Copyright Law
Federal copyright law determines what creative works are allowed protection. The law defines the rights that come with copyright protection, as well as the remedy if you feel someone has improperly used your copyrighted work.
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Copyright Act
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The Copyright Act, established in 1976, is located in Title 17 of the U.S. Code, from sections 101 through 122.
Copyrightable Material
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Creative works, including literature, art and music, can be copyrighted if they are original and have been put in tangible form.
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Rights
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As a copyright holder, you have the exclusive right to reproduce or make copies of a creative work. You can also distribute or sell copies; make a derivative work (for example, turn a novel into a movie); and perform or display the work publicly.
Infringement
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If you believe that someone has infringed on your work, you can file a copyright infringement lawsuit. You must show that you have a valid copyright for your work. You must also show that the defendant had access to your work and that there is reasonable similarity between your work and the defendant's.
Fair Use
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Even if you win your case, the defendant's use of your work may still be protected by the fair-use doctrine. You can use copyrighted material in your own work if it is for criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching or research.
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