Copyright Infringement and Prevention: Legal Perspective
Copyright is the name given to the rights provided by law regarding the use and copying of the works created by the intellectual labour of the creators. These rights protect the originality of the original creators’ works and form the basis of intellectual property. Copyright is valid in many areas such as paintings, photographs, books, music, videos, films, architectural works and sculptures.
What is Copyright Infringement?
Copyright infringement occurs when the work is copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed in a way that requires permission without the permission of the copyright owner. The Internet, digital technologies and social media pave the way for the spread of copyright infringement. Here are examples of copyright infringement:
- Pirated Film and Music Downloads:
- Downloading pirated films or music over the Internet is an example of copyright infringement.
- This is illegal because it is done without the authorisation of the author.
- Unauthorised Sharing:
- Sharing content on social media or other platforms without the authorisation of the author leads to copyright infringement.
- This is common in content such as photos, videos, text or music.
- Creation of Derivative Works:
- Creating derivative works from works without the author’s permission also constitutes copyright infringement.
- For example, a film based on a book or a remix version of a song.
Measures to Prevent Copyright Infringement
- Obtaining Authorisation:
- Avoid using content without permission from the author.
- Obtaining permission is the most effective way to avoid copyright infringement.
- Licensed Content Usage:
- Licensed content is a safe option to avoid copyright infringement.
- Obtain content such as music, photos or text from licensed sources.
- Audit for Copyright Infringement:
- Regularly monitor your content on the Internet.
- If you detect unauthorised use, intervene immediately.
Copyright infringement is an important issue for both authors and content users. Conscious use and obtaining permission are essential steps to prevent copyright infringement.