What is “Copyright‟ protection? Explain its relevance in computer applications.

^{Ans. A copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to authors of "original works of authorship." This includes literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other creative works. Material not protected by copyright (or otherwise protected) is available for use by anyone without the author's consent. A copyright holder can prevent others from copying, performing or otherwise using the work without his or her consent.}

^{Copyright is a legal right, existing globally in many countries, that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to determine and decide whether, and under what conditions, this original work may be used by others.}

^{Most jurisdictions recognize copyright limitations, allowing "fair" exceptions to the creator's exclusivity of copyright and giving users certain rights. The development of digital media and computer network technologies have prompted reinterpretation of these exceptions, introduced new difficulties in enforcing copyright, and inspired additional challenges to the philosophical basis of copyright law. Simultaneously, businesses with great economic dependence upon copyright, such as those in the music business, have advocated the extension and expansion of copyright and sought additional legal and technological enforcement.}

^{Copyrights can also be granted by private companies. Services of internet platform providers like YouTube, Facebook, GitHub, Hotmail, DropBox, Instagram, WhatsApp or Twitter only can be used when users grant the platform provider beforehand the right to co-use all uploaded content, including all material exchanged per email, chat or cloud-storage. These copyrights only apply for the firm that operates such a platform, no matter in what jurisdiction the platform-services are being offered.}

^{Relevance of copyright in Computer Aplication}

^{E-mail is protected by copyright. Information received in e-mail may be discussed, but the specific contents of e-mail have copyright protection.}

^{Usenet  postings may also be protected. These may be read and discussed by however, many people have access to the Usenet, but they cannot be reproduced and distributed in any way that may diminish the author's ability to profit from the original work  however farfetched such profit may seem. There is an interesting question concerning network postings, does the fact that anything you say in an on-line system can be downloaded and printed out by anyone who happens to read it create a different class of reproduction than quoting without permission from a commercial publication? If a journalist quotes something from an on-line system and does not obtain permission, did s/he steal it, or overhear it in a conversation? In such cases it can be concluded that whatever seems like fair use probably is, but that actual control of such use is impossible and that good manners are critically important.}

 ^{Computer programs, which might appear to be ideas, procedures, systems, or devices, may be registered as literary works under the law, and therefore, receive copyright.}