Learn the basics of copyright infringement in this blog, and learn how to avoid legal issues when you're at risk of being sued.
Overview
The internet has presented a threat to humans in a variety of ways. Copyright infringement is one of them. People may have access to millions of websites with a single click and post anything on social media networks by modifying someone else’s original work; a typical example of such change is submitting research papers. Scholars frequently use multiple sources to generate their work. People often plagiarise someone else’s original work without permission. So, what now? Don’t panic since we’ve got you covered. This article defines copyright infringement and explains how to spot it. We will demonstrate how you can protect your brand against copyright infringement, along with some examples. So, that being said, here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know “How to Avoid Copyright Infringement?”.
What Exactly Is Copyright infringement?
It is a copyright public performance violation to do any of the following with copyright material:
- Copying it
- Making copies available to thy general population
- Renting or returning it to the general public
- Making it known to the broad audience
Secondary infringement occurs when someone illegally imports an infringing copy, holds or interacts with it, or puts forward means for making it. In situations of infringement, a copyright holder has the option of pursuing civil remedies and filing a criminal complaint. Civil remedies include the following:
- Injunctions are being sought to prevent further violation
- All infringing contents are delivered to the owner
- The power to take hold of copies of infringing articles
- Recovering damages for loss based on the infringer’s earnings
In terms of criminal complaints, Section 63 of the Copyright Act(1957) states that anyone who unknowingly infringes or aids in the violation of the copyright in work, or other right conferred by the Copyright Act, is punishable. The law can sentence that person with imprisonment for a period of a minimum of six months, extending up to 3 years, and a penalty of a minimum of ₹50,000, which can be extended to ₹20 lakhs.
Examples of Copyright Infringement
There are several manifestations and sorts of copyright infringements. If you execute the following acts without first receiving permission from the holder, author, or owner, of the copyrighted content, you’ll be committing copyright infringement examples:
- Recording an entire movie at a cinema theatre
- Uploading a video to your company’s official website that contains copyrighted songs or words
- Making use of images with copyright on your company’s official website
- Making use of the copyright for songs in India of a music band on your company’s official website
- Completely altering a photograph and uploading it on your company’s official website
- Creating content using copyrighted pictures or text for sale
- Obtaining movies or music without paying for their use
- Without a formal agreement or permission, you won’t be able to copy any artistic work copyright or copyright literary work.
Limitations and Exceptions of Copyright Infringement
When first beginning to guard against copyright infringements, it is crucial to understand that there are a few scenarios in which someone may utilise your creative work without infringing on your rights.
The first situation occurs when your copyright expires and becomes public domain. Copyright protection typically lasts for the author’s lifetime plus 70 years. After this, they become part of the public domain and can be used by anybody.
The fair use concept is a common infringement exemption. In some cases, the fair use exemption permits others to use a work without the copyright holder’s consent. Examples of uncommon uses that can qualify as fair use under copyright law include comments, criticism, teaching, news reporting, and research. Nevertheless, there isn’t any legal definition of fair use, and whether it applies to a particular usage is assessed individually.
Courts will evaluate several criteria in a dispute, including the character and purpose of the use, the type of the copyrighted work, the amount of work utilised, and the market impact of the used position. The following are some examples of exceptions to copyright protection:
- Library and Archives: Copying protected works is permitted to preserve them in libraries and archives
- Educational use: Copyright violation does not apply to protected material utilised for learning, assessment, or instruction. The information can be photocopied, played and performed as part of the education and enrichment
- Temporary copies: A backup copy of computer software will not violate the owner’s copyright if acquired and used correctly
- Customised format: It’s not a copyright violation to reproduce and distribute copyrighted material in a specialised format for individuals with impairments.
How to Avoid Copyright Infringement?
Dealing with copyright infringements consumes resources that may be better used elsewhere in your organisation. The good news is that there are steps you may take to avoid the consequences of copyright infringement. This section discusses preventive measures before moving on to how to enforce your copyrights.
Register Your Copyright
Registering your copyright increases your work’s ownership status. Even if you believe there are no doubts about who owns your job, you may be mistaken.
Copyright law automatically offers absolute protection to artists; nevertheless, if you feel compelled to pursue an infringement case in court, you must register your copyright. A legal dispute must show the considerable resemblance between the original work and the putative infringement. Having the copyright legally registered acts as proof in court that the copyright owner owns the work in question.
Add a Copyright Emblem to Your Work
A copyright notice is a simple method to alert others that your work is copyright protected. The notification consists of three parts:
- The copyright sign ©, the abbreviation “copr”, or the term “copyright”
- The initially published year of the content
- The copyright holder’s name
You may immediately insert the copyright notice on your work. For instance, this may be your platform or the website to publish your work. Another advantage of utilising a copyright sign is in the event of copyright litigation. In that situation, the defendant’s attempts to lower damages by filing innocent infringement will entirely be dismissed.
Please Leave Your Contact Info for Future Usage
The easiest and cheapest strategy to avoid copyright infringements is to include your contact information so that people may contact you to ask for permission rather than infringing on your copyrighted work.
Publishing your work raises your exposure as a creator and attracts others who wish to utilise your job correctly. Giving rights to your work might help the holder of the copyright and the person who is reusing it. A Copyright for Synchronization License allows a person or entity to utilise a result owned by the copyright holder in return for payment.
Copyright license can be both exclusive and non-exclusive, and the agreement terms determine the rights associated with them. Copyright owners can make additional cash by licensing their work while owning their rights. If you intend to grant copyright licenses to your work, you should first register your copyright. As a result, there are no doubts about the work’s ownership status.
Put a Watermark on Your Visual Creation
A watermark is a graphic that you may add to images or other visual work, and it is often in the shape of white or translucent lettering. It notifies others and possible infringers that the work is yours. You may insert any information you like in the watermark, such as your name, firm’s name, or company logo.
A watermark also prohibits infringers from claiming they were unaware the material was copyrighted. Additional damages may be imposed if a copyright offender clears a watermark from a visual creation. Even if the copyright was not registered before the violation, these penalties are applicable.
Takedown Copyright Infringement
Individual authors and companies should make preventative efforts to avoid copyright infringement. However, experience reveals that even if you have such safeguards in place, infringers still can steal and profit from your work. Thanks to modern technologies, scammers find it reasonably easy and appealing to copy items and information.
That is not to say that preventive measures are pointless. Instead, they become fully effective when accompanied by a practical enforcement approach. When you observe an infringement of your work, there is no need to worry, but you should take prompt action.
Copyright Infringement India – You can easily report copyright infringements manually or get legal guidance from an attorney. However, when dealing with frequent or recurring breaches, those single-case procedures have drawbacks. Instead, you may collaborate with a business that specialises in trademark protection to secure your intellectual property on a large scale.
How Do I Report and Address Copyright Infringement?
While private and government agencies handle copyright registrations, they don’t typically address alleged copyright infringement claims. As the creator, owner, or holder of copyrighted material, it’s your responsibility to enforce your rights against infringement. The most common approach is sending a Copyright Infringement Notice directly to the infringing party
This notice is a written document that identifies the copyrighted content, specifies the alleged infringement, and warns of action if the infringement doesn’t cease promptly. It may also request fines and penalties for past unauthorised use.
A Copyright Infringement Notice, similar to a ‘cease and desist’ letter, instructs the infringer to stop the infringement, undo any potential damage, and immediately remove the copyrighted material from public display. If the initial approach fails, another option is for you, as the copyright owner, to initiate a civil lawsuit against the infringing party. In the lawsuit, you must demonstrate that your copyright predates the infringing usage. You can request a court order to stop the infringing activity and seek monetary compensation for any proven harm resulting from the infringement.
What Are the Possible Penalties for Copyright Infringement?
Copyright infringement consequences encompass both civil and criminal aspects, which encompass:
- Compensation for damages and actual profits lost due to the infringement
- Civil penalties, which can reach up to ₹1,50,000 per work in cases of intentional or willful infringement, like counterfeiting
- Statutory damages ranging from ₹750 to ₹30,000 per infringed item
- Criminal penalties, including fines of up to ₹250,000 and up to five years in jail for each offence.
To safeguard against copyright infringement, consider registering your creative works with legal assistance. Our attorney can help you pursue infringement claims or provide a defence in case of an infringement lawsuit.
Conclusion
Scammers who wish to steal your work now have an easier time committing infringement of copyright because of advances in technology. In the worst-case scenario, you may wind up in a protracted court battle over a large quantity of money. As a result, companies would be wise to devise a strategy to safeguard their creative works against piracy.
Preventive actions like registering your copyrights are strongly advised, but they do not provide complete protection. It is critical to report copyright violations as soon as you notice them. This works best with a technologically advanced system capable of scanning vast volumes of data over the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps can I take to avoid copyright infringement when using copyrighted content?
To avoid copyright infringement, seek permission, use public domain or Creative Commons content, create your own, or rely on fair use, but always give proper attribution when needed.
Is it possible to use copyrighted material for educational purposes without infringing on copyright?
Yes, you can use copyrighted material for educational purposes under fair use, but ensure it aligns with educational objectives and cite sources.
What are the best practices for providing proper attribution to avoid copyright issues?
Proper attribution involves crediting the source, author, and license of copyrighted content, reducing the risk of copyright issues.
Are there specific guidelines for using copyrighted music in videos and content without violating copyright?
: Guidelines for using copyrighted music depend on the platform and licensing. Consider using royalty-free or licensed music to avoid violations.
How can I legally use images and photographs from the internet without infringing on copyright?
Legally use internet images by checking licenses, using stock photos, or seeking permission from copyright holders.
What should I do if I receive a copyright infringement notice or claim?
: If you receive a copyright infringement notice, consult our lawyers, consider fair use, and respond promptly to resolve the issue.
Are there any tools or resources available to help me identify and avoid copyrighted material?
Tools like Creative Commons search and reverse image search can help identify and avoid copyrighted material.
Can I use a disclaimer to protect myself from copyright infringement claims?
A disclaimer may not fully protect you from copyright claims, but it can clarify intended use and potentially discourage legal action.
What are the consequences of unintentional copyright infringement?
Unintentional copyright infringement can lead to legal consequences, including fines and removal of content. Take precautions to avoid it.
How can I determine the duration of copyright protection for a particular work?
Copyright duration varies by country and work type. Generally, it lasts for the author's lifetime plus 70 years, but research specific laws for accuracy.
Read More:
