Copyright law

Copyright law grants creators and rights holders exclusive rights over original works of authorship, subject to limits, exceptions, and terms that vary by jurisdiction.

Copyright: A legal right that controls specified uses of an original work for a limited period. Copyright law defines the rights and limits gathered under this legal system.
Exclusive rights: Legal powers that let a rights holder authorize or prohibit specified uses of a work. These powers are the core controls copyright law grants.
Fair use: A United States doctrine permitting certain unlicensed uses of copyrighted works after case-specific balancing. It allows some uses without permission under U.S. law.
Patent: A time-limited exclusive right granted for a qualifying invention in exchange for public disclosure. Patents protect inventions rather than original expression.
Statute of Anne: A 1710 English statute that established a statutory copyright system for books. It is an early landmark in the shift from printer privileges to author-centered rights.
Originality in copyright: The threshold of independent creation required for copyright protection. Originality determines which works qualify for protection.
Copyright licensing: Permission from a rights holder to use a copyrighted work under stated conditions. Licenses let uses proceed without transferring ownership.
Fair dealing: A set of statutory exceptions permitting specified uses of copyrighted works in several legal systems. It offers a structured alternative to the U.S. fair-use approach.
Trademark: A sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one source from those of others. Trademark law protects source identification, not authorship of creative works.
Berne Convention: An 1886 international treaty establishing protections for literary and artistic works across member countries. It coordinates copyright protection internationally without requiring formalities.

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