Unlike other forms of intellectual property that require registration, copyright does not depend on administrative procedures. A work is considered protected by copyright as soon as it is created. According to international copyright conventions (particularly the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works), literary and artistic works are protected without the need for any procedures in the member countries of these conventions. Therefore, there is no unified international system for registering copyright that applies across different countries.
However, many countries have national copyright management agencies, and some national laws allow the registration of works for purposes such as identification and distinguishing the titles of works. In some countries, registration may also serve as initial evidence in copyright disputes.
Exclusive rights granted include:
- The original author of a work is protected by copyright, which grants them exclusive rights to use or authorize others to use the work under agreed-upon terms. The author of a work can prohibit or permit:
- Reproduction in various forms, such as printing or recording.
- Initial distribution to the public through sales and the transfer of ownership in physical copies.
- Rental of copies (for computer programs, recordings, and audiovisual works).
- Public performance, such as a play or musical work.
- Copying, for example, onto CDs, cassettes, or video tapes.
- Broadcasting, through radio, cable, and satellite.
- Translation from the original language into other languages or adaptation, such as turning a novel into a screenplay.
Many creative works protected by copyright require significant distribution, promotion, and financial investment (e.g., publications, recordings, or films). Therefore, authors often transfer (license) their rights for their works to individuals or companies with the best marketing capabilities for those works in exchange for compensation. These compensation amounts are typically contingent on the actual use of the works and are commonly referred to as licensing fees.
Copyrights have a finite duration, generally lasting 50 years after the author’s death. National laws may provide for longer terms. This duration allows the author and their heirs to benefit financially for a specific period. Copyright protection also includes moral rights (spiritual rights) related to the right to be identified as the author of the work and the right to object to changes in the work that could affect the author’s reputation.
Authors or copyright owners of works can enforce their rights through administrative procedures and in court by inspecting production facilities to gather evidence of copyright infringement or the unlawful production related to the protected work. Owners can obtain court orders to stop the aforementioned actions and may seek compensation for financial damages or recognition.
