Höfundarréttar

Höfundarréttar, often translated as copyright, is a legal right granted to the creator of original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and certain other intellectual works. It provides the creator with exclusive rights to control the reproduction, distribution, adaptation, public display, and public performance of their work for a specified period. The primary purpose of copyright law is to protect the rights of authors and artists, encouraging creativity and the dissemination of knowledge by giving creators a financial incentive to produce new works.

In many jurisdictions, copyright protection is automatic upon the creation of an original work fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Registration of copyright is often not required for protection to exist, though it can provide additional legal benefits, such as the ability to sue for infringement and seek statutory damages and attorney's fees. The duration of copyright protection varies by country but typically lasts for the life of the author plus a certain number of years, or for a set number of years from publication for corporate or anonymous works.

Copyright law balances the rights of creators with the public interest in accessing and using creative works. Limitations and exceptions to copyright, such as fair use or fair dealing, allow for the use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Infringement of copyright occurs when someone uses a copyrighted work in a way that violates the exclusive rights of the copyright holder without authorization.