James Shadle
04-02-2008, 08:30 PM
What is a copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States,
to the authors of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.
What does a copyright protect?
Copyright protects "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyright-able works include the following categories:
Literary works; musical works, including any accompanying words, dramatic work'
including any accompanying music,pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial,
graphic, and sculptural works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works, sounding recordings, architectural works.
These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most "compilations" may be registered as "literary works"; maps and architectural plans may be registered as "pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works."
How is a copyright secured?
The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created.
Does my image need a copyright notice?
The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U.S. law
If you still want a notice for visually perceptible copies it should contain the following elements.
The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright," or the abbreviation "Copr.".
The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner. Example: © 2006 John Doe
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States,
to the authors of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.
What does a copyright protect?
Copyright protects "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyright-able works include the following categories:
Literary works; musical works, including any accompanying words, dramatic work'
including any accompanying music,pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial,
graphic, and sculptural works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works, sounding recordings, architectural works.
These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most "compilations" may be registered as "literary works"; maps and architectural plans may be registered as "pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works."
How is a copyright secured?
The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created.
Does my image need a copyright notice?
The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U.S. law
If you still want a notice for visually perceptible copies it should contain the following elements.
The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright," or the abbreviation "Copr.".
The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner. Example: © 2006 John Doe
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->