The owner of a copyright has the right to exclude any other person from reproducing, preparing derivative works, distributing, performing, displaying, or using the work covered by copyright for a specific period of time. Copyrighted work can be a literary work, musical work, dramatic work, pantomime, choreographic work, pictorial work, graphic work, sculptural work, motion picture, audiovisual work, sound recording, architectural work, mask works fixed in semiconductor chip products, or a computer program. Only a concrete "medium of expression" can be copyrighted, facts, ideas, procedures, processes, systems, methods of operation, concepts, principles or discoveries cannot themselves be copyrighted. Items to be copyrighted must be original and not the result of copying another copyrighted property.
Some jurisdictions also recognize "moral rights" of the creator of a work, such as the right to be credited for the work. Moral rights are rights of creators of copyrighted works generally recognized in civil law jurisdictions and, to a lesser extent, in some common law jurisdictions. They include the right of attribution, the right to have a work published anonymously or under a pseudonym, and the right to the integrity of the work. The preserving of the integrity of the work bars the work from alteration, distortion, or mutilation. Anything else that may detract from the artist's relationship with the work even after it leaves the artist's possession or ownership may bring these moral rights into play. Moral rights are distinct from any economic rights tied to copyrights. Even if an artist has assigned his or her rights to a work to a third party, he or she still maintains the moral rights to the work, unless waived.
Tennessee Waiver of Moral Rights The Tennessee Waiver of Moral Rights refers to the legal document that allows individuals to waive their moral rights as creators of original works in the state of Tennessee, USA. This waiver relinquishes certain rights and protections typically afforded to artists, authors, and other creators under copyright law. Moral rights are important for creators as they provide them with control over their work, ensuring they are attributed appropriately and preventing any unauthorized modifications or distortions that may harm their reputation. However, the waiver of moral rights allows creators in Tennessee to voluntarily give up these specific rights. There are various types of Tennessee Waiver of Moral Rights, which include: 1. Waiver of Attribution Right: This waiver relinquishes the right of the creator to be identified as the author or originator of the work. It allows others to use the work without providing proper credit to the creator, potentially affecting their professional reputation. 2. Waiver of Integrity Right: This type of waiver disallows the creator to object to any unauthorized alterations, distortions, or mutilations of their work. It grants the right for others to modify the work freely, even if it results in diminishing its artistic or aesthetic value. 3. Waiver of Withdrawal Right: This waiver eliminates the creator's ability to withdraw their work from circulation or permanently remove it from public consumption. Once waived, the creator cannot retract permission for the use of their work, even if they have changed their stance or have found the work to be associated with objectionable content. It is important to note that the Tennessee Waiver of Moral Rights allows creators to freely give up these rights, but its usage should be approached with caution. Creators should carefully consider the potential implications, consequences, and future ramifications of waiving their moral rights before signing such a document. By understanding the concept of the Tennessee Waiver of Moral Rights and its different types, artists, authors, and other creators can make informed decisions regarding the protection and control of their valuable intellectual property. While this waiver may provide certain advantages in specific situations, it is crucial for creators to seek legal advice or consultation to fully comprehend the impact of waiving their moral rights.
