What Is Copyright
Last updated: March 31, 2026
Quick Answer: Copyright gives creators of original works exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and create derivatives. It arises automatically upon creation — no registration needed, though registration provides legal benefits.
Key Facts
- Automatic — no registration or © symbol required
- Lasts creator's lifetime + 70 years in the US
- Facts and ideas cannot be copyrighted, only specific expression
- Fair use allows limited use for criticism, education, parody
- First US copyright law was the Copyright Act of 1790
What It Protects
- Books, articles, software code
- Music and sound recordings
- Visual art, photographs
- Films and video
- Architectural designs
What It Does NOT Protect
- Facts, data, discoveries
- Ideas, concepts, methods
- Titles, short phrases (may be trademarked)
- Government works (US federal = public domain)
Fair Use
Four factors: (1) purpose (commercial vs educational), (2) nature of original, (3) amount used, (4) market effect. Evaluated case by case.
How to Get It
Automatic when you create an original work in fixed form. Registration ($35-$85) optional but needed to sue for infringement in US.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Copyright CC-BY-SA-4.0
- US Copyright Office public_domain