Copyright FAQs

 

Copyright FAQs

A.   Copyright Basics FAQ

1.     What types of creative work does copyright protect?

2.     Does copyright protect an author's creative ideas?

3.     How long does a copyright last?

B.   Copyright Protection: What It Is, How It Works

1.     What role does a copyright notice play?

2.     What is a valid copyright notice?

3.     When can I use a work without the author's permission?

C.   Copyright Ownership: Who Owns What?

1.     What are the exceptions to the rule that the creator of a work owns the copyright?

2.     Who owns the copyright in a joint work?

3.     Can two or more authors provide contributions to a single work without being considered a joint authors for copyright purposes?

4.     What rights do copyright owners have under the Copyright Act?

5.     Can a copyright owner transfer some or all of his specific rights?

D.   Copyright Registration and Enforcement

1.     Why should I register my work with the U.S. Copyright Office?

2.     How do I register a copyright?

3.     How are copyrights enforced? Is going to court necessary?

E.    Videotaping for the Classroom

F.    Copyrighting Your Software

G.   Copyright Law Changes That May Affect You

Fair Use

A.   What Is Fair Use?

1.     Comment and Criticism

2.     Parody

B.   Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors

1.     The Transformative Factor: The Purpose and Character of Your Use

2.     The Nature of the Copyrighted Work

3.     The Amount and Substantiality of the Portion Taken

4.     The Effect of the Use Upon the Potential Market

5.     The "Fifth" Fair Use Factor: Are You Good or Bad?

C.   Summaries of Fair Use Cases

1.     Cases Involving Text

2.     Artwork and Audiovisual Cases

3.     Internet Cases

4.     Music Cases

5.     Summaries of Parody Cases

D.   Disagreements Over Fair Use: When Are You Likely to Get Sued?

The Public Domain

A.   Welcome to the Public Domain

1.     Expired Copyright

2.     The Renewal Trapdoor

3.     Dedicated Works

4.     Copyright Does Not Protect Certain Works

B.   Public Domain Trouble Spots

1.     Multi-Layered Works

2.     Public Domain Works That are Modified

3.     Works Protected by Trademark Law

4.     Works Protected in Other Countries

5.     Compilations

6.    Works First Published Outside the U.S.

Introduction to the Permissions Process

A.   Permission: What Is It and Why Do I Need It?

B.    The Basics of Getting Permission

1.      Determine If Permission Is Needed

2.    Identify the Owner

3.    Identify the Rights You Need

4.    Plan Ahead for Permissions

5.     Negotiate Whether Payment Is Required

6.    Get It in Writing

C.    Overview of Intellectual Property Laws

D.   Permission Tools: Licenses and Releases

1.      Licenses, Permissions and Clearances

2.    Releases

E.    How to Start the Process

1.      Whether Permission Is Necessary

2.    What Types of Work You Are Using

3.    How You Plan to Use the Work

Copyright © 2007 Nolo (Stanford University)