Page 18 - Copyright 101_latest

CREA TIVEFIRST COPYRIGHT 101

B. Assignment of copyright

Assignment means transfer of ownership in an existing work or future
work, although transfer of ownership in future work will take place only
when such works come into existence.

The author or owner of copyright in a work may assign the copyright in
his work, wholly or partially, for a limited term or entire term of copyright,
and for a certain or all territories of the world. Ownership is therefore
transferable.

For example: In a lm, there are different set of rights such as music
rights, satellite rights, digital rights, theatrical rights, remake rights, etc. A
producer may assign the music rights to a music label for a term of 60
years for territory of whole world or may choose to assign such rights
only for limited term and limited territory.

However, the author’s right to receive royalty is not assignable or
transferable save and except in favour of his legal heirs or a copyright
society.

For example: when a producer engages a music composer for compos-
ing music composition for a song, the composer can assign the copyright
in the composition. However, the composer cannot assign his right to
receive royalties to the producer. The composer can however assign such
royalty rights to a copyright society such as IPRS to collect royalties on
his behalf.

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