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  Copyright Basics: What are the copyright holder's exclusive rights?
 

The owner of a copyright has six exclusive rights:

  • To reproduce the work.
  • To distribute the work.
  • To create derivative works*.
  • To publicly perform* the work.
  • To publicly display* the work.
  • To publicly perform sound recordings by means of a digital audio transmission.

 

Definitions

Derivative Work - A "Derivative Work" is a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any other form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted. A work consists of editorial revision, annotation, elaboration, or other modifications, which, as a whole, represent an original work of authorship, is a "Derivative Work".

To perform or display a work, "Publicly" means:

  1. to perform or display it a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of family and its social acquaintances is gathered; or
  2. to transmit or otherwise communicate a performance or display of the work to a place specified by clause (1) or to the public by means of any device or process, whether the members of the public are capable of receiving the performance or display receive it in the same place or in separate places and at the same time or at different times.

 

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The mission of the University Copyright Office is to educate the Purdue University community on copyright.
The information contained on the UCO site should not be considered legal advice.
Individuals should consult their own attorneys.

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