A license is a privilege entitling the licensee to do something that he would not be entitled to do without the license. To license or grant a license is to give permission. A license authorizes the holder to do something that he or she would not be entitled to do without the license.
A Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of "original works of authorship, "including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:
" To reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords;
" To prepare derivative works based upon the work;
" To distribute copies or phonorecords of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending;
" To perform the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
" To display the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work; and
" In the case of sound recordings*, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission.
Illinois License for the Use of a Copyright: A Detailed Description In Illinois, a license for the use of a copyright functions as legal permission granted by the copyright holder to someone else to use their copyrighted material in a specific way or for a particular period. It ensures that the authorized party has the right to use, distribute, reproduce, display, or perform the copyrighted work while the copyright owner maintains his exclusive rights. Different types of licenses exist in Illinois for the use of a copyright, each serving a distinct purpose and catering to various needs. Some notable types of licenses include: 1. Exclusive License: An exclusive license provides the authorized party with exclusive rights to use the copyrighted material within the terms specified in the agreement. The copyright holder relinquishes their right to grant licenses to other parties during the duration of the exclusive license. 2. Non-Exclusive License: In contrast to an exclusive license, a non-exclusive license allows the copyright holder to grant licenses to multiple parties simultaneously. The authorized user can use the copyrighted work alongside others, either in a specific region or on a broader scale. 3. Sublicense: A sublicensing agreement is used when an authorized licensee wants to grant partial rights to others. The sublicensed party receives permission to use the copyrighted material under terms determined by both the copyright holder and the original licensee. 4. Creative Commons License: Although not specific to Illinois, Creative Commons licenses are widely used to facilitate the sharing and use of creative works. These licenses grant varying degrees of permissions, such as allowing commercial use, modifications, or requiring attribution, while still protecting the copyright owner's rights. When obtaining an Illinois license for the use of a copyright, it is crucial to clearly define the scope and limitations of use, duration, and any potential royalties or fees associated with the license. Moreover, both parties should carefully establish the rights and responsibilities of each party involved to avoid infringing on the copyright holder's exclusive rights. It is important to note that copyright law can be complex, and consulting with an intellectual property attorney is highly recommended ensuring compliance with all relevant legal requirements and to adequately protect the rights of both the copyright holder and the authorized party.
