How is copyright important

Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights.

However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, see Circular 38a , International Copyright Relations of the United States. What does copyright protect? Under current law, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For works published prior to , the terms of copyright will depend on various factors as they relate to earlier versions of copyright law.

Works published prior to are no longer under copyright and are considered to be in the public domain. Tom Chmielewski is a longtime journalist with experience in newspapers, magazines, books, e-books and the Internet.

With his company TEC Publishing, he has published magazines and an award-winning multimedia e-book, "Celebration at the Sarayi.

Share on Facebook. Basis in Law Copyright is a basic legal doctrine that traces its roots to Elizabethan England. Rights Granted to Copyright Owners Copyright protects a work the moment it is put down in tangible form, such as written on paper or in a computer file, or any other means that allows it to be read, heard or viewed.

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is responsible for overseeing the administrative functions of the copyright law. Congress enacts copyright laws. The Federal courts interpret and enforce the copyright law. Eight categories of works are copyrightable: Literary, musical and dramatic works.

Pantomimes and choreographic works. Pictorial, graphic and sculptural works. Sound recordings. Motion pictures and other AV works. Computer programs. Compilations of works and derivative works. Architectural works. Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, and processes are not copyrightable. Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans are not copyrightable.

Facts, news, and research are not copyrightable. Example: A standard calendar. Works in the public domain are not copyrightable.