject to protection from the copyright society. Let us look at some of the tips that can help one when they are filling for copyrights.
Tips when filing for copyrights
Notice of copyright
When you have a piece that you have created, be it a song, book, picture or video, it is always advisable that you put a copyright notice on it, more especially before you give access or send it to someone else. The notice should have your name and date written on it. Even though some laws can restrict the time of appearance of such a notice, but it is still a good idea that anything that comes from you has such a motion, since this will warn people that the work that is on presentation entirely belongs to you.
Although if you are an employee of a particular government, your publications will not be copyrighted, hence it is very hard for you as a government worker to claim any copyright on them.
Copyright material
In this section, you will need to learn a few basic but important principles. It is not possible for anybody to lay a claim of copyright on an idea or fact that has familiar designs or symbols. This include, L, K or a smiley face. The only work that you can copyright is that which is original, that which shows that there is minimal creativity in it, and that which has a fixed connection to a tangible form of expression that one can be able to see or hear.
Rights acquired
When you have a copyright, it simply means that you control all the use and any copying that is made from your creative work. You have all the rights and get all the benefits that come from its distribution, display, or any other performance that comes from the original work. When you are a copyright owner, you will also have a right to all works that are derived from the original work. This can include works like a book or novel being adapted for a movie, or when a song is reinterpreted.
Transferring rights
Once one has had the copyright authority, they are at liberty, at their discretion to transfer their exclusive rights or some portion of it to another person. But the law requires that, before the transfer is legally recognized, the transfer must be in writing, and it should bear your original signature. You can also rent out your work by giving out your license.
International protection
There is nothing like international copyright protection. Whether your copyright will be protected in another country, entirely depends on the laws that govern copyrights in that particular country. But in recent times, most countries are entering into treaties to protect intellectual properties that originate from other countries.
