What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. It protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
SOURCE: FAQs: Copyright in General from U.S. Copyright Office. Accessed 4/1/2020.
U.S. Copyright Office
The U.S. Copyright Office administers the copyright laws of the United States and provides impartial expert advice on the copyright laws. Their website, Copyright.gov, provides a wealth of resources. Here are a few links to help you quickly find information.
- Copyright Law of the United StatesTitle 17 of U.S. Code. U.S. Copyright Office website
- Definitions related to CopyrightCollection of definitions related to copyright. U.S. Copyright Office.
- Copyright Circulars/FlyersCirculars are flyers published by the Copyright Office to provide up-to-date and authoritative information to a general audience. Circulars are arranged below by topic
Copyright on Campus
- Copyright on Campus Video
SOURCE: Copyright Clearance Center. Accessed 4/13/2021.
Copyright: Learn More
Copyright issues are important to education and libraries. Consequently, these institutions devote time and resources to understanding the nuances of the laws and explaining it to faculty, students, and library patrons.
- Copyright Basics (Columbia U)A primer on copyright and fair use. Copyright Advisory Services, Columbia University
- Copyright Information Center (Cornell)Basic overview of how and why copyright works in the USA. Cornell University Library
- Stanford Copyright and Fair UseSite emphasis is on copyright issues relevant to the education and library community.Stanford University.
- Copyright for Libraries (ALA)Resource to help librarians understand copyright. American Library Association (ALA)