We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.
Is shared copyright new to authors?
No. Copyright sits with the creator (or creators) at the time that a work is placed in a fixed format (written down on paper, typed on a computer, painted on a surface, and so on). If there are two or more authors for a work, they share the copyright equally. Similarly (but not the same), a compiled work or anthology might have dozens of contributors, and each of those pieces may have unique copyright holders.
How often is copyright law updated?
Updates are always under consideration, but the most recent update to copyright law occurred in December 2020 with the passing of the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act).
When was the Copyright Claims Board established, and how many members sit on the board?
The CCB was established under an act of Congress in December 2020 and just started to take cases under consideration this June (2022). It is a tribunal made up of three Copyright Office Officers (copyright lawyers) who will hear cases.
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You can join in this conversation on August 24, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on using the Copyright Claims Board, shared copyrights, and more. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Nonmembers can join for $30. Register today!
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