What is copyright?

Copyright is a form of legal protection that covers original works of authorship that have been created and published in a tangible medium, such as a book or computer program. In California, the Copyright Act of 1976 gives authors exclusive rights to their work for a certain period of time. This includes the right to reproduce, distribute, and prepare derivative works of the original work, as well as the right to display and perform the work publicly. These rights give authors the ability to control how their work is used and can help them receive revenue for their work. It’s important to understand that when an author creates a work, they are automatically granted copyright protection in California. This means that an author does not need to register or apply for copyright protection - it is granted as soon as the work is completed. For works created after 1989, the copyright is protected for the life of the author plus 70 years - if the author is anonymous, the copyright will remain in effect for 95 years. Copyright protection also applies to works that are published online, such as photos, videos, and written articles. As an author, it’s important to be aware of copyright law and understand the rights that come with it. Violation of copyright law can lead to criminal and civil penalties, so it’s best to always secure permission for any use of another author’s work.

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