Why is copyright important?

Content creators – such as authors, musicians and artists, invest their own time, resources, blood, sweat and tears to get their work published. It’s not that they don’t want us to enjoy it; after all, that is why they created it right? All they ask is that they get the deserved credit for their work and are able to earn a living from it if they wish.

Copyright gives them this right.

From a content user’s perspective, copyright provides us with a set of guidelines that enable us to access and share published material in a way that is fair and acceptable.

 Basic Principles

  1. Copyright applies automatically when something is created
  2. The © is only a reminder and not a requirement
  3. Everything that is created is protected by copyright, including:-
    • Print material – books, journals, magazines, newspapers;
    • Computer Programmes;
    • Dramatic performances – plays, choreography, film scripts;
    • Music – compositions, sheet music, performances;
    • Art – drawings, paintings, maps, charts, diagrams and much more;
    • Page layouts
  1. Copyright lasts beyond the author’s lifetime … lifetime plus 70 years

 For more details on copyright click here.