Whether you’re a veteran or novice in the creative industry, these terms can sometimes throw us for a loop. Let’s refresh your memory with these 5 terms all creatives and content creators should be familiar with.
1. Intellectual Property (I.P)
Refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. Intellectual property rights are like any other property right. They allow creators, or owners, of patents, trademarks or copyrighted works to benefit from their own work or investment in a creation.
2. Royalty Free license
Often referred to as RF, in photography and the stock photo industry, refers to the right to use copyright material or intellectual property without the need to pay royalties or license fees for each use.
3. Rights Managed License
Often referred to as RM, in photography and the stock photo industry, refers to a copyright license which, if purchased by a user, allows the one-time use of the photo as specified by the license. If the user wants to use the photo for other uses an additional license needs to be purchased.
4. Copyright
Copyright laws grant authors, artists and other creators protection for their literary and artistic creations, generally referred to as “works”. The creators of works protected by copyright, and their heirs and successors (generally referred to as “right holders”), have certain basic rights under copyright law. They hold the exclusive right to use or authorize others to use the work on agreed terms. The right holder(s) of a work can authorize or prohibit:
- its reproduction in all forms, including print form and sound recording;
- its public performance and communication to the public;
- its broadcasting; its translation into other languages;
- and its adaptation, such as from a novel to a screenplay for a film.
Many types of works protected under the laws of copyright and related rights require mass distribution, communication hence, creators often transfer these rights to companies better able to develop and market the works, in return for compensation in the form of payments and/or royalties (compensation based on a percentage of revenues generated by the work).
5. Copyright Infringement
The use of works protected by copyright law without permission, infringing certain exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder, such as the right to reproduce, distribute, display or perform the protected work, or to make derivative works.
Kraasimages stand firm on protecting intellectual property and here’s why you should too.
- Because the progress and well-being of humanity is based on the capacity to create and invent new works in areas of technology and culture.
- Because the legal protection of new creations encourages further creation and innovation.
- Because promotion and protection of intellectual property spurs economic growth, creates new jobs and industries.
Realizing that intellectual property has the potential to be a catalyst for economic development and social and cultural well-being is vital. Be a part of the solution to strike a balance between the interests of creatives and the public interest, providing an environment in which creativity and invention can flourish, for the benefit of all.
Until next time …
