A copyright is a form of intellectual property, which protects literary and artistic works such as:

• Any writing like user manual, service manual, product catalogs etc.,
• Music and works of fine arts and
• Technology based works such as computer programs and electronic databases.

Copyright is an inherent right, which arises whenever a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work is expressed in a tangible form. The ownership of a Copyright should be indicated by the legend © followed by date of creation of the work and the name of the owner.

Copyright Protection

A Copyright protects only expression of thoughts and not ideas. An example to illustrate this would be Shakespeare’s novel. “Romeo and Juliet” is considered as a creative expression of an idea. Still other writers build new stories based on the same idea of Shakespeare. It is important to secure ownership of copyright in any work to prevent anyone else from copying it. Naturally, it is always the author who is the first owner. However, if a person creates such copyright during the course of his employment duties, then the first owner is the Employer. The owner of a Copyright in a protected work may use the work as he wishes and may prevent others from using it without his authorization. The right granted to an owner of a Copyright is an exclusive right that enables him

• To Use the work
• To Authorize others to use the work

 Term of Protection

It lasts for Sixty years. In the case of original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, the sixty -year term from the year following the death of the author. In the case of cinematograph films, sound recordings, photographs, posthumous publications, anonymous and pseudonymous publications, works of government and works of international organizations, the Sixty -year term is counted from the date of publication.