What is Copyright? | U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.
U.S. Copyright Office
Search Copyright Records. Search our online records, learn about our searching and retrieval services, and view educational videos and materials. Learn More.
Copyright in General (FAQ) | U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright Law of the United States | U.S. Copyright Office
The United States copyright law is contained in chapters 1 through 8 and 10 through 12 of Title 17 of the United States Code. The Copyright Act of 1976, which provides the basic framework for the current copyright law, was enacted on October 19, 1976, as Pub. L. No. 94-553, 90 Stat. 2541.
Frequently Asked Questions | U.S. Copyright Office
If I choose to register my copyright, should I use the same address that I use for... Is there an exception to mandatory deposits? If my publication does not have a copyright notice, do I still have to deposit? What is the difference between the …
The use of a copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office. Copyright notice was required for all works first published before March 1, 1989, subject to some exceptions discussed below.
Register Your Work: Registration Portal | U.S. Copyright Office
To get started registering your work, log in to the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) Registration System at the link below or you may learn more about the different types of works typically registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Privacy Policy | U.S. Copyright Office
The U.S. Copyright Office is required under 17 U.S.C. §§ 705(a) - (b) to maintain records of copyright registrations and to make them available for public inspection. Once a registration is completed and a claim has been cataloged, it becomes part of the public record.
Contact Form | U.S. Copyright Office
Use the General Contact Form for the following inquiries: Which form to use for your application. Technical support. Which service to use for your copyright issue. Question about a missing certificate. General questions about copyright law. Economic research on copyright.
What Photographers Should Know about Copyright
If you’re a photographer, there are a few key things to know about copyright law and the protections available to you. First, copyright protects original works of authorship, including original photographs. A work is original if it is independently created and is sufficiently creative.