Difference between revisions of "Copyright"
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==Public Domain== | ==Public Domain== | ||
| − | + | Generally speaking, in the United States, “Public Domain” can be assumed if all of the following conditions are met: | |
* The material was originally published in English; | * The material was originally published in English; | ||
* The material was distributed in the United States prior to 1923; | * The material was distributed in the United States prior to 1923; | ||
If those conditions are not met, then the only safe assumption one can make, is that the material is under copyright protection. Obtain permission for creating a resource prior to doing so. | If those conditions are not met, then the only safe assumption one can make, is that the material is under copyright protection. Obtain permission for creating a resource prior to doing so. | ||
| + | |||
| + | For a more complete description of when a text is Public Domain see: http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain | ||
==Fair Use Doctrine== | ==Fair Use Doctrine== | ||
Revision as of 14:28, 7 June 2008
CrossWire respects Copyright and other Intellectual Property Rights.
As such, it discourages the creation, or conversion of resources into a format that is used by The Sword Project unless permission to do so has been obtained.
US Copyright Law
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 stands as current US Copyright Law.
Under US Copyright law, there is no differentiation between commercial, and non-commercial purposes. Unauthorized creation is a violation of the copyright act. Unauthorized distribution is a violation of the copyright act.
There is no "safe harbor" defense for creating unauthorized derivative works. There is no "safe harbor" defense for unauthorized distribution of copyright material.
Public Domain
Generally speaking, in the United States, “Public Domain” can be assumed if all of the following conditions are met:
- The material was originally published in English;
- The material was distributed in the United States prior to 1923;
If those conditions are not met, then the only safe assumption one can make, is that the material is under copyright protection. Obtain permission for creating a resource prior to doing so.
For a more complete description of when a text is Public Domain see: http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain
Fair Use Doctrine
In recent years, courts have greatly restricted what constitutes "Fair Use". US Statute Law does not specifically define "Fair Use".
When an organization claims "Fair Use", the courts apply a four prong test.
- Type of organization that used the material;
- How easy the material is to obtain;
- How old the material is;
- What the material is used for;
- Commercial activity related to distribution;
Moral Rights
The concept of “Moral Rights” is enshrined in French law. It is only found indirectly in US Law The Visual Artists Rights Act. 17 USC 106A.
The idea behind “Moral Rights” is that the original creator of a work has the right to declare certain derivatives, or uses to be “off-limits”.
French Law specifies the following:
- The Right of Integrity French Law 57-298 of 11 March 1957 Article 6;
- Mutilation or Destruction that would prejudice the author's honor or integrity is not permitted;
- The Right of Attribution French Law 57-298 of 11 March 1957 Article 6;
- The true author has the right to have his/her name attached to the work;
- Non-authors may not have their name attached to the work;
- Mutilation or Destruction on that would prejudice the author's honor or integrity is not permitted;
- The Right of Disclosure French Law 57-298 of 11 March 1957 Article 19; Article 56.;
- The author has the final decision on where, and when to publish;
- The Right to Withdraw or Retract a work French Law 57-298 of 11 March 1957 Article 32;
- The author has the right to prevent further dissemination of their material;
- The Right to reply to a critic;
- The right to have the reply published in the same place as the critic's expression;
Doujinshi
This concept is found in Japan. It is not enshrined in Japanese Case Law. Nor is it enshrined in Japanese Statutory Law. It exists, purely because the companies that create the characters, upon which Doujinshi are based, have turned a blind eye to the copyright violations. It exists simply because it has been more profitable for those firms to ignore the copyright violations, than to enforce them.
