Copyright: Home

What is copyright?

• Federal law that protects the author's/creator's rights to their original works, both published and unpublished
• Copyright protection is automatic as soon as the work is created and fixed in a "tangible form that is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device"
• The philosophy of copyright is to protect authors/creators, publisher/producers, and the public
• Registration with the US Copyright Office is voluntary but it is required if a copyright holder wishes to pursue legal action against any party for copyright infringement