COPYRIGHTS

Copyright laws protect drama, literature, music, graphics, architecture, sculptures, and other "intellectual works". These laws are designed to ensure that an artist is recognized and compensated for his work. They also prevent other people from passing the work off as their own.

The person or company holding the copyright is the only one legally able to reproduce, change, publish, sell, distribute, or perform the copyrighted material.


The author or the creator of the work usually owns the copyright. Often an employer automatically holds the copyright if an employee creates the work while at work.
Copyrights last anywhere from 67 to 95 years, depending on when the copyrighted item was created, and when the copyright was issued.


If you want to use part of a work that you know is copyrighted, be sure to correctly and thoroughly recognize the creator of the work.

For more information about copyright laws, visit the U. S. Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov.