What Is Copyright?
Copyright is the law's way of saying, "Hey, this person made this, so let’s make sure they’re the one who controls how it’s used." It kicks in the moment your creative work is in some permanent form — like written down, saved, recorded, or uploaded.
What Does Copyright Protect?
Basically, it covers original stuff you create, such as:
- Books, blogs, and articles
- Music and lyrics
- Movies and plays
- Photos, paintings, and sculptures
- Software and computer code
- Choreography and architectural plans
What’s Not Covered?
Copyright doesn’t cover things like:
- Ideas or facts
- Short phrases or slogans
- Symbols or logos (those might fall under trademark)
- Stuff that hasn’t been written down or recorded yet
Who Owns the Copyright?
If you made it, you own it — unless it was made as part of your job or you signed a contract saying someone else owns it. Collaborations may be shared.
What Rights Does a Copyright Give You?
- To copy your work
- To sell or give away copies
- To create new versions (like sequels or remixes)
- To perform or display it publicly
- To license it to others
How Long Does It Last?
For individual creators: your lifetime + 70 years. For businesses: usually 95 years from publication or 120 from creation — whichever is shorter.
Do I Need to Register?
Nope — it’s automatic. But registration helps if someone infringes your work. You can do it online at copyright.gov.
What’s a Copyright Notice?
It’s optional but useful. It looks like: © 2025 Your Name
What’s “Fair Use”?
It’s a legal gray area that allows limited use without permission — like quoting a few lines in a review. But it’s safer to ask first unless you're sure it qualifies.
International Protection
There’s no global copyright, but treaties between countries mean your U.S. copyright often gets recognized elsewhere — especially in major markets.
What’s Publication?
It’s when you distribute or share your work publicly. Once published, some rules change — like how long it’s protected or what registration steps apply.
Mandatory Deposit
If you publish in the U.S., you’re supposed to send two copies to the Library of Congress. It’s part of building a national collection of everything published.
More Resources
Want the official details? Check the U.S. Copyright Office for registration, fees, forms, and deep dives into the law.