COPYRIGHT

The following is a brief overview about copyright.

US Copyright Protection

Copyright protection is often misunderstood. You do not need to register your work through the Copyright office in order to claim copyright. Copyright is, instead, secured automatically upon creation. The work is created "when it is fixed in a copy," where copy is defined as "material objects from which a work can be read either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, electronic, or microfilm."

Copyright Registration

In general, copyright registration is the formal process by which you insert your copyright into public record. Registration is not a condition of copyright protection, but it does have several advantages, including:
Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.

For answers to all copyright questions (e.g., about procedures, fees, etc.), go to the Library of Congress' copyright website at www.loc.gov/copyright. To speak to a copyright information specialist, call (202) 707-3000.

No part of this site may be reproduced, printed or used in any other form or plaigarized as another's written original works. Should you desire to use these works in a magazine, anthology, electronic site or other form, please contact each author individually.

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