Intersection of Ringtone and Copyright
A ringtone is usually a sound or melody that is played by a mobile phone when an incoming call is received. In most cases, ringtones are protected by copyright law, which means that they cannot be used without the permission of the copyright holder.
If you want to use a copyrighted song or melody as a ringtone, you will need to obtain the necessary permissions or licenses from the copyright holder. This can typically be done by contacting the publisher of the song or melody or the organization that manages the rights to it.
In some cases, mobile phone carriers or service providers may offer a selection of from an approved list of ringtones that can be legally used without obtaining additional permissions or licenses. However, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure that you are not infringing on anyone’s copyright. One way is to check whether the work is having a copyright registration.
Copyright is a legal concept that grants exclusive rights to the creators of original works, such as literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works, as well as software and other intellectual property. These rights include the right to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, and create derivative works based on the original work.
The duration of copyright protection varies depending on the type of work and the jurisdiction in which it was created. In general, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus a certain number of years after their death.
Source: Swarupa Ghosh; WIPO; IPINDIA; CGPDTM