Copyright is a legal right created by the law of a country that grants the creator of an original

work exclusive rights for its use and distribution. This is usually only for a limited time. The
exclusive rights are not absolute but limited by limitations and exceptions to copyright law,
including fair use. A major limitation on copyright is that copyright protects only the original
expression of ideas, and not the underlying ideas themselves.[1][2]
Copyright is a form of intellectual property, applicable to certain forms of creative work. Some,
but not all jurisdictions require "fixing" copyrighted works in a tangible form. It is often shared
among multiple authors, each of whom holds a set of rights to use or license the work, and who
are commonly referred to as rights holders.[3][4][5][6] These rights frequently include reproduction,
control over derivative works, distribution, public performance, and "moral rights" such as
attribution.[7]
Copyrights are considered "territorial rights", which means that they do not extend beyond the
territory of a specific jurisdiction. While many aspects of national copyright laws have been
standardized through international copyright agreements, copyright laws vary by country.[8]
Typically, the duration of a copyright spans the author's life plus 50 to 100 years (that is,
copyright typically expires 50 to 100 years after the author dies, depending on the jurisdiction).
Some countries require certain copyright formalities to establishing copyright, but most
recognize copyright in any completed work, without formal registration. Generally, copyright is
enforced as a civil matter, though some jurisdictions do apply criminal sanctions.
Most jurisdictions recognize copyright limitations, allowing "fair" exceptions to the creator's
exclusivity of copyright and giving users certain rights. The development of digital media and
computer network technologies have prompted reinterpretation of these exceptions, introduced
new difficulties in enforcing copyright, and inspired additional challenges to copyright law's
philosophic basis. Simultaneously, businesses with great economic dependence upon
copyright, such as those in the music business, have advocated the extension and expansion of
copyright and sought additional legal and technological enforcement.
Copywriting is the act of writing text for the purpose of advertising or other forms of marketing.
The product, called copy, is written content that aims to increase brand awarenessand
ultimately persuade a person or group to take a particular action.
Copywriters help
create billboards, brochures, catalogs, jingle lyrics, magazine and newspaper advertisements, s
ales letters and other direct mail, scripts for television or radiocommercials, taglines, white
papers and other marketing communications.
They are generally known as website content writers if their work appears mostly on the
Internet. A content writer helps create online advertisements, web
pages, email newsletters, blog posts and social media.
Cross discipline copywriters who look at the wider context of their work are called digital
copywriters.[1] The distinction is that these individuals consider the mechanics of the user
journey, the external links that are included in the copy for search engine optimisation and are
highly focussed towards creating online sales and dealing with technical issues such as bounce
rate.

What is Copyright Infringement?

Anyone who exploits any of the exclusive rights of copyright without the copyright owner's
permission commits copyright infringement. If a lawsuit is brought in a court, the infringer will
have to pay the copyright owner the amount of money the infringer made from using the work or
that the owner would have made if the infringement had not happened. If the copyright is
registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, the infringer may also have to pay copyright owner
what's called statutory damages -- an amount set by the judge that will usually be higher. In
addition, an infringer may be found guilty on criminal charges and have to pay criminal
penalties. Moreover, the infringer will also be stopped from making any further use of the work.

What is Copyright?

Did you know that whenever you write a poem or story or even a paper for your class, or a
drawing or other artwork, you automatically own the copyright to it. Copyright is a form of
protection given to the authors or creators of "original works of authorship," including literary,
dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works. What that means is that, as the author of
the work, you alone have the right to do any of the following or to let others do any of the
following:
- make copies of your work;
- distribute copies of your work;
- perform your work publicly (such as for plays, film, dances or music);
- display your work publicly (such as for artwork, or stills from audiovisual works,
or any material used on the Internet or television); and
- make “derivative works” (including making modifications, adaptations or other
new uses of a work, or translating the work to another media).
In general, it is illegal for anyone to do any of the things listed above with a work created by you
without your permission, but there are some exceptions and limitations to your rights as
a copyright holder. One major limitation is the doctrine of “Fair Use,” discussed below.

FAIR USE: "Fair use" is the right of the public to make reasonable use of copyrighted material in
special circumstances without the Copyright Owner's Permission. The United States Copyright
Act recognizes that fair use of a copyrighted work may be used "for purposes such as criticism,
comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research." Factors to be considered include
(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether the use is for a commercial purpose
or is for non-profit educational purposes; (2) what kind of work is the copyrighted work (for
instance, is it creative or factual); (3) the amount and importance of the portion used in relation
to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential commercial
market for or value of the copyrighted work. Whether or not a fair use has been made of a
copyrighted work is not always easy to determine and there have been many lawsuits to
determine whether or not a use is "fair." Where there is doubt about whether something qualifies
for the fair use exception, you should request a License from the Copyright Holder.
What is Intellectual Property?
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind,
such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and
symbols, names and images used in commerce.

IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable
people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By
striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public
interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation
can flourish.

Types of intellectual property

(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PROFESSOR25)

Copyright
Copyright is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary
and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings,
sculpture and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps and
technical drawings.

(IMAGE: CLIPART.COM)
Patents
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. Generally speaking, a patent
provides the patent owner with the right to decide how - or whether - the invention can
be used by others. In exchange for this right, the patent owner makes technical
information about the invention publicly available in the published patent document.

(IMAGE: WIPO/GEN A)

Trademarks
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise
from those of other enterprises. Trademarks date back to ancient times when craftsmen
used to put their signature or "mark" on their products.

(IMAGE: COURTESY OF MIHAIL STAMATI)

Industrial designs
An industrial design constitutes the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article. A
design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an
article, or of two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color.

(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MATTJEACOCK)
Geographical indications
Geographical indications and appellations of origin are signs used on goods that have a
specific geographical origin and possess qualities, a reputation or characteristics that
are essentially attributable to that place of origin. Most commonly, a geographical
indication includes the name of the place of origin of the goods.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 17 specialized

agencies of the United Nations (UN).
WIPO was created in 1967 "to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection
of intellectual property throughout the world".[1]
WIPO currently has 189 member states,[2] administers 26 international treaties,[3] and is
headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The current Director-General of WIPO
is Francis Gurry, who took office on 1 October 2008.[4] 186 of the UN member states as
well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are Members of WIPO. Non-members are
the states of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon
Islands, South Sudan and East Timor. Palestine has permanent observer status.[5]