Protect Your Creative Work with a Federal Copyright

Ideas, facts, procedures, methods, systems, titles, slogans, symbols, typographic variations, and works not fixed in a tangible form are not protected.

For most works, the author's life plus 70 years. For corporate works or works made for hire, generally 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation.

Exclusive rights can be transferred in writing and signed by the owner. Nonexclusive rights can be licensed without a written contract but written agreements are recommended. Transfers can also occur by law or inheritance.

Works not protected by copyright, often because their term has expired. Examples include works published before 1923 in the U.S., U.S. government works, and works not renewed before 1978.

Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted works for purposes such as commentary, news reporting, research, teaching, or parody. It is assessed by four factors: purpose, nature, amount used, and market effect.

Quoting for criticism, scholarly use, classroom reproduction, parody, and summaries with short quotations are examples of fair use.

It allows the owner of a lawfully purchased copy of a work to resell, lend, or dispose of that copy. It does not allow reproduction, derivative works, or public performance.

Infringement occurs when someone uses, reproduces, or distributes copyrighted material without permission. Registration strengthens enforcement and provides statutory remedies.

Services include Federal Copyright Registration, registration with Trade Secret protection, petitions for relief from disclosure, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Non-Competition Agreements.

Yes. Duplicate or infringing content may be penalized by search engines, lowering rankings and reducing visibility.

The © symbol, the year of first publication, and the copyright owner's name.

Yes. Both published and unpublished works can be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

No. Protection arises automatically upon creation, but using the symbol strengthens notice and legal standing.

Copyright protects creative works, trademarks protect brand identifiers, and patents protect inventions and processes.