Definition
In legislation – A copyright offers the owner of original work that can be printed, recorded, or “fixed” in any manner the sole right to reproduce and distribute the work, to display or perform it, and to authorize others to do so, during the author’s lifetime and for fifty years thereafter.
In product development – Copyright is an exclusive right to the production or sale of literary, musical, or other artistic work, or to the use of a print or label. Occasionally, it is applied to a brand, but brands are usually protected by registration in the Patent and Copyright Office as a trademark.
The Copyright Amendments Act of 1992 allows for automatic renewal of copyright works eligible for renewal between years 1995 and 2005. Any copyright secured between January 1, 1963, and December 31, 1977, has been extended automatically for 47 years.
References
- American Marketing Association, AMA Dictionary.