The owner of a copyright has the right to exclude any other person from reproducing, preparing derivative works, distributing, performing, displaying, or using the work covered by copyright for a specific period of time. Copyrighted work can be a literary work, musical work, dramatic work, pantomime, choreographic work, pictorial work, graphic work, sculptural work, motion picture, audiovisual work, sound recording, architectural work, mask works fixed in semiconductor chip products, or a computer program. Only a concrete "medium of expression" can be copyrighted, facts, ideas, procedures, processes, systems, methods of operation, concepts, principles or discoveries cannot themselves be copyrighted. Items to be copyrighted must be original and not the result of copying another copyrighted property.
Some jurisdictions also recognize "moral rights" of the creator of a work, such as the right to be credited for the work. Moral rights are rights of creators of copyrighted works generally recognized in civil law jurisdictions and, to a lesser extent, in some common law jurisdictions. They include the right of attribution, the right to have a work published anonymously or under a pseudonym, and the right to the integrity of the work. The preserving of the integrity of the work bars the work from alteration, distortion, or mutilation. Anything else that may detract from the artist's relationship with the work even after it leaves the artist's possession or ownership may bring these moral rights into play. Moral rights are distinct from any economic rights tied to copyrights. Even if an artist has assigned his or her rights to a work to a third party, he or she still maintains the moral rights to the work, unless waived.
A Montgomery County, Maryland Waiver of Moral Rights refers to a legal document that allows individuals to give up or waive their moral rights in relation to their creative work. Also known as an artistic waiver, this agreement is intended to give the creator or author the ability to waive their rights so that their work can be used, modified, or displayed in ways that may not align with their personal beliefs or values. Moral rights, which are separate from copyright or economic rights, protect the author's reputation and ensure their creative work is not distorted, mutilated, or used in a way that could harm their honor or reputation. By signing a Montgomery Maryland Waiver of Moral Rights, authors grant permission for their work to be altered, displayed publicly, or used for commercial purposes without being consulted or having control over its final presentation. There are several types of Montgomery Maryland Waiver of Moral Rights, including: 1. Full Waiver: This type of waiver allows the creator to completely relinquish all moral rights associated with their work. By doing so, they are giving up any control over how the work is reproduced, distributed, or displayed. This is often used in commercial settings where the freedom to modify the work is necessary. 2. Partial Waiver: In a partial waiver, the creator retains some moral rights, but grants limited use and modification rights. This allows for flexibility while still protecting the creator's core values or beliefs. 3. Lifetime Waiver: A lifetime waiver of moral rights grants permission for the work to be used or modified during the creator's lifetime only. After their death, their moral rights are reinstated, and further use or modifications would require permission from their estate or heirs. 4. Specific Works Waiver: This type of waiver applies only to specific works or projects, allowing the creator to retain their moral rights for any other works they produce. It provides more control and specificity over the use and modifications of certain pieces of work. Individuals considering a Montgomery Maryland Waiver of Moral Rights must carefully review the terms and conditions of the agreement. It is advisable to consult with legal counsel to ensure a thorough understanding of the implications and potential consequences of waiving moral rights. Keywords: Montgomery County, Maryland, Waiver of Moral Rights, artistic waiver, moral rights, copyright, economic rights, creator, author, reputation, control, full waiver, partial waiver, lifetime waiver, specific works' waiver, legal counsel.
