Copyright Law Day 2024: Significance, History & Some Interesting Facts

Every year, January 1^st is observed as Copyright Law Day to pay tribute to the great benefits of copyright for all the authors, publishers, and other creative workers. Copyright refers to the owners’ legal right to their intellectual property and also gives them the exclusive right to further use, distribute, display or replicate their material for a specific period of time. The concept of copyright wasn’t always there and the need for it was felt in the 1400s with the invention of the printing press. Let us learn few details about the Copyright Law Day 2024 here from this article.

Copyright Law Day 2024 Date

We have shared below the dates of Copyright Law to be observed in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. This special day is observed globally on January 1 every year.

Copyright Law Day 2024 Overview

Copyright Law Day Significance

Copyright Law Day is observed with the objective to appreciate the role of copyright law in ensuring legal use of creation by any individual. Use of copyright makes sure that the valuable work of any creative artists does not get copied or pirated.

The day is also meant to encourage people to support and uphold copyright law by saying no to its violation or infringement in any form. The upcoming Copyright Law Day will be celebrated with the same view in mind.

Check about International Public domain day

Copyright Law Day History

The first ever Licensing Act was introduced by the English government in the 16^th century after the introduction of the printing press in the 1400s and 1500s.

The measure was taken in the light of an increasing need to control book publications. According to this Licensing act, the Stationers’ Company (English printers’ organization) had the power to require all lawfully printed books to be entered into its register. However, this Act came to an end in 1695 and didn’t get renewed.

15 years after the Licensing Act expired, the English parliament enacted the Statute of Anne, the first Copyright Ac in 1710. according to the statute, publishers got legal protection of 14 years on any book they publish, including 21 years of protection for any book already in print.

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However, this statute didn’t apply in America despite it being an English colony and it was only post independence that Copyright Clause came in the United States Constitution. In 1787, James Madison and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney submitted proposals to Congress for limited copyright and patents after which copyright came into existence in US.

How is Copyright Law Day celebrated?

There is no particular celebration for the Copyright Law Day and is observed in a very general manner. People take this day as an opportunity to learn more about copyright and its importance.

The day is very important for the writers and authors as it gives them a mean to protect their creative and valuable work. To show your gratitude for those creative artists, pledge on this day to not to involve in piracy or copyright infringement of any kind.

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Always paying the actual price for a book or software or movie cassette ad not going for a pirated version could be the best way to observe Copyright Law Day on any day of the year. The Copyright Law Day is generally celebrated without a theme.

Some Interesting Facts

Check out some facts about copyright that not many people know.

• The first Licensing Act appeared in the 16th century in England.
• Copyright expires about 70 years after the creator’s death in Europe and the work enters the public domain.
• Ideas or thoughts cannot be copyrighted but only the production of the idea.
• There is a termination right that allows creators to terminate agreements of their exclusive rights.
• Creative works are automatically protected by Copyright once it is fixed in a tangible medium of expression.

Frequently Asked Questions