Copyright law protects original creative works such as literature, art, music, films, and software. It grants creators exclusive rights over their work, usually for a limited time, including rights to copy, distribute, adapt, and financially profit from the work. Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted works for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. Infringing on a copyright can result in fines of up to $150,000 per work. Works enter the public domain when copyright expires or if created by the US government. To register a copyright, submit an application, fee, and copies of the work to the US Copyright Office.

1. Copyright Law Protecting the Rights of Artists

2. What is Copyright Law?
• Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original
works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and
artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer
software, and architecture.
• Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of
operation, although it may protect the way these things are
expressed.
• Copyright laws grant exclusive rights to the creator of an original
piece of work.
• Usually these rights are extended for a limited time.

3. What are the Rights Granted by Copyright Law
•Technically, it is "the right to copy"your work.
•But also gives the copyright holder the right:
•To be credited for the work.
•To determine who may adapt the work to other forms.
•To decide who may perform the work.
•To decide who may financially benefit from it.

4. How Long Does a Copyright Last?
•For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright
protection lasts for the life of the author plus an
additional 70 years.
•For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a
work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of
95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of
120 years from the year of its creation, whichever
expires first.

5. Copyright Infringement
•If you use a copyrighted work without authorization, the
owner may be entitled to bring an infringement action
against you.
•Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may
be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each
work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by
the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up
to $150,000 for each work infringed.
•In addition, an infringer of a work may also be liable
for the attorney's fees incurred by the copyright
owner to enforce his or her rights.

6. Fair-Use Doctrine
•Under the fair use doctrine of the U.S. copyright statute,
it is permissible to use limited portions of a work.
•The reproduction of a particular work may be
considered fair if it is used for:
•criticism
•comment
•news reporting
•teaching
•scholarship
•research

7. Determining Fair Use
•To determine fair use, consider the following:
•The purpose and character of the use, including
whether such use is of commercial nature or is for
nonprofit educational purposes.
•The nature of the copyrighted work.
•The amount and substantiality of the portion used in
relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
•The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or
value of, the copyrighted work

8. Public Domain
•Photos that are in the public domain are not protected
by copyright laws and can be used without permission
or the payment of fees.
•Images enter the public domain:
•After the copyright has expired,
•If the image is a work of the U.S. government,
•Or the copyright holder fails to satisfy copyright
formalities.

9. How do I Copyright my Work?
•Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is
created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible
either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.
•Registration with the US Copyright Office is voluntary.
•However, you will have to register if you wish to bring
a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.
•To register a work, submit a completed application
form, a nonrefundable filing fee, and a nonreturnable
copy or copies of the work to be registered.

10. Signing Your Lino Cut Prints
You ALWAYS sign your prints in pencil like so:
# of the Individual Print / Total # of Prints “Title of Print” Your Signature