Date First Published: 20th August 2023
Topic: Computer Systems
Subtopic: Legislation & User Data Protection
Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions
Difficulty: MediumDifficulty Level: 4/10
Learn about what the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act is in this article.
The Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act (CDPA) is a piece of legislation introduced in 1988 to protect people's original work. This gives them a right to control how their works are used and protects them from being published, distributed, or sold without their permission. Examples of works that are covered include sound recordings, films, photographs, and books. Unless the copyright holder gives their rights away, work is automatically protected by copyright and it is not necessary to register copyright.
Photographs that are found on search engines are examples of work that might be protected by copyright. Some photographs, like ones from copyright-free image sites, may be freely usable, but others might require permission or a fee to be used publicly. Copyright is an important thing to consider when distributing someone else's work.
Copyright does not last forever and the rules about how long copyright lasts are quite complex. Most works, including dramatic, artistic, and musical works last 70 years after the death of the creator. Broadcast works last 50 years from when it was first published and published editions last 25 years from when it was first published. Once the copyright has expired, anyone is free to use or copy the work.
Under the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act, copyright holders have a right to sue people who infringe their copyright. The punishments for copyright infringement are usually limited to paying compensation to the copyright holder. However, in extreme cases of copyright infringement, it can result in imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The main difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism is that copyright infringement is the unauthorised distribution, publishing, or selling, of works that are protected by copyright, whilst plagiarism is the act of someone using someone else's work as their own and does not always apply to work protected by copyright. Also, copyright infringement is a legal issue, whilst plagiarism is an ethical issue.
The Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations 1992 extends the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act to include computer programs. This ensures that computer programs are covered by copyright.
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