The application of copyright law aims at protecting creative works, such as: books, music, theatre works, films, photographs, figurative arts, translations, computer programs, etc.
Copyright can be applied as soon as the work is created, without registration.

RIGHTS
It grants the author the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the work.
Copyright may be assigned or a licence for its use may be granted.

DURATION
In Italy the duration of copyright is of 70 years from the author’s death. Different duration is provided dipending on the type of the creative work.

SOFTWARE REGISTRATION
The possibility to apply copyright to the protection of software is particularly interesting.

REGISTRATION OF WEBSITES
Copyright can also be applied to Internet websites, as they can be made up of a particular innovative structure, which contains texts, images, sounds or other elements which are obviously protected by Copyright.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works (Paris, July 24, 1971).
Universal Copyright Convention (Paris, July 24, 1971).
GATT-TRIPS Agreements (Agreements on the aspects of the rights of Intellectual Property concerning trade) April 15, 1994.

OFFICES / ORGANIZATIONS
SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) for unpublished works.
Office of Literary Property for published works.
Special Public Register for Computer Programs – OLAF Section