Introduction+to+Copyright

= // __Introduction to Copyright Basics__ //  = // from [|copyrightkids.org] //

=   =

** What is Copyright? **
 Copyright is a form of protection given to creators of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works. More specifically, as the author of original work, you maintain the right to do any of the following or to let others do any of the following:     In general, it is illegal for anyone to use your original work in any of above manner without your [|permission]. However, there are some exceptions and limitations to your rights as a [|copyright holder]. One major limitation is the doctrine of “[|Fair Use],” discussed below. The current laws governing copyright, Copyright Act of 1976 (as amended), is codified in Title 17 of the U.S. Code. Congress = = = Why Should I Care About Copyright? = = =  When you create something, aren't you proud of your work when you spend a lot of time and energy creating it? How about that social studies report you finally finished, that poem for your Mom that made her smile, that cool logo you came up with for your soccer team, the great song you wrote for the school play, or even your journal that you don't "have" to do but you enjoy it so much and it's special to you? Well, all these are your creations and you'd probably be pretty upset if someone just copied any of them without your permission. That's where copyright comes in. Copyright law gives you a set of rights that prevents other people from copying your work and doing other things with your work that you may not like.  As the creator of your work, you should have the right to control what people can and cannot do with your work. In the United States - one of the world's biggest sources of creative works like movies, television shows, books, computer games, etc. -- this right to control your work has actually turned into big business, but that's what allows all the creative people around us to get paid for coming up with all the wonderful songs, shows, books, painting, movies and other great works that we enjoy. Just think of all the cool songs your favorite band wrote, the great books you loved reading, the plays, movies and television shows you love to watch again and again. These talented musicians, authors, illustrators and screenwriters deserve our respect and appreciation - and they deserve to make a living from the hard work they put into their creative works -- otherwise most of them wouldn't be able to produce as many (or any) of the songs, books, plays, movies and TV shows that you like. That's what copyright is all about. It reflects our appreciation for all the hard work that goes into creating "original works of authorship" and respect for the right of the creator of that work to control what people can and cannot do with it.
 *  make copies of your work;
 *  <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> distribute copies of your work;
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> perform your work publicly (such as plays, film, dances or music);
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> display your work publicly (such as for artwork, or stills from audiovisual works, or any material used on the Internet or television); and
 * <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> make “[|derivative works]” (including making modifications, adaptations or other new uses of a work, or translating the work to another media).