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 …

If you do not provide the information requested, registration may be refused or delayed, and you may not be entitled to certain relief, remedies, and benefits under the copyright law.

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.

The U.S. Copyright Office offers an online system for copyright registration and deposit of materials.