Copyrighting

In class Tuesday I learned a plethora of information about copyrighting that I can honestly say I had no prior knowledge of. In the past, my definition of copyrighting was so simple and I didn’t fully understand the parameters or avenues you have to go through in order for something to be officially copyrighted. After Tuesday’s session I found out that you don’t have to go through Title 17 to get something you constructed copyrighted. You’re not bound by it and you have other options to go about doing it. Another interesting fact I found out is the ACTUAL definition of a copyright. I used to think that you could get anything that was your idea copyrighted. I also thought that a patent and a copyright was the exact same thing. When in fact, a copyright is a protection on intellectual property that’s of a primarily creative or arguably artistic bend (ex. Poem, essay, etc.). A patent applies to devices or actual inventions (ex. Car, tool, physical devices, etc.).

The most important thing I found out on Tuesday, in my opinion, is the actual length of time something can be copyrighted. I didn’t think there was a specific parameter or time frame on a copyright. I found this to be false. In actuality, the term of copyright for US published works is now the author’s life along with an additional 70 years. I understand it but I can’t say that I fully agree with it. I understand the fact that in some cases there may be a need for revision. But in other cases, there’s work that just needs to be left alone and if someone attempted to revise or edit it, it would lose all of its value.