Can I use copyrighted material without permission?

No, you cannot use copyrighted material without permission in Virginia. Copyright law protects the expression of an idea. This means that the person who creates an original work automatically has the exclusive right to copy, distribute, perform, or make derivative works from the original work. This exclusive right is yours unless and until you sign a copyright release or unless the copyright protection period expires. In Virginia, the copyright protection period is the life of the author plus 70 years. This means that for 70 years after the author of the work passes away, his/her work is protected by copyright law. During this time, you must obtain explicit permission from the copyright holder, which is generally the author or their legal representatives, to use the work. You should also be aware that some works may be protected by a Creative Commons license, which could grant you certain usage rights for free. The bottom line is that you must get permission from the copyright holder to use copyrighted material in Virginia. Doing otherwise could be illegal and lead to costly penalties. If you’re unsure if a work is copyrighted or not, it’s best to err on the side of caution and contact the copyright holder before using the material.

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