copyright & youths

declan_lgs

Are under 18s allowed to license their work in the same way as adults?
What happens in the case of a copyright violation against them - are their parents allowed to fight the case?

Should the work display "(C) <name of youth - the author>" or "(C) <name of parent/guardian>" ?

padser

Your question is a little to vague for me to understand.

What do you mean by 'licence' their work?

Copyright exists, if someone [whatever age] creates a work, then copyright exists in it. It doesnt matter whether '© Joe Bloggs 2006' is displayed on the work, although this is useful for evidentiary purposes.

When you say 'licence' I'll assume you mean can a minor authorise someone else to use their work. I dont see (although I dont specifically know of it happening) why this would cause any problem. Certainly the copyright would rest with them, and not with their parents, and I dont see any reason why they wouldnt be able to authorise the use of it. Parental consent might be useful, but to be honest, from a copyright point of view I dont see why it would be essential.


In the case of a voilation against them, it might well be the parents taking the case on behalf of the minor (as in Szabo v Esat Digiphone 1998) but this wouldnt really have much effect on the rights or issues involved.

declan_lgs

padser wrote:

In the case of a voilation against them, it might well be the parents taking the case on behalf of the minor (as in Szabo v Esat Digiphone 1998) but this wouldnt really have much effect on the rights or issues involved.

Oh k, thanks!