How do you use copyright?

Answer 1

Copyright gives the creator of a work the exclusive right to copy, alter, distribute, or perform/display a work, or authorize others to do so, for a limited time. Once that time has expired, the work enters the public domain and can be used by anyone, for any purpose, without permission.

Answer 2

It depends what side of the equation you are on. If you are a content creator, you rely on copyright law to allow you to protect and monetize your works. If you are a content user, you use exemptions in the law for certain unlicensed uses, and you go to the rightsholder for licenses for everything else.

Answer 3

At its most basic level, copyright is about respecting creators and acknowledging the value of their hard work. It easy to work within the law by only copying, altering, distributing, or performing/displaying works that are wholly yours or for which you have permission.

Answer 4

When you're creating something, copyright prevents you from using others' materials without permission or an exception in the law. When you've created something, copyright prevents others from using it without your permission or an exception in the law.

Answer 5

When a work of sufficient originality is fixed in a tangible medium, it is automatically protected by copyright. This gives the creator the exclusive right to copy, alter, distribute, or perform/display the work, or authorize others to do so, for a limited time. Much of the law consists of exceptions and limitations to these rights, however.

Answer 6

Protection is automatic as soon as a work of sufficient originality is fixed in a tangible medium.

The process of formal registration varies, but generally consists of a form, a fee, and a deposit of the work with some centralized organization. Unlike the patent process, there is no examination.