copyright monopoly

Copyright protection is said to be a qualified monopoly as the area of law does not create rights to prevent competing works that are created independently. Copyright allows reproductions for certain limited purposes, amongst them criticism and review, research and private study. These defences have become quite technical, so although appearing to be quite broad, the defences are narrow in application.

Usage: The copist was entitled to copy aspect of the copyright work as the copyright monopoly is not an absolute monopoly in the sense of patent rights.

Related Words: copyright infringement; duration of copyright; author; literary work; graphic work; artistic work; Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 UK; first owner of copyright; intellectual property; intellectual property rights; fair dealing.