Copyright is a legal term that designates the exclusive right of an author or copyright holder over an original work, whether literary, artistic, or otherwise. This intellectual property right enables the author or rights holder to prohibit the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, modification, or use of their work.
Copyright is regulated by law and aims to protect the economic and moral interests of the author, as well as their right to recognition and authorship of the content. It’s important to note that copyright doesn’t protect abstract ideas or concepts, but rather the original, concrete form in which these ideas are expressed.
Copyright is automatically granted to the author as soon as the work is created, without the need for registration or deposit. However, it’s often advisable for authors to register with organizations specializing in copyright management.
Copyright applies to a wide range of works, including books, articles, songs, films, photographs, software, and graphic creations. Copyright has a limited duration, which varies from country to country and according to the type of material protected. It’s therefore recommended for authors to check with their national copyright office to find out about specific regulations.
In general, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus a certain number of years after their death. Once this period has expired, the work falls into the public domain and can be used freely by all. This period may be extended by certain legislation, particularly for collective works or companies.
Copyright is often confused with trademark and patent law. However, these intellectual property rights are distinct and aim to protect different aspects of intellectual creation. For example, trademark law protects trade names and logos used to identify companies and their products, while patent law protects technical inventions and innovations.
