Copyright is a body of legislation intended to protect works created by scientists, writers and artists. The main point is that nobody except the author can meddle with the work, or alter it. If someone decides to copy the work, or makes such a situation possible, they should pay a fee. Copyright applies to the following works:
- those that are expressed with words, mathematical symbols, graphic signs
- fine arts
- photography
- industrial design
- luthiery
- architecture, urban planning
- musical and verbal-musical
- scenic, choreographic, pantomimic
- audiovisual
It is important that all the works must result from the individual creative process the author went through. As a result, the copyright law does not cover the following:
- normative acts, laws, regulations, orders, agreements,
- official documents, materials, signs and symbols
- mathematical concepts
- published patent or protection descriptions
- simple press releases
- stage and cabaret characters
A work is copyrighted from the moment it was created, throughout the life of the author and 70 years after their death. After that time, the work goes into the so-called public domain, which means that anyone can freely use it. This is not the case with personal copyright, which is unlimited in time and non-transferable. It cannot be transferred to anyone, waived or sold. It remains in force even after the death of the author. The protection of right may be requested by a spouse or, in the absence of a spouse, by the next persons entitled to inheritance.
A person who infringes copyright can face criminal and civil penalties.
