This circular is intended as an overview of the basic concepts of copyright. The authoritative source for U.S. copyright law is the Copyright Act, codified in Title 17 of the United States Code.

In order to understand the importance of copyright and how to protect it, it is important to examine the basics of copyright law: what it is, what it protects, and how to secure it.

Copyright is the area of law that deals with creation, ownership, sale, and use of creative and expressive works.

Aug 29, 2025 · United States copyright law is codified in Title 17 of United States Code. In addition to rights based on federal legislation, there are also common law copyright protections.

Copyright law gives authors certain rights to control use of their works. It also grants users of copyrighted works the rights to use those works without permission in certain circumstances.

Aug 28, 2025 · This straightforward, easy-to-use guide provides the tools librarians and educators need to take control of their rights and responsibilities as copyright owners and users.

This guide provides an overview of copyright law and examines issues such as fundamental principles of copyright law, copyright ownership, fair use, and other permitted uses.

Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Works such as books, poems, essays, music, pictorial works, movies, photographs, dance choreography, web pages, and software …

U.S. copyright law resource page aimed to assist individual creators, small business owners, and members of the public. Learn about copyright law today.

That’s where copyright comes in. Copyright law gives you a set of rights that prevents other people from copying your work and doing other things with your work that you may not like. As …