WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
• Copyright, or authors’ right, is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have in their literary, artistic and scientific literary works.
• Works covered range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.
• Copyright is owned for a fixed number of years.
• Copyright may be assigned to a publisher.
WHY IS COPYRIGHT IMPORTANT?
Copyright:
• Promotes creativity and the development of knowledge.
• Serves the public interest.
• Allows copyright owners to earn an income from their work.
• Protects the value of an author’ s work by prohibiting the unlawful or non-authorised use of the work.
HOW TO AVOID COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT?
• Material that is subject to copyright protection may not, without the permission of the copyright holder, be downloaded from websites shared, distributed or sold.
• Avoid groups that share copyrighted works illegally. This happens, for example, on WhatsApp, Telegram, Dropbox or Google Drive, even though these platforms are legal.
• There are exceptions and limitations to copyright owners’ exclusive rights. Instances in which restrictions to reproduction do not apply are when the work is used for research or personal use, as part of studies, or for non-commercial use in education and in libraries. Use for criticism or review or for new reporting is also exempted.
• With all these exceptions noted above, the source must be mentioned, as well as the name( s) of the author( s).
Copyright infringement is illegal – you reap where you have not sown. Both the author and publisher suffer losses through copyright infringements.
WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST INFRINGERS?
• Publishers and authors have the right to take the necessary action against copyright infringers.
• The Copyright Act makes provision for criminal penalties – a fine( a maximum of R5 000 per infringement) and / or imprisonment up to three years for a first conviction.
• Copyright infringers can also be held accountable for damages.
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The top 5 things you need to know about copyright
Copyright describes the rights that creators have in their literary, artistic and scientific literary works.
Copyright infringement is illegal and can result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
Copyright allows owners to earn an income from their work.
Copyright protects the value of creators’ work.
Copyright serves the public interest.
RESPECT CREATORS
How to do the right thing
1. Respect the creator’ s rights.
2. Allow the creator to earn an income and support further creativity.
3. If required, get permission to use copyright material.
4. Resist illegal online materials.
5. Report infringements to the publisher.
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RESPECT CREATORS
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Making illegal copies of this publication, distributing them unlawfully or sharing them on social media without the written permission of the publisher may lead to civil claims or criminal complaints.
# RespectCreators
Protect the communities who are sustained by creativity.
INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES TOGETHER