Copyrights
Copyright is governed by the Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 (as amended) and its Regulations (Section 13).
A copyright is an exclusive right granted by law for a limited period to an author, designer, etc. for his/her original work.
Copyright grants creator/authors the ability to control the use of the work created and gives to authors certain exclusive rights:
- Make copies (ex. a download, PDF email attachment, photocopy or scan, etc.)
- Distribute copies (ex. sharing on the internet, sending in an email)
- Prepare derivatives based on the original work (ex. a translation, a sequel, a spin-off)
- Perform the work publicly (ex. act out, read aloud, play for an audience)
- Display the work publicly (ex. posting on a web site)
Copyright life span
The lifespan of copyright depends on the type of work protected:
- The copyright of literacy works lasts for 50 years after death of the author.
- The copyright of computer programs lasts for 50 years after the first copies were made available to the public.
- For sound recordings, the copyright lasts for 50 years from the day the work was first broadcast.
- For films, 50 years from the date the film was shown.