MEANING OF COPYRIGHT
“The exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material.”
Statutory Definition- “The statutory definition of copyright means the exclusive right to do or authorize other(s) to do certain acts in relation to –
1) Literary, dramatic or musical works;
2) Artistic work;
3) Cinematograph film; and
4) Sound recording”
CHARACTERISTICS OF COPYRIGHT
Copyright is not a single right rather it is collection of rights.Following are the characteristic features of copy right.
- Creation of a statute
Copyright is formation of a particular statute under the present law. This law is applicable only on work which are as per the provision of this act i.e.any work can not qualify for copyright.
- Some Form of intellectual property
A copyright is a form of intellectual property because it protects the product of a human mind.
- Monopoly right
Copyright is monopolistic in nature. It restricts others from using the rights of a copyright owner.
- Negative right
Copyright is a negative right it stops others from copying the work protected under copyright.
- Object of copyright
The basic aim of copyright law is to motivate authors, composers and artists to create original works by giving them exclusive right for a specified period of time.
- Multiple rights
Copyright is not a single right. It consists of a collection of different rights in the same work. For example, a literary work copyright includes the right issuing copies of work, translation of work etc.
- Neighbouring rights
Copyright Act explains broadcasters’ and performers’ rights, they are known as “neighbouring rights”. They were created for performing artists, producers of phonogrammes, and people involved in broadcasting (radio or television).
