Copyright is a legal term that grants exclusive rights to the creator of original work, like literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. These rights allow the owner to control how their work is used, such as copying, distributing, adapting, displaying, and performing it. Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.

Key Aspects of Copyright

• Originality: A work must be independently created by the author and possess a minimal degree of creativity to be eligible for copyright protection.
• Fixation: The work must be fixed in a tangible medium such as a book, recording, or software.
• Right of the Owner: Copyright owners have the right to control how their work is used, including reproduction, adaptation, distribution, public performance, and display.
• Limited Duration: Copyright protection is not perpetual. It lasts for a certain period, varying depending on the jurisdiction and type of work.
• Automatic Protection: In many jurisdictions, copyright protection is automatic as soon as the work is fixed in a tangible medium, and no formal registration is required.
• International Copyright Law: Copyright law is also governed by international treaties and agreements, ensuring the protection of works across borders.
  

In India

• The Copyright Act, 1957 governs copyright law in India.
• This law extends copyright protection to literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as cinematograph films and sound recordings.
• The Copyright Office in India is responsible for registering copyright claims and administering copyright law.
  

Duration

• Typically, the duration of copyright expires 50 to 100 years after the creator’s death, depending on the jurisdiction.
• Some countries require formalities to establish copyright, while in others, any completed work is protected without formal registration.
• When the copyright of a work expires, it enters the public domain.