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A copyright is a federally-granted right which protects an author’s particular expression of an idea. Copyright does not give protection to the actual idea being expressed. Rather, it protects the particular form of expression the author used in expressing his or her idea. General What can be Copyrighted? Requirements for […]

Copyright is accorded to original works of authorship of literature, drama, music, sculpture, computer programs, sound recordings, film, photography, and works of fine art. Copyright gives the owner the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, sell, perform, or publicly display the copyrighted work and to prepare derivative works therefrom.

In order to obtain copyright protection, a work must be original and fixed in a tangible medium of expression. To satisfy the originality requirement, the author must have engaged in some form of intellectual endeavor, and not mere copying, and must exhibit some form of creativity. Further, in order to […]

Copyright protection begins automatically as soon as the work is created. In other words, the author need not register the work in order to achieve copyright protection. However, in order to initiate a copyright infringement suit, registration is required. To achieve maximum protection, a copyright should be registered within three […]

If, within the scope of his or her employment, an employee creates a copyrightable work, the employer is deemed the owner of the copyright. If, however, the creator of the work is an independent contractor or if the work is commissioned, the copyright will belong to the creator of the […]

The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, effective January 25, 1999, amends the provisions concerning the duration of copyright protection. The terms of copyright are generally extended for an additional 20 years. For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection will endure for the life of the author plus […]

There are three elements required for copyright notice. These elements are: (1) the word “copyright” or an approved variation (including the symbol© , (2) the name of the copyright owner, and (3) the year of first publication. When notice is placed on copies of a copyrighted work, it must “be […]