(Minghui.org) For practitioners involved in creating, publishing, or distributing content to raise awareness, it's important to be clear on the regulations regarding copyright and distribution licenses for works from US companies.
Websites, books, and newspapers, as well as their electronic versions, are accessible and available for purchase in Taiwan and Europe. However, if these materials are to be distributed in large quantities, does a company need to get the copyright from the US and obtain a local distribution license?
Copyright laws, distribution regulations, and licensing requirements vary in each region, as detailed below:
US copyright: If the printed material is copyrighted in the United States, the copyright is generally valid worldwide and protected by international conventions (such as the Berne Convention). This means that US copyrights automatically take effect in most countries without the need for additional registration.
Local market copyright protection: Even though US copyrights may automatically take effect in other countries, if the printed material is to be widely distributed in those regions, local laws may require authorization or agreements, especially in certain cases, those countries may require additional copyright registration.
Regulations vary from place to place. For example, Taiwan’s distribution regulation generally do not require special licenses, but if it involves large-scale publications such as books and magazines, it is best to confirm whether the publication needs to comply with Taiwan’s publishing management regulations (such as ISBN registration and publication regulations of the Ministry of Culture). If the printed material involves sensitive topics, it also needs to comply with local content censorship regulations.
Another example is that in Europe, regulations vary considerably in different countries, but most countries follow EU guidelines. Publications generally need to comply with local publication regulations before entering the market, such as ISBN registration and tax registration, and may require specific distribution licenses, especially if it involves large-scale distribution or requires special legal compliance.
Translation and adaptation: If the printed material needs to be translated or adapted, it usually requires authorization from the original author or publisher. Even if the original copyright is already effective in other regions, the translation or adaptation still needs to be authorized.
Trademarks and brands: If the printed material involves the use of certain trademarks or brand names, local trademark authorization or licenses may be required, especially during market promotion or sales.