When creators of artistic and literary works are given legal rights, then copyright describes the process. Literary works that are protected by copyright include poems, novels, plays, newspapers, reference works. Artistic works which include drawings, paintings, sculpture, photograph, advertisements, architecture, technical drawings, and maps. Others are databases and computer programs, musical compositions, choreography, and musical composition.



People's creativity can be protected with the use of copyright. Copyright ensures that your work is recognized and sometimes it can bring you different financial rewards. People who have created artistic work will be sure that copyright will protect them if their work is copied, distributed or used without their permission. Also, another important aspect of copyright is that it will improve culture quality, entertainment and artistic knowledge all over the globe.

Most creative works under copyright require financial investment, communication, and mass distribution upon dissemination using different media. It includes publications, films, and sound recordings. The creators are often selling the rights of their works to companies or individuals who can market their works best to get back what they paid for. These payments are independently made based on the actual work usage, known as royalties.

All economic rights that are given to specific companies last fifty years after the death of the inventor, this fact is stated in the WIPO(World Intellectual Property Organization). But if someone needs a longer period, it is possible if that is established by the national law. This law assures that inventors and their relatives will benefit from their creation over a certain amount of time. This copyright protection also ensures moral rights; inventors will claim their authorship and will have the right to oppose any changes that can ruin their reputation.

Copyright and other related rights are given by individual countries through national legislation. Even international treaties applied some national laws to ensure that a number of rights are granted to the original creators based on nondiscriminatory status. The creators can consult the National Copyright Administration or CLEA (Collection of Laws for Electronic Access) WIPO database.

WIPO, an intergovernmental organization is administering lots of treaties internationally which is associated to intellectual property rights, requests, and government advice. However, it is mandatory for WIPO to give non-governmental organizations or private persons legal advice. It is much better to consult a copyright lawyer for specific matters.

Copyright is not dependent on official procedures. Created works are considered copyright protected upon its existence. It was stated in the Berne Convention about protecting artistic and literary works that without formalities, these works are already protected provided that the country is a part of the said convention.

WIPO has no system for copyright registration; this can be done in copyright offices in each country. Every country has laws which protect artistic works. Copyright is useful when making a difference between two works, or it may be used in courts when copyright disputes happen.

Trademarks are words, names and symbols that are used as a signature for a company or business in order to make sure that people recognize their products. The brand name is the one who defines a trademark.

Registration of a trademark is not required by the government. However, several advantages can be given if a trademark obtained federal registration. It includes evidences of trademark's ownership, nationwide constructive notice about the owner's claim, federal courts jurisdiction can be invoked, registration can be a basis to obtain international trademark registration, and registration can be filed with the customs service of the U.S. to prevent infringing of imported goods. Understanding the distinction between a copyright and trademark is necessary. It really helps.