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 Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. 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. Need to Copyright an original work? 

Copyright Services We Provide 

• Obtain copyright registrations and protect your copyrights in the United States and in other countries
• Avoid risk by understanding copyright ownership and fair use
• Draft notices, contracts and agreements related to copyright including cease and desist, licenses, assignments, and work-for-hire
• Make decisions related to copyright use and misuse in digital and social media
• Enforce copyright rights by litigating copyright infringements when necessary

What Can Be Copyrighted? 

Creative works (but not underlying ideas) such as:

1. Written works: Books, white papers, reports, screenplays, articles, blog posts, website copy, ad copy, lyrics
2. Audio: Music, sounds, speeches, podcasts
3. Video: Commercials, original videos, movies, television programs
4. Images: Photographs, paintings, graphic design, artistic logos
5. Technology: Software
6. Other: Sculptures, architectural works, industrial designs

For most works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright term is 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first. Your attorney can help you to determine the length of copyright protection for works that predate 1978.

Copyrights are registered with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress by submitting an application to the Registrar of Copyrights along with a modest fee and a “deposit” of the work being registered. The particular application form that must be used and the deposit requirements vary depending on the type of work being registered. Registration is not required to own a copyright. However, the cost of registering a copyright is fairly modest and the benefits from registration can be significant. In most cases, registration is a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit to enforce the copyright. Furthermore, with some exceptions, certain infringement remedies, such as statutory damages and attorney’s fees, are only available if the copyright is registered before the infringement begins.

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark? 

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

Is my copyright good in other countries?

The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, see Circular 38a, International Copyright Relations of the United States.