Copyright and Contract Issues in the Preparation of Resource Material

Abstract

The production of resource material, whether print based, in audio visual form or as computer software, raises a number of questions of copyright and performer's protection. These include not only the inclusion of existing material but also the ownership to the copyright in the finished product and the contractual arrangements regulating the exploitation of the product. Such issues are already complicated when both production and exploitation is confined to one country but they become even more so where production is a cooperative effort between different countries. This article will identify the copyright issues and explore how they may vary from one country to another but using the copyright law of the United Kingdom as an illustration of what may, or may not, be found in other legislations. Since the production of material as a cooperative venture will involve the preparation of contracts between the parties, the article will also examine the issues which may form part of the agreement and identify some of the dangers to be avoided.