What Is Copyright?
Copyright is a statutory right that allows the owner of a unique work to govern its use, distribution, duplicate, and sale for a confined time. It protects creative works like books, music, films, software programs, and paintings against unauthorised use while allowing creators to gain the rewards of their work.
Types Of Copyright
- Literary Works: Books, articles, poems, novels, and computer applications.
- Dramatic Works: Plays, screenplays, and scripts for performance.
- Musical Works: Compositions, melodies, and musical notations (no lyrics).
- Artistic Works: Paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and architectural works.
- Cinematograph Films: Movies, documentaries, and video content, including visual narratives.
- Sound Recordings: Sound recordings of songs, speeches, or any recorded sound.
Rights Of Copyright Owner
- Right to Reproduce: Right to reproduce and copy the work.
- Right to Distribute: Right to distribute, sell, or rent copies of the work.
- Right to Adapt: To change, translate, or make derivative works.
- Right to Public Performance: Absolute rights to perform the work publicly, e.g., plays or music.
- Right to Broadcast: Right over broadcasting the work through television, radio, or the internet.
- Moral Rights: The moral right to authorship and protection of distortion of work.
Copyright Law In India
- Duration: Works of literature, drama, music, and art are protected for the life of the author plus 60 years after death.
- Fair Use: Limited copyrighted material is permitted for education, research, and criticism without infringement.
- Infringement Penalties: Unauthorised use can be punished with imprisonment and fines as per the Act.
- Cyber Security: Reforms are directed towards digital rights management and piracy issues.
Key Takeaways
Copyright is a legally vested right that protects work against use without authorisation. It confers all the proprietary rights of reproduction, distribution, modification, and public performance upon authors. Literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and cinematograph films, as well as sound recordings, are forms of copyrighted work. In India, the Copyright Act of 1957 grants protection for 60 years of the creator.
