What is copyright law?

Copyright law is a form of intellectual property law that gives the author or creator of an original work exclusive rights to their work. The law recognizes the author or creator as the sole owner of the work and prevents others from using or reproducing the work without permission. The exclusive rights granted by copyright law usually include the right to reproduce, perform, publicly display, distribute, or create derivative works based upon the original work. In Texas, copyright law is protected under the Copyright Act of 1976. This Act grants the owner of the copyright exclusive rights to the work for a certain period of time. The period of time varies depending on the type of work, but under the Act, all works published in the United States receive copyright protection for a period of 70 years after the life of the author or creator. In addition, the Copyright Act provides for criminal sanctions and civil remedies for those who infringe upon the exclusive rights granted by copyright law. Infringers can be liable for damages, profits, costs and attorney fees, and may be subject to criminal penalties. It is important for businesses and individuals to understand the importance of copyright law and be aware of the laws that protect original works of authorship.

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