Copyright in the United Kingdom (continued)
Do all copyright works qualify for copyright protection?
Any copyright work of any national of a state that is a signatory to the Berne Convention qualifies for copyright protection in the UK.
A work will not receive copyright protection with regard to infringements taking place in the United Kingdom unless it meets certain qualifying requirements set out in the Act 1988, ss.153–162.
For details of qualification by reference to author, country and place of transmission please see following link: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/ukpga_19880048_en_8#pt1-ch9-pb1-l1g155
Do I have to pay a fee and register copyright?
It is a fundamental principle of copyright that protection is automatic, synonymous with the work being reduced to a material form, with no formal registration process. Unlike some other intellectual property rights, trademarks for example, or patents, the creator of a copyright work does not have to register or pay fees.
Does copyright help me to protect my ideas?
Copyright does not protect ideas, rather protection is afforded for the way the idea or information is expressed, e.g. in writing, drawing, moving image. For example, the basic plot for a play is not protected by copyright. However, the play based on that plot is protected by copyright. However it is possible to protect some ideas which may be considered valuable through a confidentiality agreement.
Should I always include the © copyright symbol and author details?
It is not a requirement in the UK (or the Berne Convention) to stamp a work with the © copyright symbol, year of publication and name of the copyright holder. However, this is still an established practice in the UK and many other countries (and is advisable as it identifies the copyright holder and establishes the year the work was created). It is also used in relation to asserting an author’s ‘paternity’ moral rights. For more information on Moral Rights please click on Moral Rights. It is a condition for obtaining protection in those states who are members of the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC) but not of the Berne Convention).