Assignment of copyright refers to the legal transfer of the exclusive rights of an original creative work from the copyright owner (assignor) to another individual or entity (assignee). An assignment typically involves the transfer of the entire bundle of copyright rights, including reproduction, distribution, public display, performance, and creation of derivative works, to name a few.
This legal process allows the assignor to relinquish their ownership and control over the copyrighted work, thereby enabling the assignee to exercise these exclusive rights for their own benefit. The assignment of copyright is an important element in intellectual property law as it facilitates the commercial exploitation, dissemination, and protection of creative works.
The assignment of copyright is typically executed through a written contract, known as a copyright assignment agreement, which outlines the specific terms and conditions of the transfer. This agreement may cover vital details such as the scope of rights being assigned, territorial limitations, duration of the assignment, consideration or payment, royalty or licensing arrangements, and any additional conditions or restrictions deemed necessary by the parties involved.
A valid assignment of copyright requires the assignment agreement to be in writing and signed by both the assignor and the assignee. Once the assignment is complete, the assignor loses their rights over the copyrighted work, and the assignee becomes the new copyright owner, entitled to exercise the exclusive rights granted by copyright law.
