Abstract
This piece provides an overview of copyright law as a crucial form of intellectual property protection in journalism and publishing. It explains that copyright automatically arises when an original work is fixed in a tangible form. While registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is not required, it offers stronger protection, the ability to sue for infringement, and statutory damages. The article outlines copyright terms (life of author plus 70 years, or 95/120 years for works made for hire) and notes that facts alone are not copyrightable, but the unique text style, sequence, and original photographs can be protected. It emphasizes that permission, often via a license and fee, is generally required to use copyrighted material, even if publicly accessible online. The Fair Use Doctrine is highlighted as an exception, permitting limited use of copyrighted work without authorization for purposes like commentary, news reporting, criticism, scholarship, teaching, and research, though these cases are examined individually.
Recommended Citation
Cameron A. Parks, Cameron A. Esq.
(2025)
"Copyright Law and the Importance of Protecting Your Publication,"
AADEJ - The Communicator: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/aadej-communicator/vol11/iss1/6