What is Copyright?
American copyright law gives authors of original creative works of authorship, including written work, artwork, musical scores, choreography, and architectural designs, the exclusive right to:
- make copies,
- prepare derivative works,
- sell or distribute copies, and
- display and/or perform the work publicly.
Anyone other than the copyright holder must have permission to perform these actions with the copyrighted work.
This Image is in the Public Domain!
"Copyright. By the President of the United States of America. A proclamation ... Done at the City of Washington this ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ten .... Wm. H. Taft. [Washington D. C. 1910]."
Library of Congress American Time Capsule
For more info:
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U.S. Copyright OfficeThe federal department, part of the Library of Congress and led by the Register of Copyrights, responsible for maintaining American copyright law. Learn more about the department, the laws, and how to register your own work.
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Copyright Information Center (Cornell)Cornell provides a good explanation of current copyright law and what it means to users.
Need to use copyrighted work in your own work or research?
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Asking For Permission (Columbia University)Columbia University Libraries' Copyright Advisory Services provides a guide to ask a copyright holder's permission to use their work in your work, including form templates.
Copyright in American Law
© Copyright in the Constitution ©
The Congress shall have Power ... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.
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United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8 (National Archives)The original text of the U.S. Constitution, as held and scanned by the National Archives.
© Copyright in Current Law ©
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Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States CodeCurrent American copyright law, including recently passed acts amending certain aspects of the law.
Keep Up with Copyright
Issues in copyright law come up on a regular basis in many different fields. The following list includes news organizations, law firms, and other interested groups that write or collect news on copyright law to keep you up to date.
Copyright: All fields
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Copyright Law - ABA JournalThe ABA (American Bar Association) Journal page on articles about copyright law. American; general focus.
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Copyrightlaws.com Biweekly RoundupCopyrightlaws.com's biweekly list of articles about copyright. National and international; general focus. Also available as an email newsletter.
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Copyright and Internet Piracy (New York Times)The New York Times' page for articles about copyright and internet piracy. National and international; general focus.
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Intellectual Property (The Guardian (UK))Articles from the Guardian, a UK newspaper, about intellectual property. UK and international; general focus.
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Copyright News (The Independent (UK))Articles from the Independent, a UK newspaper, about copyright. UK/European and international; general focus.
Copyright: Specific field
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Copyright (The Art Newspaper)Articles from the Art Newspaper about copyright. National and international; art focus.
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Copyright News (Wired)Articles from Wired about copyright. National and international; technology focus.
Trademark: General
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Trademark News (IntellectualPropertyNews.com)Trademark news from Mandour & Associates, an IP law firm. National and international; focus on trademarks. Also available as an RSS feed.
Subject Guide
Disclaimer
The information presented here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.