What is the difference between a copyright and a license?

A copyright and a license both fall under Intellectual Property (IP) law in California. This law is important for protecting the rights of the creator of something original, such as artistic work, inventions, or literary works. A copyright is a right granted by the government to the author or creator of an original work, such as a painting, musical composition, book, or invention. This right gives them the exclusive ability to control the reproduction and distribution of their work. It also prevents others from making copies or adaptations of their work without permission. A license, on the other hand, is a contract between the creator of a copyrighted work and another person or entity that grants that person or entity permission to use the copyrighted material. The terms of the license can vary depending on what is being licensed, such as including limits to how the material can be used, who can use it, and for how long. In some cases, the license may include a fee for the use of the material. Overall, a copyright grants the creator exclusive legal rights to the material, while a license is a contract that grants permission for other people or entities to use the material.

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