This document summarizes U.S. copyright law, including what can be copyrighted (original works fixed in a tangible form like writing, music, art, films), limitations on copyright (ideas, common knowledge, short phrases), fair use exceptions, obtaining permission or licensing works, works in the public domain, orphan works, alternatives like Creative Commons, and basics of registration and licensing for copyright protection.

1. Copyright: Know the Facts

2. What can you Copyright?
Copyrights protect original works of authorship that are
fixed in a tangible form of expression.
1 literary works
2 musical works, including any accompanying words
3 dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4 pantomimes and choreographic works
5 pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
6 motion pictures and other audiovisual works
7 sound recordings
8 architectural works

3. What is not protected
• works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression.
• titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols
or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation,
lettering, or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents
• ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts,
principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a
description, explanation, or illustration
• works consisting entirely of information that is common
property and containing no original authorship (for
example: standard calendars, height and weight charts,
tape measures and rulers, and lists or tables taken from
public documents or other common sources)

4. Fair Use: Four Questions to ask.
1. What is the character of the use?
2. What is the nature of the work to be used?
3. How much of the work will you use?
4. What effect would this use have on the
market for the original or for permissions
if the use were widespread?

5. Obtain Permission
• Just ask the owner of the copyright for
permission.
• Keep good records.
• If you may have to license the work for a small
fee.

6. Public Domain
• Definition: A public domain work is a creative
work that is not protected by copyright and
which may be freely used by everyone. The
reasons that the work is not protected include:
(1) the term of copyright for the work has
expired; (2) the author failed to satisfy statutory
formalities to perfect the copyright or (3) the
work is a work of the U.S. Government.

7. Orphaned Work
• Definition: An orphaned work is a creative
work that is not protected by copyright and
which may be freely used by everyone. The
reasons that the work is not protected
include:
(1) the term of copyright for the work has
expired; (2) the author is unknown.

8. Alternative to Copyright
• Creative Commons is a great way to open an
open source license for media, music, images,
and more.
• Creativecommons.org for more information.

9. Remember
• Get your work registered with the Copyright
office.
• 35 dollar charge.
• Electronic Filling
• Mass filing for one price.
• Protection becomes a public record.

10. Licensing
• You can sell the rights of your image or work
to be reproduced.
• The rights are sold per run of the publication.
• Prices for licensing can be figured by
circulation of the publication.
• Always get the usage rights in a written
contract.

11. References
• Copy Write Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
• Copyright Crash Course. Georgia K. Harper.
2007. Retrieved from
http://copyright.lib.utexas.edu/
• WHEN U.S. WORKS PASS INTO THE PUBLIC
DOMAIN. (n.d.). Lolly Gasaway. Retrieved
from http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-
d.htm