Who Issues Copyrights?
A copyright refers to the legal protection of an original form of authorship. Copyright protection automatically occurs after a work is created. However, you can also formally register a work with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Other People Are Reading
-
Significance
-
In 1897, the U.S. Copyright Office was established as a separate department of the Library of Congress. As of 2010, the U.S. Copyright Office registers approximately 500,000 copyrights each year. You can register a copyright online or by mail by filling out an application form, submitting a copy of the work and paying a filing fee.
Function
-
Copyright protection ensures that authors, musicians, artists and other creators are able to benefit financially from their creations. In addition, it allows them to control the distribution and use of their work. Registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is required before you can bring an infringement lawsuit for unauthorized reproduction of your work.
-
Types of Work
-
Copyright law protects books, plays, computer software, music, architecture and movies. Facts and ideas cannot be protected by copyright law, although ideas and discoveries can be protected by patent law.
Time Frame
-
Copyrights generally last for 70 years after the death of the creator. Works published before 1978 may have a longer or shorter copyright term, according to the U.S. Copyright Office.
-
