The internet has allowed people virtually around the world access to numerous programs and literature made available from others. Obtaining a copy of files or programs is as easy as clicking the mouse button. Not everything copied from the internet is meant to be free for anyone's use and distribution. The files copied may be considered copyright material. Copyright material consists of published works of literature, music, drama, choreographic material, pictures and graphic materials, sound recordings, architecture, and motion pictures. An example of copyright use pertaining to pictures may be found at PACA. The copyright material is considered copyrighted, under the copyright law for any material published after January 1, 1978 for the lifetime of the author plus fifty years. Published works of an employer have copyrights on their material for 75 years after the works publication or 100 years after its creation, whichever occurs first. People violating the copyright law can find themselves in court and may have to pay monetary fines among other things. Court cases involving copyright infringement may be found at The Internet Law Page and The Copyright Website.
An in depth look at copyright issues, legislation, forums, and such can be located at Stanford University which also includes a searchable database. The Copyright Website offers issues concerning the use of copyright infringement on the internet. David Loundy's E-Law Web Page provides another detailed look at copyrigt material and what needs to be done to protect electronic publishing on the internet. Hear Phil Clampit from UW-Green Bay talk about Copyrights.
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