Copyright Basics

Get started on understanding copyright

What it is and the significance of the author versus the owner

Copyright is the right of the author of a work or its owner to control any copies or usage of that work.

• Copyright is a right protected by federal statute.
• The author of a work may be an artist, a composer, a lyricist, a playwright. They may even be 2 or more people. The author is the owner unless a specific arrangement names or makes someone else the owner. Read more about ownership: Copyright Basics (p. 2).
• An owner may be another individual, an organization, or a publisher. Read more about transferring ownership: Copyright Basics (p. 6).
• Copies may be reproductions or modifications (derivative work). Read more about reproduction: Copyright Basics (p. 1).

A few explicit conditions according to US Copyright Law

An Original Work of Authorship

• However the Fair Use Provision permits for some degree of appropriation from other people’s work. Read more: Copyright Basics (p. 1).

A Literary, Dramatic, Musical, Artistic Work

• This is a sample list of common types of works.
• Intangible works, words, lists, ideas are not protected by copyright.
• Read more: Copyright Basics (p. 3).
• Some other kinds of work may be patented or trademarked.

A Work in Fixed Form

• It could be handwritten, as long as it’s fixed.
• It could be digitized, as long as it’s fixed.
• Read more: Copyright Basics (p. 2).

It’s Not Mere Information or Common Knowledge

• Read more: Copyright Basics (p. 3)

Obtaining it is a lot less complex than you think

• A Copyright Symbol (©) is Not Required. It was at one time and still is for certain older works, but not anymore. Read more: Copyright Basics (p. 4).
• Copyright protection is automatic as soon as the author of the work establishes a fixed form. When the author puts a work to paper, saves it in an electronic file, pushes it out to the web, etc., that individual has copyright protection.
• While use of the copyright symbol is not required, it is a visible reminder that a given work is copyrighted and puts potential infringers on notice.
• Publication is Not Required.

Not required, but beneficial

• Registration is Not Required.
• Registration is a benefit when the owner of a work wishes to enforce or protect their copyright. It is a prerequisite for filing a lawsuit for copyright infringement.
• The owner of a work may register a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office by submitting an application with the appropriate fee and approved copies of the work.
• Read more about registration: Copyright Basics (p. 7).