Copyright - what is it and how can I exploit it on the internet?

The following information should provide you with answers to some of the questions you may have relating to the use of copyright on the internet.

1. What is copyright and how does it affect my business ideas?

Copyright is a proprietary right which exists in original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works and sound recordings, films, broadcasts and cable programs, computer programs and typographical arrangements. However, it does not extend to protect ideas or concepts, only tangible works. Therefore, any work produced by you in connection with your new idea such as a business plan or a written presentation to potential investors will be protected by copyright. Also any text, pictures, databases, videos, sound clips or any broadcasts used on a web site will be copyright works. The owner of the copyright will generally be the creator or author of the work in question (ie. the person who prepared the business plan or the written presentation) unless she or he has specifically assigned (transferred) their rights of ownership to a third party. A major exception to this is where an employee has created the work in the course of his or her employment, in which case the work will belong to his employer.

2. How can I exploit my own copyright works?

If you have a copyright work and wish to provide it to others in return for some benefit you may either sell copies, for example books, grant licences to use the work, as is often done with computer programs, or perhaps obtain subscriptions for use of a site.

For further information on copyrights, please contact Kate Logan on telephone + 44 (0)20 7367 3709 or by e-mail at kate.logan@cms-cmck.com