Chapter 8: Copyrights – Study Guide

Flashcards for Chapter 8: Copyrights

What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

Creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

What are the major forms of IP?

Trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets.

What is the Natural Rights Theory perspective on copyright protection?

Authors should control and benefit from their work.

What is the Utilitarian Theory perspective on copyright protection?

Copyright law encourages creativity for the general public’s benefit.

What does copyright do?

Gives creators legal rights over their works, covering literary, artistic, musical, dramatic, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual works.

What is the typical duration of copyright?

Life of the author + 70 years.

Why register a copyright even though it's not required in the U.S.?

It offers benefits such as evidence in disputes.

When does copyright exist?

The moment a work is fixed in a tangible medium.

What economic rights do authors have?

Rights of reproduction, distribution, translation, adaptation, and public performance.

What is required to obtain copyright?

Simply creating a work and fixing it in a tangible form.

What does copyright protect?

Expressions of ideas, not the ideas themselves.

What are the three requirements for a work to be copyrighted?

Be fixed in a tangible medium, be original, and show minimal creativity.

What works are protected by copyright?

Literary works, musical and dramatic works, choreography, pictures, films, sound recordings, and architecture.

What materials are unprotected by copyright?

Titles, names, facts, ideas, procedures, and government works.

What is the duration of copyright protection?

Life of the author + 70 years (individual), or 95 years from publication/120 years from creation (corporate).