What is the copyright law for print media?

Answer 1

Magazine publishing is subject to the same copyright laws as all other publications. However, there are some specific issues that relate specifically to magazines. These are just a few, not all. 1. Magazines usually copyright each issue as a collection. This is a separate copyright from the individual copyrights on individual articles. 2. Who owns the copyright on an individual story depends on the wording of the contract. Free-lancers usually own the copyright for their articles, and the magazine "buys" the story/article for a specific limited period of time, for which they pay a royalty fee. Articles written by staff members usually belong to the publisher. Recent case law also requires that publishers specifically buy the rights to put the articles written by free-lancers in electronic archives. That right would be expressed in the publishing contract. Free lance articles may be paid by the word or by the article, but even if there is no fee paid (as sometimes happens with articles in non-profit organizations' magazines), the copyright is still owned by the author unless the contract states otherwise. 3. Republication rights for free-lancers' articles usually revert to the author more quickly than book publishers. This depends on the individual contract. For more information, read "Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law" by Jonathan Kirsch, the most accessible book on the subject for someone not versed in the law. Elise Dee Beraru Published Author and California attorney now residing, but not practicing law, in Lynchburg, Virginia

Answer 2

Magazine covers may include many different types of copyrightable expression including literary works, graphic arts, photographs, etc. They are all copyrighted like any other such works. To simplify registration of copyrights, the US Copyright office even offers special forms and procedures for periodicals, such as magazines.

In other words, you need to assume that everything on a magazine cover (and inside) is copyrighted, unless you know that the copyright has expired (older than 1923), or the magazine cover is authored by the US Government and therefore has no copyright.

Answer 3

In terms of materials created by the media, copyright would be owned by the "creator," which can be an individual author or photographer, or a publisher if a "work-made-for-hire" agreement was made.

In terms of materials used by the media, they would need permission to use others' materials, unless such use is exempted in the law (such as small excerpts from books used in book reviews).

Answer 4

The contract between the advertiser and the magazine should spell this out.

Answer 5

The Copyright Term Extension Act extended protection for magazines for an additional 20 years, to 95 total.

Answer 6

Works are protected for the life of the author plus 50 years in most countries; the US and some others have extended this to life plus 70 years.