Description

A plain language guide to copyright in the 21st century

Works that copyright protects – such as books, magazines, websites, computer programs, music and videos – are an important part of modern life. Yet many who use these works, and even some who produce them, do not understand copyright. I wrote this introduction to copyright for those in business, the entertainment industry and education, and for those who use and create copyright works in all their different forms. The book explains what copyright protection means for copyright holders and for copyright users. It also introduces readers to contemporary copyright topics: digital rights management, open licences, software patents and protection for works of traditional knowledge. A final chapter tries to predict how technology will change the publishing and entertainment industries that depend on copyright. The book assumes no special knowledge and avoids technical language as much as possible.