Patent and Trademark Resource Center at Oklahoma State University: Copyright
Copyright
Copyright gives protection for creative expression, not the facts.
- Automatic protection is given to printed works, websites, software, artwork, photo, video, some software, procedures manuals, and practically everything on the Internet, once “fixed in any tangible medium of expression” but register for more protection
- Administered by the U.S. Copyright Office
- Provision in Title 17 of the United States Code
- Duration of protection runs the life of the author, plus 70 years
- Register and search records at copyright.gov
- Cost: $45 for a single registration
- See Circulars
- Register Software as a Literary Work
- Search Copyright Records: Copyright Public Records Portal
- Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices
See Copyright Term and the Public Domain - Copyright Services - LibGuides at Cornell University
- Creative CommonsProvide Creative Commons licenses and public domain tools that give every person and organization in the world a free, simple, and standardized way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic works; ensure proper attribution; and allow others to copy, distribute, and make use of those works
- Copyright Office EngageResources to help engage your creativity.
Architecture and fashion drawings and elements of each can receive copyright protection.
Copyright Notice
Form and Placement of the Copyright Notice
The copyright notice generally consists of three elements:
- The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright" or the abbreviation "Copr.";
- The year of first publication of the work; and
- The name of the owner of copyright in the work.
© 1996 Jane Doe
Unpublished Work © 1995 Jane Doe