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What Is A Copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works, both published and unpublished. The 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to reproduce the copyrighted work, to prepare derivative works, to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work, to perform the copyrighted work publicly, or to display the copyrighted work publicly. The copyright protects the form of expression rather than the subject matter of the writing. For example, a description of a machine could be copyrighted, but this would only prevent others from copying the description; it would not prevent others from writing a description of their own or from making and using the machine. The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress registers copyrights.

Other Intellectual Property FAQs

Q: What Is Intellectual Property Law?
A: Our legal system provides certain rights and protections for owners of property. The kind of property that results from the use of the mind in developing new ideas and … More
Q: Can Intellectual Property Fall Into More Than One Of The Sub-Categories Of Trademark, Copyright, Patent, Or Trade Secret?
A: Sometimes you can have overlapping protection. For example, a floral sketch might be protected under copyright law. If embossed onto tableware, patent law may also … More
Q: I Have Heard It Said That Intellectual Property Law Protects The Expression Of Ideas, And Not The Ideas Themselves. Is That The Case?
A: There are many legal texts that make this point. One might question the true accuracy of this statement; however, thinking in these terms can provide a helpful way to … More
Q: Why Should I Register My Work If Copyright Protection Is Automatic?
A: Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record … More
Q: How Do I Register My Copyright?
A: To register a work, you need to submit a completed application form, a nonrefundable filing fee of $30, and a nonreturnable copy or copies of the work to be … More
Q: What Is The Telephone Number For The U.S. Copyright Office?
A: The Public Information Office telephone number is (202) 7073000. To order application forms, the number is (202) 7079100. TTY is (202) 7076737.
Q: What Is The Mailing Address For The U.S. Copyright Office?
A: The mailing address is Copyright Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E.,Washington, D.C. 205596000.
Q: What Are The Visiting Address And Hours Of Operation For The U.S. Copyright Office?
A: The Copyright Office is located at 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C., in the James Madison Memorial Building, Room LM401, of the Library of … More
Q: Where Can I Get Application Forms?
A: You may get forms from the U.S. Copyright Office in person, by mailing in a request, by calling our 24hoursperday forms hotline: (202) 7079100, or … More
Q: How Long Does The Registration Process Take?
A: The time the Copyright Office requires to process an application varies; depending on the amount of material the Office is receiving. You may generally expect a … More

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