How to Tell if a File Is Copyrighted

Copyright is a legal way to protect creative expression in writing, recording and video. Copying copyrighted works without permission of the copyright owner is copyright infringement, which is illegal and can result in fines. The growth of the Internet has challenged the copyright law. Digital files most affected by copyright tend to be music, video and software. Follow these steps to determine the copyright status of a file.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Look for a copyright notice, which appears as a small "c" with a circle around it and is accompanied by a date. You'll find copyright notices on files copyrighted before March 1, 1989. At that time, the law changed and no longer required notices to identify copyrighted works. With digital files, copyright notices can too easily be deleted.
2. Use Digital File Check software on your computer. This free program, available at IFPI (see Resources below), can uninstall unwanted peer-to-peer software plus identify possible copyrighted digital files.
3. Investigate any shared folders on your computer. Any copyrighted material in shared folders is available to others. Move copyrighted material that you legally purchased to another area of your computer.
4. Understand that websites can be copyrighted as well. You cannot copy something from one website for public use without gaining permission of the copyright owner first. Domain names cannot be copyrighted.
5. Check backup software in your possession. Software is usually copyrighted. Any backup software should be from an original version that you legally own.
6. Search copyright records at the federal government copyright website or one of the many copyright licensing organizations like the Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies (AARC) or the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC).
7. Assume that music, films and software is copyrighted material unless you have evidence to the contrary. Even if you didn't know, you can be prosecuted for copyright infringement.