Copyrights Flashcards
5 Types of protections
- Copyright
- Patent
- Trademark
- Trade Secret
- Private Contract
What are the rightst of the copyright owner?
- Make copies
- Derivative works- Based on original work. IF court finds derivative work then plaintiff will win. Think of sequels
- Exploitation, sell it, license it (a sync license is very specifi - Take sound recording and sync it to the track - copying it over to sync but you also need a public performance to display it theatrically) so need a sync license and a performance license.
- Right to create
- The right to perform the work
MDECP
Does a copyright create a monopoly
NO
Direct Copyright InfringementTest
2 elements to prove copyright infringement:
Substantial similarity
- Substantial similarity is determined by a general comparison of the two works
- A work is substantially similar to a preceding work when it captures the total concept and feel of the first work
- ordinary observer would view the aesthetic appeal as the same and would recognize the alleged copy as having been appropriated form the original work
- Access (accessibility: is it possible to have access to the copyrighted work?)
- Ex. film released in US = automatic access
- Access may be shown indirectly by evidence that plaintiff’s work has been widely disseminated
- Do not necessarily have to show contact between the two.
- More access less similarity and vice versa
What are the 2 types of secondary liability for copyright
- Vicarious Liability
- Contributory Infringement
Vicarious liability Elements for copyright
- Plaintiff must show that direct infringment occured
- Defendant has right / ability to control infringing activity; and
- That there was a direct financial benefit to defendant from copying
Contributory Infringement for copyright
Establish claim for infringement:
- Defendant had knowledge of infringing activity; and
- Induced, caused, or materially contributed to that infringing activity
Does Copyright infringement have to be done intentionally
No it can be done unintentionally or subconsciously
Defenses to copyright (List)
- Lack of access or substantial similarity
- Claimant has an invalid copyright or failed to file for registration before he sues
- Materials were in public domain
- Allegedly infringed materials were subject to fair use
- Allegedly infringed materials were scenes a faire
- There was misuse of the subject copyright
- The claim is federally PREEMPTED. No state claims if they fall within Section 106
- The claim is within scope of staturoy Safe Harbor Provisions
AI PFS MPH
Copyright is exclusive to what jurisdiction
Federal
What is a valid copyright
A copyright is an original work of authorship (something creative – write, poet, etc.) fixed in a tangible medium of expression
Fixation component of copyright
The fixation requirement is met if the work is sufficiently permanent or stable to permit it to be reproduced for more than a transitory period
Like dancing is not copyrighttable, but the choreagraphy is.,
Originality requirement for copyright
Is a very low bar. Any creative spark will satisfy this requirement. Minimal level of origninality.
For Copyright originality, must the the thing be novel
NO
Are ideas protected for copyright?
What can protect ideas?
No, but the expression of the idea is protected. Ideas can be protected by contract through a non-disclosure agreement.
Are facts/research copyrightable
No
When does copyright attach
The moment the ink is dry. the moment it is put in tangible form.
The author is the owner of the copyrighted work UNLESS
- Work made for hire: The work is specially ordered or commissiioned for use of a as a contribution to elective work (must have a writtent signed instrument) made for hire -hirign party owns copyright); or 2. The person is an employee acting within the course / scope of employment (employer owns copyright)
An employee’s conduct falls within the scope of employment if:
- It is of the kind the employee is employed to perform/ (is it within job description?) 2. Occurs substantially within authorized time and space limits / (performed during work hours or not?)
Factors to determie wheter a hired party is an employee under general common law of agnecy
- Hiring party’s right to control the manner and menas by which product is accomplished
- Skill required
- Souurce of instrumentalities or tools
- Location of the work
- Duration of realtinship btw teh parties
- Whether the hiring party has righ to assign add’l project ot hired party
- extent of hired party’s discretion over when and how long to work
- Metho of Payment
- Hired party’s role in hiring and paying assistants;
- Wheter the work is part of the regular business of the hiring party
- The provision of employee benefits
- Tax treatment
Joint ownership of copyright rules
- authors intented that individual contributions be merged into a unitarty whole
- Authors of joint wrork are co-owners of copyright in work
- Must have intented to be coauthors at time work was created
- An assistant is not a joitn author. Must provide more that mere direction or ideas.
Can you protect functional aspects for a copyright
No
How long does a copyright last (author)
Life of author + 70 years
Copyright protection for works made for hire (lenght)
- 95 years from publication
- 120 years from creation
- Whichever ends first