What does GC mean in GENERAL

Copyright is an exclusive legal right given to the creator of a literary, artistic, musical or other creative work to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic or musical material and to authorize others to do the same.

The general rule is that the creator of a work owns the copyright in it. If a work has more than one author then they are joint owners of the copyright. An employer may also own some rights if an employee creates something in the course of their employment.

Copyright protects original works such as music, literature and art. It also covers things like software code, broadcasts and websites. Copyright typically lasts 50 years after the death of an author for books and other written works; 70 years after publication for films; and 25 years after creation for computer programs.

In most countries including the UK, copyright gives creators exclusive rights over their works for up to seventy years after their death (for literary and artistic works). In some countries it can be even longer – in France it can be ninety-five years from first publication or 120 years from creation whichever is sooner.

No, you don’t have to register your work with any specific agency or organisation in order to receive protection under copyright law - your work will automatically be covered by copyright protection once you create it. However; registering your work with a reputable organisation such as The Writers' Guild can help protect your rights if ever someone challenges your ownership over a particular piece of material.

Generally speaking no - you should always seek permission from the original owner before using any copyrighted material unless there is an exception such as fair use which allows limited use without permission for certain purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting etc.

Fair Use is the legal right to use copyrighted materials without obtaining explicit permission from its owner. This privilege applies mainly for uses related to research, education, or personal enjoyment but always requires consideration of four factors known as 'the four factor test'. These include 1) The purpose & character of use 2) The nature of the copyrighted material 3) Amount & substantiality 4) Effect upon potential market value.

Yes- although fair use does allow limited uses without permission under certain circumstances this does not mean that there are no restrictions on how you can use trademarked or copyrighted materials belonging to another person or organization.You must still abide by all applicable laws and respect financial privacies.

If you violate someone else's copyrights then you are likely to face serious penalties such as being sued by them for damages incurred by their loss of business due to lost sales; receiving hefty fines; having criminal charges brought against you; and even imprisonment depending on where you live.