ISM 4220 Business Data Communications Study Notes

Copyright infringement occurs when someone violates the exclusive rights granted to the creator or
owner of a copyrighted work without their permission. Copyright law protects original works of
authorship, such as literary, artistic, musical, and other creative works, by granting the creator or owner
certain rights, including the rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display the work.
Examples of copyright infringement include:
1. Reproduction: Copying all or a substantial part of a copyrighted work without authorization.
This could involve making photocopies, scanning, downloading, or otherwise duplicating the
work without permission.
2. Distribution: Distributing copies of a copyrighted work to the public without the copyright
owner's consent. This includes selling, renting, lending, or sharing copies of the work.
3. Public Performance: Performing a copyrighted work, such as a play, musical composition, or
film, in public without the appropriate license or permission from the copyright owner.
4. Public Display: Displaying copyrighted works, such as paintings, sculptures, or photographs, in
public without authorization from the copyright owner.
5. Derivative Works: Creating derivative works based on a copyrighted work without permission.
Derivative works include adaptations, translations, modifications, or other works based on the
original.
Copyright infringement can occur in various forms, including online infringement, where copyrighted
works are shared or distributed through the internet without permission. It's important for individuals
and organizations to respect copyright law and obtain the necessary permissions or licenses before
using copyrighted works to avoid legal consequences such as lawsuits, damages, and injunctions.
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works,
designs, symbols, names, and images, which are protected by law. Intellectual property rights grant the
creators or owners exclusive rights to use their creations for a certain period, allowing them to benefit
financially and exercise control over their intellectual assets.
There are several types of intellectual property rights, including:
1. Patents: Patents protect inventions and innovations, granting the inventor exclusive rights to
make, use, and sell their invention for a limited period (usually 20 years).
2. Copyrights: Copyrights protect original works of authorship, including literary, artistic,
musical, and other creative works. Copyright grants the creator exclusive rights to reproduce,
distribute, perform, and display their work for a certain period (usually the lifetime of the
creator plus 70 years).
3. Trademarks: Trademarks protect symbols, names, logos, and slogans used to identify and
distinguish goods or services in the marketplace. Trademark rights prevent others from using
similar marks that could cause confusion among consumers.
4. Trade Secrets: Trade secrets protect confidential information, such as formulas, processes,
customer lists, and other proprietary knowledge that provides a competitive advantage to a
business. Unlike patents, trade secrets are protected indefinitely as long as they remain secret.
5. Industrial Designs: Industrial designs protect the visual appearance or aesthetic aspects of a
product, such as its shape, configuration, or ornamentation. Industrial design rights prevent
others from copying or imitating the design of a product.
 6. Plant Varieties: Plant variety rights protect new varieties of plants that are distinct, uniform,
and stable. Plant breeders can obtain exclusive rights to produce, sell, and distribute their new
plant varieties.
Intellectual property rights play a crucial role in promoting innovation, creativity, and economic growth
by providing incentives for individuals and organizations to invest in research, development, and
creative endeavors. These rights also help protect the interests of creators and owners by allowing them
to control the use of their intellectual assets and prevent unauthorized exploitation or infringement by
others.