Copyright Law

Copyright protection for audio material, like other forms of intellectual property, occurs at the moment of creation and lasts for the lifetime of the author plus seventy years. There is no...

You've completed your masterpiece---the next best-selling novel or world-famous photograph or blockbuster video game. You can ensure no one else claims they created it by registering your work...

Although an image is automatically copyrighted the moment it is created, registering the image with the U.S. Copyright Office helps to maintain the provenance during the life of the picture. A...

Under federal law, copyright protections extend to writings, music, movies, and other works even if they aren't registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Works are automatically copyrighted by...

You cannot patent a book. A book is copyrighted the moment it is created. The owner of the copyright is the creator of the work, unless he or she transfers the copyright. It isn't necessary to...

If you've created an original work of authorship, then copyrighting your unique expression with the U.S. Copyright Office is the first step to ensure that you can exercise the exclusive rights...

Copyright procedures apply to a certain scope of creative expression as outlined by Title 17, U.S. Code, which addresses all issues regarding copyright protection. In order to proceed with...

Title 17 U.S.C. provides copyright protection for a musical work of authorship that is original and fixed in a tangible form of expression. A musical work that is submitted to the United States...

Ideas and concepts for jewelry, no matter how original, are not protected by United States intellectual property law. Original jewelry designs may be protected by both copyright and patent law....

If you're a new author of a creative work, such as a novel, film, artwork or choreography, you'll need to know how to fill out copyright forms so that your creation receives all the rights...

When it comes to copyrighting a movie, rules established by the U.S. Copyright Office are fairly straightforward. However, because movies are typically very long in duration, registration using...

A magazine is usually what the U.S. Copyright Office calls a "collective work." This means it's a single editor's vision but a collection of works from many contributors. In some cases, small...

Copyright is the legal right which an author or artist holds in her original creative works, such as a drawing. Copyright includes the right to reproduce, print or publish the work; to make...

Are you the original author of an image, such as a photograph, painting or graphic design? Copyrighting your image gives you lifelong protection against infringement--plus an additional 70 years. ...

Imagine this: You've written a one-of-a-kind book or designed a logo that's original and striking, then someone rips you off by stealing the essence of your idea. Add to this dilemma the fact that...

So you've just finished your first novel, or maybe you've just written and recorded your first original song. Great job! Now you'll want to make sure your intellectual property rights are...

If you have some pictures that you have taken or created and you want to protect your rights to those pictures, you can copyright them through the United States Copyright Office. The U.S....

If you have a poster that you have created that is an entirely original work, you can copyright that posted with the United States Copyright Office. Technically, a poster is copyrighted as soon as...

As a songwriter, if you have your lyrics set to music by a recording house and your song plays over the radio, you can receive mechanical royalty payments when your record sells in stores. In...

A copyright is a legal form that protects original pieces of authorship in various mediums. Copyrights cover both published and unpublished works, and can be used for just about anything you...

With so many free digital music programs and resources available today anybody can be a music producer. If you are make sure to protect your creations by getting a copyright for your music. ...

So you wrote a book! Maybe you wrote the great American novel. Maybe you wrote an important policy book. Maybe you wrote an award winning textbook. Hopefully your book is a triple crown, best...

It's a best practice for all artists to get their works copyrighted before presenting them to the public or distributing them for viewing by other parties before publication. Your work is...

To copyright a saying it must be included in the body of a literary work. Short phrases and slogans are among the items not eligible for registration with the US Copyright Office. Yet poetry,...

To authors, artists and other creative types, a copyright is fundamental to preventing piracy. A copyright is legal protection prohibiting use of an intellectual property, such as a drawing,...

Copyrighting music that you have composed ensures that no one will be able to claim and profit from your music but you, whether or not you ever publish the music. Learn how to copyright your music...

A digital copyright is a legal protection against use of material expressions, either published or unpublished, by unwanted users. This protection not only prevents the unauthorized use of digital...

A copyright for digital text creates a barrier to usage by anyone but the creator or those who have received explicit consent. The key to understanding digital copyrights is that they cover both...