The term publication can have different implications depending on its context. Generally, though, it is the act of making content known to the public by distributing, advertising, or making it available. In the legal sense, publication may refer to fulfilling certain obligations related to copyright and other intellectual property rights, as well as other rights and obligations regarding the release of information.
Types of Publication
When it comes to legal rights, publication typically takes one of two forms.
Legal Notice
A legal notice is a document that must be made available to the public in order to meet certain requirements; for instance, to give notice of a lawsuit filing or to serve as part of an information the public must have. In these cases, the document is typically published in a newspaper, on the internet or through other mediums.
Copyright Notice and Distribution
Copyright notices and distribution are voluntary acts of communication. When it comes to copyright, publication is not a requirement for copyright protection. However, many authors will seek to publish their work as part of promoting it and protecting their rights since publication creates evidence of their ownership of a copyrighted work or other intellectual property.
Publication vs Distribution in Online Settings
In a digital world, it can be tricky to distinguish between publication and distribution. Generally speaking, when it comes to copyright law, distribution may simply refer to making a work physically available, while publication is the act of making the work visible to the public at large. An example of this may be posting a video on YouTube, which would be considered both a distribution and publication of the video.
Conclusion
In summary, when it comes to legal concepts, publication is the act of making something known to the public by distributing, advertising, or making it available. It could take the form of a legal notice or copyright notice and distribution as part of protecting intellectual property. Understanding the differences between publication, distribution, and other legal concepts is essential in protecting and managing intellectual property.