World Copyright Law: 3rd Edition Providing analytical commentary on the legislation, principles, and practice, World Copyright Law: The rights of authors of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works are, in the common law system, covered by copyright, and in the civil law system by "author's right". The rights of performers, producers, broad? casters and others who bring authors' works before the public are often described as related (or neighboring) rights.

"Copyright" means many things to many people. To some, it signifies a component of human rights, deriving from natural law, and sustaining the work of the human mind by protecting authors in respect of all uses of their works. To others, it represents a commercially inspired monopoly for the better regulation of the exploitation of the author's work in the marketplace. In between are other concepts, each with its own philosophical and juridical justifications.

The debate on the place of copyright in the legal system is not merely on the national level, but also covers relationships at cultural, political, and commercial levels throughout the world. One feature is, however, common to all approaches. The discussion concerns works of the mind, and the means by which these are disseminated to the public.