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 This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.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.
In Virginia, a license for the use of a copyright refers to the permission granted by the owner of a copyrighted work to another party, allowing them to use, reproduce, distribute, or display the copyrighted material. This license outlines the terms and conditions under which the copyrighted work can be utilized, ensuring legal compliance and protecting the rights of the copyright holder. Keywords: Virginia, license, use of a copyright, permission, owner, copyrighted work, reproduce, distribute, display, terms and conditions, legal compliance, copyright holder. There are various types of licenses for the use of a copyright in Virginia, including: 1. Exclusive License: This type of license grants exclusive rights to the licensee, prohibiting the copyright holder from granting similar licenses to others. The licensee has full control over the copyright-protected work within the defined scope of the license. 2. Non-Exclusive License: Unlike an exclusive license, a non-exclusive license allows the copyright holder to grant multiple licenses to different parties simultaneously. The licensee has permission to use the copyrighted work, but the copyright holder can also grant the same rights to others. 3. Limited License: A limited license specifies certain restrictions or conditions for the use of a copyrighted work. It may limit the duration, scope, or purpose of the license, defining specific terms under which the work can be utilized. 4. Royalty-Free License: With a royalty-free license, the licensee pays a one-time fee to use the copyrighted work, without the need for additional payments based on usage or sales. The licensee is usually granted broad rights to utilize the work without limitations, once the initial fee is paid. 5. Conditional License: A conditional license imposes specific requirements or obligations on the licensee for the use of the copyrighted work. For example, the licensee may be required to attribute the work to the copyright holder, refrain from making modifications, or adhere to certain usage guidelines. 6. Sublicense: This type of license allows the licensee to grant licenses to others, enabling them to use the copyrighted work under agreed-upon terms. Sublicenses can be either exclusive or non-exclusive, depending on the rights conferred to the sublicense. When obtaining a license for the use of a copyright in Virginia, it is crucial to carefully review and understand the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. Consulting with an intellectual property attorney is highly recommended ensuring compliance with copyright laws and to protect the rights of all parties involved.
