What is a transfer of copyright?

A transfer of copyright is a legal agreement between two parties involving the giving of exclusive rights to a protected work of art. Copyright laws in the US, including those in Texas, protect original works of art from unauthorized reproduction or adaptation, giving the author or creator of a work exclusive rights over it. When a copyright is transferred, the original author or creator transfers these copyright privileges to a new owner. The new owner can then do whatever they like with the work, including reproducing it, adapting it, authorizing others to reproduce it, or selling it. One example of a transfer of copyright would be if a visual artist in Texas sold the rights to her most recent painting to a commercial art gallery. As the new owner of the painting, the gallery would legally be the one with exclusive rights to reproduce and display it. In Texas, it is important to have an attorney review all copyright transfer agreements to make sure that all legal requirements are met and that the rights of the original creator are well-protected. It is also important to register the copyright transfer agreement with the US Copyright Office, if applicable, in order to ensure that the copyright is fully protected.

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