alaric hunter's List: Term 18: Copyright

• What is copyright?
   Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and  granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible  medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished  works.  
   

• Copyright protection exists from the moment a work is created in   a fixed, tangible form of expression. The copyright immediately   becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the   author, or those deriving their rights through the author, can rightfully   claim copyright. In the case of works made for hire, the employer—not   the writer—is considered the author.
• Duration of Copyright
    The term of copyright protection depends upon the date   of creation. A work created on or after January 1, 1978, is ordinarily   protected by copyright from the moment of its creation until 70   years after the author's death.
• Registration and Notification of Copyright
    The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently   misunderstood. Copyright is secured automatically when   the work is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as the   first time it is written or recorded. No other action is required   to secure copyright protection – neither publication, registration   nor other action in the Copyright Office (although registration   is recommended).

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