Many parts of the world are now making their transit from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy. It used to be that knowledge is power; now, knowledge and information is worth cold, hard cash. In this environment, one wonders who protects that beautiful song, the latest computer game, or the recent blockbuster.
Enter copyright, the concept that protects all of the above, and more, from being reproduced without authorisation or remuneration. Yes, we said copyright. You ask, what is it? How did it come about? Who grants it? How is it implemented? Fret not, as we elucidate a concept which is inextricably linked to DCI, the subject matter of this site.
Copyright: An Introduction
So what is copyright, at the end of the day? This section outlines a few key issues regarding this important concept.
History of Copyright: The Berne Convention
Arguably one of the most significant milestones in the development of copyright, the Berne Convention already has 163 signatory parties. Find out about the Berne Convention and other aspects of the history and development of copyright.
Fair Use
“Was that poem my teacher photocopied for the English class a violation of copyright? You mean my teacher broke the copyright law?” Most probably not. Find out about certain situations in which copyrighted works may be reproduced even if copyright is still in force.
Quiz
This quiz will serve to test your level of understanding of the content in this section.
