Copyright Law from Coursera

Copyright law is unique in the greater intellectual property regime, as it protects original expression that is fixed in a tangible medium and is the product of authorship. This course is designed for creative professionals — such as screenwriters, musicians, documentary filmmakers or artists — who want to understand the scope and limits of which works can enjoy U.S. copyright protection. The course will introduce students to the workings of copyright law through an examination of the system’s basic principles, rules, and institutions. Topics will include; the justifications for copyright law, copyrightable subject matter, authorship, the nature and scope of copyright’s exclusive rights, fair use, and remedies for infringement.

We will also explore real-world examples of legal battles surrounding copyright law, from the recent litigation over Robin Thicke’s hit song “Blurred Lines” to more peculiar cases such as the infamous “monkey selfie” case. By understanding what copyright does and does not protect, producers of creative expression will be able to protect and maximize the commercial value of their works.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Copyright?

We begin our examination of copyright law by exploring what works are eligible for copyright protection, and the basic requirements for attaining copyright protection.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores copyright law, which is standard in the creative industry

Taught by Shyam Balganesh, who are recognized for their work in copyright law

Examines copyright law, which is highly relevant to creative professionals

Covers unique perspectives are ideas that may add color to other topics and subjects

Develops professional skills or deep expertise in copyright law

Reviews summary

Copyright law for creatives

According to learners, this course provides a clear and accessible introduction to US copyright law, specifically tailored for creative professionals. Many found the explanations easy to understand, even for complex legal concepts. The inclusion of real-world examples, such as the Blurred Lines and monkey selfie cases, was frequently highlighted as making the material engaging and relevant. While highly praised for building a solid foundational understanding, a few students noted it serves primarily as an introduction and may lack the depth required for advanced legal questions. Overall, it is seen as a highly valuable resource for artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers navigating copyright issues.

Provides a strong base, but may lack advanced depth.

"It's a fantastic introduction to copyright law, covering all the basics you need to know."

"Great foundational course, but if you need deeply specific answers for complex situations, you'll likely need more resources."

"This course provides a solid overview, but doesn't delve into the nuances of international law or very specific niche issues."

"I felt I got a good handle on the fundamentals, which is exactly what I needed to start with."

Key doctrine of Fair Use is well explained.

"Understanding fair use was my main goal, and the course explained it thoroughly with practical examples."

"The module on limitations and exceptions, especially fair use, was incredibly helpful for my work."

"The breakdown of the factors involved in fair use was particularly clear."

"Felt much more confident about understanding fair use after this course."

Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.

"The instructor is clearly an expert and passionate about the subject, which made learning enjoyable."

"Loved the teaching style; the instructor made a potentially dry topic fascinating."

"Instructor's insights from experience added great value to the material."

"Excellent instructor who clearly explained complex legal ideas."

Course uses excellent real-world case studies.

"The real-world case studies, like the 'Blurred Lines' example, really helped illustrate the concepts and kept me engaged."

"Using actual legal battles made the material much more interesting and practical."

"I loved learning about the monkey selfie case – it made the abstract ideas concrete."

"The examples were perfectly chosen to show how copyright law applies in practice for creators."

Highly applicable to creative work and careers.

"As a musician, understanding fair use and my rights is crucial. This course gave me the tools I needed."

"This course is exactly what I needed as a documentary filmmaker to understand how to protect my work and use others' legally."

"Gave me practical knowledge I can apply immediately to my artistic practice."

"It's tailored perfectly for artists and writers navigating the digital age."

Explanations are easy to follow and understand.

"The instructor explained complex legal terms in a way that was very easy to understand, even for someone with no legal background."

"I appreciated how the course broke down difficult concepts into digestible parts."

"The lectures were crystal clear and made copyright law much less intimidating."

"Made the legal concepts approachable and clear."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Copyright Law with these activities:

Review copyright basics

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Refresh your understanding of basic copyright principles to strengthen your foundation for this course.

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Read through the U.S. Copyright Office website
Review any prior notes or materials on copyright law
Complete a practice quiz on copyright basics

Review Copyright Law Concepts

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Refreshes foundational understanding of copyright concepts

Browse courses on Copyright

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Define 'copyright' and its significance in protecting creative expression
Classify different types of works eligible for copyright protection

Complete the Copyright Basics Tutorial on the U.S. Copyright Office Website

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Reinforce your understanding of copyright law through interactive tutorials.

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Visit the U.S. Copyright Office website and locate the Copyright Basics tutorial.
Work through the tutorial, taking notes on key concepts.
Complete the quiz at the end of the tutorial to test your comprehension.

Four other activities

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Summarize a Copyright Law Case

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Summarizing a real-world case enhances understanding of copyright law's application

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Select a significant copyright case involving original expression
Analyze the facts, legal principles, and court's reasoning
Write a concise and informative summary highlighting the key legal issues and their resolution

Analyze Copyright Fair Use Scenarios

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Applying fair use principles strengthens the ability to navigate copyright's limitations

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Review the criteria for fair use
Evaluate hypothetical situations and determine whether the use of copyrighted material qualifies as fair use

Participate in a Copyright Law Discussion Group

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Engage with peers and discuss complex copyright issues.

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Find or create a discussion group focused on copyright law.
Participate in discussions, sharing your insights and learning from others.
Present a case study or topic for discussion, facilitating a deeper understanding.

Create a Copyright Infringement Scenario and Analysis

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Apply your knowledge of copyright law to a practical scenario.

Browse courses on Copyright Infringement

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Develop a hypothetical scenario involving potential copyright infringement.
Identify the relevant copyright issues and conduct a fair use analysis.
Write a detailed report outlining your analysis and conclusions.

Career center

Learners who complete Copyright Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Writer

Knowing copyright law is very important for Writers. Copyright Law provides a good foundation for Writers who want to publish their works and protect their creative expression

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Publisher

Publishers need to be extremely well versed in copyright law to ensure that they are protecting the rights of their authors as well as their own company.

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Filmmaker

Copyright Law is very important for Filmmakers. This course will help Filmmakers understand the complexities of copyright law and how it pertains to the film industry, helping them avoid or win any copyright-related legal disputes.

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Entertainment Lawyer

Entertainment Lawyers specialize in copyright law since understanding the copyright protections available is crucial to carrying out their duties. Lawyers who practice in entertainment law can use this course to enhance their knowledge of copyright protection.

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Photographer

Copyright Law will provide Photographers with a strong foundation for understanding how to protect their work and avoid copyright infringements.

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Multimedia Artist

Copyright Law is very relevant for Multimedia Artists, who need to understand how to protect their artistic works. This course will help Multimedia Artists understand the legal side of copyright law which will help them make the right decisions for their artistic pursuits.

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Editor

Editors often deal with copyright issues when working on manuscripts. Copyright Law will provide Editors with a foundation in copyright law which will assist them in their day-to-day activities.

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Art dealer

Copyright Law is also important for Art Dealers as they need to understand how to protect the work of artists they represent and are selling. Knowing copyright law can help Art Dealers ensure the integrity of the art they are selling.

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Librarian

Librarians need to understand copyright law as they work with copyrighted materials all the time. This course will give Librarians greater insight into the legal issues affecting the materials within their libraries.

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Bookstore Owner

Copyright Law will help Bookstore Owners understand the legal issues involved when selling books, especially if they are self-published, which will help them make the right decisions when acquiring books.

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