What is Copyright? Learn about the basics of copyright with our online reference page.

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.

The most recent major overhaul of copyright in the US, the Copyright Act of 1976, extended federal copyright to works as soon as they are created and "fixed", without requiring publication or registration.

A copyright is a federally granted property right that protects rights holders from certain unauthorized uses of their original works of authorship. The subject matter eligible for protection is set forth in the …

The United States Copyright Office, which is in the Library of Congress, handles copyright registration, recording of copyright transfers, and other administrative aspects of copyright law.

Jul 9, 2026 · copyright, the exclusive, legally secured right to reproduce, distribute, and perform a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work.

With copyright, a work can only be copied if the owner gives the permission to do so. If someone copies a work without permission, the owner can say that they infringed their copyright.

Copyright (or author’s right) is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, …

Jul 17, 2026 · Learn about copyright, its legal significance, types, and how it protects intellectual property from unauthorized use for up to 70 years post-death.

Explore our certificate-level educational programs and complimentary webcasts to help you navigate the complex world of copyright and content use. Access resources for copyright foundations, …