Copyright helps protect the hard work of creators
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a concept and law that gives creators control over how their work is used by others. It means that if someone creates something original, like a song, book, drawing, or photo, they have the right to decide who can use it, how it can be used, and for how long.
What Is Copyright? A Simple Guide for Teens in Swansea
How do you make something copyright in the UK?
Imagine you write a story, draw a picture or record a song. You’d probably want people to respect your work, right? That’s where copyright comes in. It’s a kind of legal protection for things you create.
Copyright is like an invisible shield around anything you make: words, music, drawings, films, and more. In Britain, as soon as you create something and fix it in a form people can see or hear, you automatically get copyright. You don’t have to pay a fee or register it – it just happens.
These rights last for a set time, then the work moves into the public domain, which means anyone can use it without asking.
Copyright helps content creators be treated fairly for their work.
The 70-year Rule of Thumb
The author J R R Tolkien, famous for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, died in 1973. In the UK, copyright usually lasts until 70 years after the creator’s death. So Tolkien’s original books will stay under copyright until the end of 2043. However, republished and reworked editions may stay in copyright for longer – until 70 years after their author’s death.
In 1928, Mickey Mouse first appeared in the cartoon Steamboat Willie. In the United States, that specific cartoon entered the public domain on 1 January 2024, which means people there can now show or use it without Disney’s permission. In the UK, however, because Walt Disney died in 1966, his creations (including Steamboat Willie) remain under copyright here until the end of 2036 – 70 years after his death.
Copyright is important because it makes sure that people who create things —like stories, songs, videos or drawings — are treated fairly and can keep control over their own work.
Why Copyright Matters for Content Creators Today
In the 21st century, anyone can share creations online for the world to see. Copyright helps creators:
- Earn money by selling or licensing their work.
- Keep control over how their work is used.
- Get credit whenever someone shares or adapts their work.
Without copyright, people could take a content creators hard work, share it for free, or change it in ways the creator doesn’t like. Copyright makes sure a person is recognised and rewarded for their hard work.
Protecting ideas helps artists, musicians, and creators.
Respecting Creativity: Why Copyright Matters
Copying someone else’s work without permission might not seem like a big deal, but it can cause serious problems. It can take away money and credit from the person who actually created it, and it can make people feel like their ideas don’t matter.
If everyone ignored copyright, artists, musicians, writers, and even YouTubers might stop creating new things because their work wouldn’t be protected.
Young people in Swansea can help by understanding and respecting copyright. If you want to use someone’s work, ask permission or check if it’s allowed in the license agreement. If you create something yourself, know that you have rights too. Sharing fairly and giving credit where it’s due helps make the internet a better and more respectful place for everyone.
