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Copyright law in the U.S. is based on the
Copyright Act of 1976 (hereinafter referred to as the Copyright
Act), a federal statute that went into effect on January 1, 1978.
It protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic,
musical, and artistic works such as poetry, novels, movies, songs,
computer software and architecture. It does not protect facts, ideas,
systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way
these things are expressed. To receive copyright protection, a work
must be "original" and must be "fixed" in a
tangible medium of expression.
Copyright protection arises automatically when an original work
of authorship is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Registration
with the Copyright Office is optional (but you have to register
before you file an infringement suit).
A copyright owner has exclusive rights to reproduce, modify, distribute,
publicly perform and publicly display the copyrighted work. Anyone
who violates any of the exclusive rights of a copyright owner is
an infringer. A copyright owner can recover actual or, in some cases,
statutory damages from an infringer. The federal district courts
have the power to issue injunctions (orders) to prevent or restrain
copyright infringement and to order the impoundment and destruction
of infringing copies.
U.S. authors automatically receive copyright protection in all
countries that are parties to the Berne Convention for the Protection
of Literary and Artistic Works, or parties to the Universal Copyright
Convention (UCC). Most countries belong to at least one of these
conventions. Members of the two international copyright conventions
have agreed to give nationals of member countries the same level
of copyright protection they give their own nationals.
For detailed information, please click the following links:
Description
What Works are Protected
Who Can Claim Copyright
Requirements
for Receiving Copyright Protection
The Exclusive
Rights and Limitations
Duration of the Rights
Copyright Notice
Copyright Registration
Copyright Transfer
Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright
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