Copyright Overview

General Copyright is a right to prevent copying and other mis-use of something which has been created by an artistic process.  It is not protected by registration; its enforcement arises through court action. There is a separate legislation in relation to registered designs which gives protection for  a shorter period than copyright. A registered design […]

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Nature of Rights

Copyright General Copyright is governed in the United Kingdom by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. Copyright is defined as a property right which subsists in accordance with the legislation in the relevant types of work (see above). Copyright arises when the work becomes recorded in writing or otherwise. Copyright is a series of exclusive […]

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Classes of Copyright

Classes Copyright legislation affords protection for a number of different classes of work. The protection varies to some extent, with reference to the type of work concerned. Classic copyright legislation provides that copyright exists in an original literary dramatic musical or artistic work. The underlying concept or idea need not be original. The expression of […]

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Infringement & Defences

Rights of Copyright Holder The owner of copyright has the exclusive right to copy, issue copies, rent, perform, lend, show, play or communicate the work to the public. He has the right to adapt the work. Copyright is infringed by a person who without the licence (consent) of the owner of the copyright does or […]

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Remedies

Damages Infringement of copyright may incur civil and criminal liabilities. The most serious infringements carry the possibility on conviction on indictment of imprisonment up to 10 years and an unlimited fine. A person who holds copyright which has been infringed has a number of prospective remedies. He may be awarded damages to compensate for loss […]

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EU & Copyright

Enhancements EU legislation has provided for various enhancements and harmonization of the rights of various copyright holders. Directive includes extensions in relation legal protection of computer programs. resale rights rental and lending rights relating to copyright in the field of intellectual property. computer programme protection copyright and related rights applicable to broadcast programs by satellite […]

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