Copyright Basics

Copyright is a set of rights awarded to authors and creators of original works giving them the sole right to market their works for a limited period of time. Copyright also gives rights to the users of these works, rights which allow them, under certain conditions, to exercise a right of the copyright owner without seeking permission or paying a royalty. In addition to defining the rights of owners and users, copyright law defines what materials can and cannot be protected and establishes the duration of protection.

Rights of owners? Rights of users? Duration of protection? Why is this important? Whether we know it or not, we deal with copyright every day. As authors, musicians, photographers, or artists, we create copyrighted materials. As students and teachers, we use copyrighted material. In these roles, it is important that we understand the basics of copyright not only to protect our interests as copyright owners, but also to avoid infringing on the rights of others.

Please visit the links on the left for more information on copyright basics.