Copyright
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 Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.
Original works of authorship include 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.
For more, please see the U.S. Copyright Office’s downloadable Copyright Basics (PDF)
Useful Websites
- United States Copyright Office – The home page of the U.S. Copyright Office. Learn about copyright; search for registrations; download forms; register your work online.
- Copyright Refresher – An overview of copyright from the USPTO.
- World Intellectual Property Organization – Copyright and Related Rights – Learn about copyright in an international context.
Copyright Search Tools
Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) – Search records of registered books, music, art, and periodicals, and other works. Includes copyright ownership documents.
For registrations prior to 1978, please contact the Central Library.
Copyright Symbols
The copyright symbol for works other than sound recordings is the letter C with a circle around it: ©
The copyright symbol for sound recordings is the letter P with a circle around it: ℗