What is a transfer of copyright?

A transfer of copyright is a legal agreement in which the copyright owner, often referred to as the author, transfers complete or partial ownership of their copyrighted work to another person or organization. This transfer can be made for payment, as part of a business agreement, or for any other purpose. In Washington, a transfer of copyright must be in writing and signed by the copyright owner or their designated agent, such as an attorney, to be legally binding. The person or organization that receives the transfer of copyright becomes the new copyright owner. They are then able to control what is done with the copyrighted work, whether it is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or performed in public. Depending on the terms of the agreement, the new copyright owner may be able to share the rights to the copyrighted work with others. When a transfer of copyright is made, the person or group receiving the copyright is responsible for defending their copyright if there is a challenge from a third party. They must also ensure that any royalties or fees due to the copyright owner are paid when the copyrighted work is reproduced or shared.

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