Copyright encompasses a bundle of non-registrable rights belonging to authors and creators of literary, musical, artistic and other works recognized by the Copyright Act, including computer programs.

Unlike trade marks, patents and designs that require registration in order to qualify as intellectual property that confer certain rights on the proprietor thereof that can be protected, copyright automatically comes into existence when certain ideas or products of the intellect are embodied in material form. In South Africa no registration is possible, although optional registration of cinematograph films is provided for.

By owning the copyright in a work, the owner has the right to the exclusive use of the work, thus controlling the commercial exploitation thereof, either personally or by licensing others to do so. Generally, the owner will be compensated by way of a royalty or other payment for the permission to use the work, therefore deriving income from the use of the work.

The rights obtained through copyright have a limited lifespan, generally twenty years after the death of the author.

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