The Illustrated Story of Copyright Book

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.