Copyright law provides creators with two broad groups of rights: economic rights and moral rights. Copyright law protects creators of original works by granting creators the sole right to produce or reproduce any substantial part of the work in any form, to perform the work in public or, if the work is unpublished, to publish the work or any substantial part of it. This means that
copyright owners have the exclusive right to control the translation of a work into another language, the adaptation of a work into another form, the communication of a work, the recording of a work, and the public performance of a work. Even if the creator sells copyright in the work to someone else [i.e. control over the publication and reproduction of the work and the right to receive remuneration], he or she retains moral rights in the work. The work cannot be
distorted, mutilated, or otherwise modified in a way that is prejudicial to the creator's reputation or honour. Unlike economic rights, moral rights are personal to the creator, and thus cannot be sold or given away. However, moral rights can be waived by written agreement, e.g., not to exercise the rights. Specific moral rights include: The copyright owner has the exclusive right to authorize others to
exercise any of his or her rights. Anyone who authorizes the performance of an act that is the exclusive right of the copyright owner, absent a license to do so, infringes the rights of the copyright owner and can be held liable therefore. Authorization may be either express or implied. If someone made copying equipment available, and knew that it was regularly used to infringe copyright, and showed a manifest indifference to that infringement, then a court might well conclude that the person
had implicitly authorized the use of that equipment for copyright infringement. For example, York University might be held liable for copyright infringement committed by members of the University community using copiers located on its premises, if a court concluded that York was indifferent to how they were used. Therefore, York University places warning signs on copiers, and tries to educate the community in other ways, in order to make it clear that York does not authorize copyright
infringement.A. Economic Rights
B. Moral Rights
Authorization to Exercise Rights
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- About IP
Intellectual property [IP] refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
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IP and mobile applications
Find out how IP mechanisms help mobile application developers and publishers generate more income from their creations.
Types of intellectual property
Copyright
Copyright is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps and technical drawings.
Patents
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. Generally speaking, a patent provides the patent owner with the right to decide how - or whether - the invention can be used by others. In exchange for this right, the patent owner makes technical information about the invention publicly available in the published patent document.
Trademarks
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks date back to ancient times when artisans used to put their signature or "mark" on their products.
Industrial designs
An industrial design constitutes the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article. A design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an article, or of two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color.
Geographical indications
Geographical indications and appellations of origin are signs used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, a reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that place of origin. Most commonly, a geographical indication includes the name of the place of origin of the goods.
Trade secrets
Trade secrets are IP rights on confidential information which may be sold or licensed. The unauthorized acquisition, use or disclosure of such secret information in a manner contrary to honest commercial practices by others is regarded as an unfair practice and a violation of the trade secret protection.
Training – from IP basics to specialist skills
WIPO runs workshops, seminars and training courses throughout the year, both in Geneva and worldwide.
Year-round roving seminars help businesses, researchers, lawyers and innovators stay on top of latest developments in global IP services.
The WIPO Academy offers distance learning and face-to-face courses. Choose from a rich portfolio of general and specialized courses on IP to improve your skills, whatever your level of knowledge or interest.
Or explore the interactive IP PANORAMA e-tutorial.
Raising awareness of IP
World IP Day
On April 26 every year we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day to promote discussion of the role of IP in encouraging innovation and creativity. Find out how you can take part.
WIPO Magazine
Subscribe for free to read stories, articles and interviews showing IP, innovation and creativity at work across the world. [Available in English, French and Spanish].
Tools for public outreach
Our outreach tools are free resources to assist IP offices and organizations in planning and implementing public campaigns to build better understanding and use of IP.
WIPO Awards Program
WIPO's award programs recognize innovators and creators, big and small, companies and individuals. The WIPO Awards Program includes both global and national awards.
IP and...
Frontier Technologies
Find out how frontier technologies, including AI, are changing how we do business, how we innovate and create.
Gender equality
Men and women are equally as creative and innovative. Yet, women remain under-represented in many areas. Find out how WIPO works to tackle this issue.
Sustainable Development Goals
IP is a critical incentive for innovation and creativity, which in turn are key to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] success.
IP for...
Business
Learn how an understanding of IP can help businesses become more competitive and manage related risks.
Universities
Universities and public research institutions are the factories of the knowledge economy. Discover how IP policies and knowledge transfer are critical to their work.
Judiciaries
Find out how WIPO is supporting judiciaries in dealing with the novel legal questions that often arise from IP disputes in a rapidly changing technological environment.