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 This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.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.
Massachusetts License for the use of a Copyright refers to the authorization granted by the state of Massachusetts to individuals or organizations for the lawful use of copyrighted material within its jurisdiction. Copyrights protect original works such as literary, musical, artistic, or dramatic creations. In Massachusetts, there are various types of licenses for the use of copyrights, including: 1. Reproduction License: This license grants permission to reproduce copyrighted material, either in whole or in part. It allows individuals or organizations to make copies of the copyrighted work for different purposes, such as printing, publishing, or distributing. 2. Performance License: A performance license enables individuals or organizations to publicly perform copyrighted works. This applies to various mediums like theater performances, musical performances, dance recitals, or public readings of literary works. 3. Synchronization License: This type of license grants permission to synchronize copyrighted music with visual content, such as in films, TV shows, advertisements, or video games. It allows the audiovisual reproduction of copyrighted material. 4. Broadcast License: A broadcast license permits the transmission or dissemination of copyrighted works via television, radio, or other broadcasting platforms. This license applies to programs, songs, movies, or other copyrighted content intended for public consumption. 5. Distribution License: A distribution license allows individuals or organizations to distribute copyrighted material, whether physically or digitally. It authorizes the sale, rental, or lending of copyrighted works like books, music, movies, or software. 6. Public Display License: This license allows individuals or organizations to publicly display copyrighted works, such as artworks, sculptures, photographs, or other visual works. It applies to exhibitions, galleries, museums, or any public space where copyrighted material is exhibited. It is important to note that specific licensing requirements and regulations may vary depending on the nature of the copyrighted work, the intended use, and the copyright owner's preferences. Furthermore, it is essential for individuals or organizations to understand and comply with Massachusetts copyright law while obtaining the necessary licenses for the use of copyrighted material.
