Copyright

  Introduction to Copyright

Copyright gives creators the freedom to decide what happens to their creations. You may use someone else’s work only if you have their permission by the copyright owner or if the law allows it. 

Copyright can seem complicated but at its heart it’s not. It’s simply a law which says that if you create something, then you own it. And as the owner you get to decide what happens to it

So if you’re a creator copyright automatically applies to, and protects, all your creative work. That means you are free to decide how other people can use your work, and means they need to ask your permission before using your work. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a “professional” or not, the law’s the same for everyone.

Copyright Protected:

Literary works – novels, song lyrics, newspaper articles, user manuals and exam papers

Dramatic works – ballet, plays and mime

Musical works – recorded original songs, advert or film soundtracks or instrumental music

Artistic works – paintings, drawings, engravings, photographs, sculptures, maps, diagrams, architecture and craftwork

Film – any moving image that can be reproduced, for example, cinema films, home videos or DVDs of television programmes

Typographical arrangements – a published edition of a literary, musical or dramatic work, for example a magazine design styling, film poster or book cover.

Broadcasts – transmitted images sounds or information that can be received by members of the public

Sound recordings – recordings of sounds that can be reproduced regardless of what they are made on (CD, MP3 or vinyl).