Copyright legislation provides for the protection of authors, artists and other creators for their
literary and artistic creations, generally referred to as “works”.
“Related rights” constitute a field closely related to copyright
and cover rights similar or identical to those contemplated,
although sometimes more limited and of shorter duration.
The beneficiaries of related rights are: performers (namely,
actors and musicians), who have rights over their
performances; producers of phonograms (for example,
compact discs), which have rights over their sound
recordings; and radio broadcasting organizations, which
have rights over their radio and television programs. Among
the works protected by copyright are the following: novels,
poems, plays, reference documents, newspapers,
advertisements, programs
What rights confer copyright and related rights? The creators of
copyrighted works and their heirs and right holders (usually
referred to as “rights holders”) enjoy certain basic rights under
copyright, namely the exclusive right to use the work, or authorize
to third parties to use it, according to the agreed conditions Have
copyright and related rights been adapted to advances in
technology? The sphere of copyright and related rights has
expanded enormously in light of the spectacular technological
progress of recent decades, which, in turn, have led to new ways of
disseminating creations through forms of communication such as
satellite broadcasting, the compact discs and the DVD.
What advantages does copyright and related rights protection offer?
Protection by copyright and related rights is an essential component of
the promotion of creativity and innovation. Offering authors, artists and
creators incentives in the form of recognition and equitable economic
compensation gives free rein to productivity and encourages better
results.