Copyright “General”

1790

What year was the first U.S Copyright law passed?

January 1, 1978

What year did the 1976 Copyright Act go into effect?

Life of the Author + 70 years

What is the duration of copyright works created after Jan. 1 1978?

“The right to copy”

What is copyright?

Fixed Form

The work must be captured in a tangible medium (recorded, written, saved)

Collective Work

A collection of separate works grouped together (Anthology, Compilation Album)

Compilation

A new work made from pre-existing works (e.g., Greatest Hits Album)

Audiovisual works

Sound + moving images together (movies, music videos)

Certificate of Recordation

This is proof that an important document has been officially entered into government records, and can be rescinded after 35 years.

Copies

Physical Objects (books, sheet music)

Phono Records

Objects with Sound Recordings

Reproduce; Derivative; Distribution; Public Performance; Public Display; Digital Transmission

What are the Six exclusive rights of Copyright holders?

Purpose, Nature, Amount, Effect on Market

What are the Four Fair Use factor’s?

Fair Use

A teacher showing a short film clip in class for educational purposes is…

Joint Work

A copyright being split evenly (unless contract says otherwise) is what?

The Employer

In a Work made for Hire, who owns the copyright?

First Sale Doctrine

Once you buy a copy, you can resell or give it away, but not reproduce it.

Music Modernization Act

This created the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) and protected pre-1972 recordings, and gave producers/engineers royalties

Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings (1995)

This gave sound recording performance rights in digital transmissions (internet, satellite).

Audio Home Recording Act (1992)

Allows personal home copying of music and adds royalties to blank media.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (1998)

This Required web casters to pay royalties, bans DRM (Digital Rights Management) and gives ISPs safe harbor.

Best Edition

The version of a copyright the Library of Congress prefers to keep.