Copyright is a category of intellectual property that includes novels, music, and performance art. Copyright infringement laws protect the rights of creators and prohibit unauthorized use or alteration of their work. Copyright protection exists automatically when a work is created and can be enforced even if not registered. However, copyright infringement laws vary around the world due to differing levels of importance and societal views on intellectual property rights.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), human creations, often referred to as intellectual property, are generally divided into two categories. One such category, which includes intellectual property such as novels, musical works, and performance art, is known as copyright. Breach can be defined as an intrusion or violation of something. Copyright infringement law refers to the rules regarding intrusions and violations of rights related to copyrighted creations.
When a person creates something like an arrangement of words, shapes or movements, certain rights also tend to manifest themselves. These rights may belong to the creator or may belong to another entity. For example, a document may be written by Tyler Jones but his employer, EEE Corporation, may hold the copyright. If anyone other than EEE Corporation attempts to use that document in an unauthorized manner, EEE Corporation may seek justice using the copyright infringement law.
According to WIPO, the principal right of a copyright holder is generally the ability to perform, authorize or prohibit reproduction of the protected work, explaining the tendency for such rights to be referred to as copyright. Copyright laws can, however, do more than prohibit people from making unauthorized reproductions of another person’s intellectual work. These laws can also prohibit people from altering someone’s work. Plagiarism, which generally involves using some or all of someone’s work without acknowledging the creator, can also be addressed by these laws.
Many people mistakenly believe that when copyright infringement laws exist, they only protect officially copyrighted work. When a work is officially protected by copyright, a person or company has taken legal proceedings to register a copyright with the proper authorities. WIPO states that in most countries a work is protected the moment it is created. When this is the case, intellectual property owners can seek protection from infringement laws even if their work is not registered.
While automatic creation and equal protection of registered and unregistered copyrights are common, copyright infringement law is not consistent around the world. One reason is that the level of importance attached to the creation and enforcement of such a law is inconsistent. In some countries, intellectual property rights receive little attention. Another reason copyright infringement law is not consistent worldwide is because different societies can have very different views on the rights that should be accorded to certain types of work.
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