Sample Literature Paper on Copyright and Creative Commons
Part One: Copyright Basics
Copyright is the legal protection granted by the constitution of a country to the original authors or inventors of content to the exclusive rights of its use and means of distribution for a limited period. A patent is automatic when a work of art or science is created in a fixed format such as handwritten or recorded by the artist, inventor, or author. Ideas, facts, and data are exempted from copyright laws. The patent symbol © is not necessarily required to be on content to show that it is under copyright protection. However, content owners are encouraged to affix the symbol on all created content to remind people of the works’ copyrights.
Fair use permits for the usage of copyrighted original work of the creator without a prior request for authorization. The reasons considered for fair use are the amount of work copied, the intended purpose of use, nature of the copyrighted work, character, and effect of the use on the market. Additionally, a first sale doctrine permits the lending, reselling, and disposal of the content (“Trademark, Patent, or Copyright?”). When it comes to copyright, attribution refers to the need to obtained permission from content owners or their agents before one is allowed to use the content. Public domain pertains to those works which are no longer protected by copyright or never were thus can be accessed by the public without the authorization of their creators. When in doubt about copyright, one should obtain permission from the copyright holder.
The definition of a patent, according to the United States Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO), is a property right issued for an indicated period allowing the disclosure of an original invention or artistic work to the public. However, when a symbol, specific phrase, term or unique design is used to identify and distinguish a work from other existing ones, it is referred to as a trademark (“Trademark, Patent, or Copyright”). On the other hand, copyright is the legal protection granted to original authorship works such as writings, art or drama.
Part Two: Creative Commons
Creative Commons exists to enable creators and inventors to share knowledge and create access to it globally. It allows people to access original works with few restrictions. The content can be shared easily in a collaborative effort to transform the community. By using Creative Commons, creators can alter the copyright terms from ‘All rights reserved’ to ‘Some rights reserved’ which increases access for sharing the content. Additionally, creators can (cc) their work and entirely opt out of restrictive copyright laws. Creative Commons allows information to be shared widely as well as obtain feedback on the work done in terms or corrections or clarifications.
My opinion about Creative Commons is that it is necessary since it promotes a free and open content sharing which accelerates the creation of global solutions. Undoubtedly, content needs to be shared efficiently so that the community can benefit from it on various scales, such as education. The Creative Commons movement can erode the use of copyright since government institutions, non-profit organizations and individuals use it to share knowledge through innovative tools and systems. Creative Commons helps artists to make their works known and identified globally by issuing licenses. Furthermore, the creative work of artists is recognized and acknowledged, and they can even receive feedback on their content. The artist can receive financial benefits as the shares increase worldwide and the content gains attention from different people.
Work Cited
United State Patent and Trademark Office. “Trademark, Patent, or Copyright?” December 11, 2011. Accessed from https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics/trademark-patent-or-copyright