General Information

Fundamentals of Copyright

    Copyright applies to nearly all creative and intellectual works. If you hear, see, read, or watch it, it is most likely copyright protected.
    Original works in tangible form are protected under copyright with or without  copyright notice or registration. Law provides benefits if you put the copyright sign or register your work.
    Duration
    Works created after Jan 1, 1978 - Copyright protection is the life of the author plus 70 years.
    For works made for hire (author is the employing party), protection is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation whichever is lesser.
    Works created 1923-1977 – Maximum copyright protection is 95 years.
    Public Domain.
    Works in public domain lack copyright protection.

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General Terms
Plagiarism – Using somebody’s works without giving the author credit. Unintentional plagiarism occurs when the author of the work is not cited or given appropriate credit; intentional plagiarism occurs when one person intentionally steals someone else’s work.  Avoid plagiarism by citing works borrowed. (Butler, p. 55)

License - A license is an agreement between the seller and the purchaser which can either be a physical or virtual document granting limited and nonexclusive rights to the purchaser use the material for specified purposes for a fixed duration of time. The license defines the way by which the copyrighted works can be used.  (Butler, p. 40)