Copyright law is automatically granted to an author or creator of a work as soon as the work is created.
Although the author or creator of a work does not have to register the work, by registering it they make the copyright more visible..
Subject to exceptions (depending on the category of work), works in South Africa are protected for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years from the end of the year in which the author dies.Sep 7, 2023.
Copyright is secured automatically when you create an original work that people can see or hear such as a book, painting or music.
Most works eligible for copyright protection do not require registration or other formalities, except for cinematograph films..
Saying and thinking something will not qualify the idea for copyright protection.
To be protected under copyright law the idea must be expressed in a tangible form that is: written, composed or broadcasted.
Even though in tangible format slogans, titles or names cannot be protected under copyright law..
'This Act regulates copyright.
It protects the following works: literary works, musical works, artistic works, cinematograph film works, sound recordings, broadcasts, programme-carrying signals, published editions and computer programs.
The duration of copyright in the above-mentioned works is not less than 50 years..
Copyright Act 98 of 1978..
To amend the Copyright Act, 1978, so as to define certain words and expressions; to allow for further limitations and exceptions regarding the reproduction of copyright works; to provide for the sharing of royalties in copyright works; to provide for the payment of royalties in respect of literary, musical, artistic .
