What is a copyright?

A copyright is an exclusive right granted by law that protects original works of authorship from being stolen and not credited.

What is the difference between a copyright and other legal protections?

Many people are confused by the differences between copyrights, patents and trademarks, but they are three very different forms of protection. Copyrights preserve an author’s rights over unique creations such as books, songs, lyrics, or movies; patents protect inventions; and businesses obtain trademarks to retain rights to a slogan.

What can be copyrighted?

Copyrights apply to both published and unpublished works in fixed form – works that have been written down or recorded. Protection extends to many different types of intellectual work, including literary, dramatic, musical, choreographic, artistic and graphic works, as well as movies, sound recordings, computer software, slide presentations and educational materials. On the other hand, copyright protection does not cover works that have not been written or recorded. It does not extend to titles, names, slogans or phrases, familiar symbols and designs, processes and procedures, or to commonly held information with no original authorship (calendars, weights and measures, etc.)

What rights are granted by a copyright?

A copyright grants an owner the following exclusive rights:

• to reproduce the copyrighted work;
• to prepare derivative works;
• to distribute copies of the copyrighted work;
• to perform the copyrighted work publicly; and;
• to display the copyrighted work publicly.

Why copyright?

You should obtain a copyright to ensure that you retain exclusive rights over your work, especially if you are planning to distribute or sell it. This is especially important considering that the internet has made piracy much easier and more prevalent than in the past. Should someone steal your work and try to pass it off as their own, copyright protection gives you a form of legal redress.

How to copyright

The easiest way to obtain a copyright is by applying online. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has a website at www.uspto.gov, where you will be directed to the forms you need to fill out to obtain your copyright. Alternatively, you can visit any U.S. copyright office and fill out the necessary forms in person. In either case, it is a relatively quick and easy process and is well worth doing to ensure that your intellectual property is protected.