The Illustrated Story of Copyright

By Edward Samuels

Book Overview

The story of copyright is the history of the entertainment industry, encompassing books, music, movies, television, and even computers and the Internet, just to scratch the surface. Since its inception in America under "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning," copyright law has been the primary protector of original works of authorship. Over the course of its history, however, myriad technological developments have produced constant pressure on the law, forcing copyright to adapt or expand to accommodate our creations. In The Illustrated Story of Copyright, Professor Edward Samuels explains in a straightforward and colorful style the history and intricacies of copyright. From the printing press to the photocopying machine, the phonograph to the MP3, this comprehensive guide explains the basic principles of copyright law and brings to life the relevant copyright technologies. Using hundreds of photos, illustrations and sidebars, Samuels traces the story of copyright from its adoption in this country 210 years ago to today's headline issues posed by the Internet and the digitizing of creative works. And remarkably, this is the only book of its kind that is accessible to a lay audience, and that also will delight people already conversant in the field. This timely work takes what is commonly perceived to be a difficult subject and gives it a fresh and engaging edge. An essential tool to navigate the complex partnership of creativity and property rights, The Illustrated Story of Copyright belongs on the bookshelf of every creative person.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312261764
• ISBN13: 9780312261764
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.2" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Copyrights made easy

Unlike many books on legal issues that are important to non-lawyers, this book strikes a very readable balance between providing useful advice and being something you actually enjoy reading. I would rate this a "must read" for anybody dealing with commercialization of art, photography, writing, data ...The historic perspective is invaluable for understanding copyrights, and Samuels does a superb job of showing how US law has evolved to meet challenges of evolving technologies and markets.I look forward to a second edition in a few years as the WWW saga unfolds.

An Open Book

If you want to know what it's all about - just what it is that writers, publishers, composers, musicians, sculptors and photographers own - and what use you can make of their work, this is a great place to start.A lucid survey of the history, and logic of the law of copyright, Samuels' well laid out, and copiously illustrated book is a useful guide for editors, writers, agents, websters, napsters, law students, and even law professors.The numerous side bars and photos provide stories that illuminate the logic of copyright law. A subject which is in danger of being throttled by technical detail (the Copyright Act is must reading for insomniacs) is made plain here. It's a great introduction and a helpful wrap up for those who know the ropes, but have gotten tangled in the details.