What does copyright cover?
- Literary works, including novels, instruction manuals, computer programs, song lyrics, newspaper articles and some types of database
- Dramatic works, including dance or mime
- Musical works
- Artistic works, including paintings, engravings, photographs, sculptures, collages, architecture, technical drawings, diagrams, maps and logos
- Layouts or typographical arrangements used to publish a work, e.g. in a book
- Recordings of a work, including sound and film
- Broadcasts of a work
- Databases
- Software
What can I do with copyright?
Copyright allows you to protect your original material and stops others from using your work without your permission. The existence of copyright may be enough on its own to stop others from trying to exploit your material. If it does not, it gives you the right to take legal action to stop them exploiting your copyright, and to claim damages. By understanding and using your copyright and related rights protection, you can:- Sell the copyright but retain the moral rights
- License your copyright for use by others but retain the ownership
- Object if your work is distorted or mutilated