Slide 8 of 24
Notes:
Copyrights protect works of authorship
Copyright protects against copying, making modified versions (called derivative works), performing the work
Copyrights live much longer than patents, but they arenÆt as strong.
A copyright lives for the life of the author + 50 years or for 75 years.
( This is subject to be extended by S505 ôSony Bono Copyright Term Extension Actö -- adding 20 years )
But Independent creation is a defense. Two people right identical pieces of software on opposite sides of the globe, each has a copyright in her own work.
Like patents, you can go to court to protect your rights. Also, for certain acts, an infringer of a copyright can go to jail. For example, willfully importing pirate recordings.
