When it comes to communications, intellectual property is a complex issue, governed by a number of laws designed to protect the rights of creators. In France, all so-called original creations are protected by copyright, with no special formalities required. To be able to use an original creation, you need to have obtained the rights from its author, whether by assignment or purchase.

Dissuade with the copyright symbol

Merging aesthetics and narrative, creation and graphic design are the fruit of undeniable thought and technical know-how. As original works of the mind, they take time to complete, illustrating the personality and creative potential of their creator. Copyright, represented by the acronym ©, only has legal value in Common Law countries (USA, Australia, Canada...). However, an artist, designer or photographer can use it as a deterrent to indicate that the work is protected by copyright.

Protecting your creations through intellectual property

Whether on the web or social networks, a work can easily be copied or counterfeited. To remedy this problem, it's important to be able to prove that you are indeed the original author of the creation and justify its anteriority. To do this, it is useful to date the work and identify the author. To provide irrefutable proof, there are various solutions:
  • Use theSOLEAU envelope (INPI): a sealed envelope, kept for 5 to 10 years, which contains the design, the precise date of creation and the identity of its creator. If necessary, it can be opened under bailiff's supervision. There is also a digital version called "e-soleau".
  • Register content with a collective management society (SACEM, SGDL, SCAM, SACD, APP).
  • Deposit the contents with a notary or bailiff.
  • Send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to yourself without opening the envelope.

Two types of protection

Rights are attached to the person of the author. To use a protected work, you need to obtain the author's permission.prior authorization of the latter. In copyright, a distinction must be made between moral rights and property rights. Moral rights, which are non-transferable and perpetual, include the right of authorship, the right to respect for the integrity of the work, the right of disclosure and the right of withdrawal. Visit property rightsare time-limited: they last for a period of during the author's lifetime and 70 years after his death. These rights may be transferred to a third party. They include reproduction, representation, exploitation, adaptation and translation rights. Being freely transferableThese rights protect the author's economic interests. The author can authorize the reproduction or representation of his work, in return for remuneration specified in a contract listing the rights assigned. The author may also transfer free of charge to a third partyprovided that it is expressly granted and justified. Effective communication is therefore based on compliance with the law intellectual property. By understanding and judiciously applying copyright, communication professionals contribute to an ecosystem where innovation and legality combine to create a new world of entertainment. dialogue based on trust.