Copyright
Copyright is a property right, which subsists in various works including:
- Original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
- Sound recordings, films, broadcast or cable programmes, and
- The graphical arrangement of typeface in published editions
Copyright is a right which, in the UK at least, comes into being upon creation without the need for any registration. Generally speaking the monopoly provided will expire a maximum of 70 years from the year in which the author dies. The value of copyright, as with all intellectual property rights, is dependent on policing infringements and in a company's willingness to take action to enforce its rights. Monitoring for infringements is the responsibility of the copyright owner and should include regular reviews of publications, conference attendance and general vigilance in respect of competitor's activities.