Statement of Company Values
We at Illusio Design recognize and respect intellectual property rights. As
part of our mission to maintain the highest standards for ethical conduct, we
are committed to fulfilling our moral and legal obligations with respect to our
use of copyright-protected works.
Sources of U.S. Copyright Law
Article I of the U.S. Constitution authorizes Congress to pass legislation "to
promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts by securing for limited Times
to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and
Discoveries." On the basis of the Constitution, Congress has enacted the
Copyright Act found at Title 17 of the U.S. Code.
Statement of Corporate Obligations Regarding Copyright
As a matter both of moral integrity and of adherence to U.S. copyright law,
Illusio Design sets forth these policies for all U.S.-based employees and/or
contractors to demonstrate our respect for intellectual property and compliance
with the law:
1. No employee and/or contractor of Illusio Design may reproduce any copyrighted
work in print, video or electronic form in violation of the law, and the easiest
way to ensure no violation is by receiving express written permission of the
copyright holder - with acception to the
fair use doctrine. Our works are protected by copyright laws in the U.S.
even if they are not registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and even if they
do not carry the copyright symbol (©). Copyrighted works include, but are
not limited to, printed articles from publications, TV and radio programs, videotapes,
music performances, photographs, training materials, manuals, documentation,
software programs, databases and World Wide Web pages. In general, the laws that
apply to printed materials are also applicable to visual and electronic media.
Examples include diskettes, CD-ROMs and World Wide Web pages.
2. For all copyrighted works not covered, Illusio Design directs its employees
and/or contractors to obtain permission from copyright holders directly, or their
licensing representative, when the reproduction exceeds fair use. Alternatively,
employees may request permission online at copyright.com.
3. Illusio Design designates Charles Spidell as the copyright officer to administer
our company's copyright policy. Charles Spidell at Illusio Design can help you
determine whether a work is covered by the CCC license and how to handle any
special copyright issues. Questions concerning copyright procedures, including
fair use, should be addressed to Charles Spidell.
Outline of Compliance Procedures
To obtain permission to reproduce copyrighted works, the employee should contact
the Rights and Licensing Department of the copyright holder or request permissions
online at copyright.com. Questions on specific procedures should be directed
to the copyright officer named above.
Instructions for Handling an Incident of Copyright
InfringementIllusio Design encourages its employees and/or contractors to educate their
peers on copyright compliance. If any employee and/or contractor witnesses a
potential copyright infringement, we encourage the employee and/or contractor
to bring the matter to the attention of the individual as well as to our copyright
officer named above. Employees and/or contractors who illegally duplicate copyrighted
works may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. |
What
does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship
including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as poetry, novels,
movies, songs, computer software and architecture. Copyright does not protect
facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way
these things are expressed.
Can I copyright my website?
The original authorship appearing on a website may be protected by copyright.
This includes writings, artwork, photographs, and other forms of authorship protected
by copyright. Procedures for registering the contents of a website may be found
in Circular
66, Copyright Registration for Online Works.
Can I copyright my domain name?
Copyright law does not protect domain names. The
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit
organization that has assumed the responsibility for domain name system management,
administers the assignation of domain names through accredited registers.
What
is a work made for hire?
Although the general rule is that the person who creates the work is its author,
there is an exception to that principle; the exception is a work made for hire,
which is a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment;
or a work specially ordered or commissioned in certain specified circumstances.
When a work qualifies as a work made for hire, the employer or commissioning
party is considered to be the author.
When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in
a tangible form so that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of
a machine or device.
Could I be sued for using somebody else's work? How about
quotes or samples?
If you use a copyrighted work without authorization, the owner may be entitled
to bring an infringement action against you. There are circumstances under the fair use doctrine where a quote or a sample may be used without permission.
However, in cases of doubt, the Copyright Office recommends that permission be
obtained.
Somebody infringed my copyright. What can I do?
A party may seek to protect his or her copyrights against unauthorized use by filing a civil lawsuit in federal district court. If you believe that your copyright has been infringed, consult an attorney. In cases of willful infringement for profit, the U.S. Attorney may initiate a criminal investigation. source: http://www.copyright.gov |
