Printing, Copying, Scanning, and More

What is Copyright?

Copyright is legal protection that covers both published and unpublished original works of authorship.

What does Copyright protect? 

• Literary works

• Musical works, including any accompanying words

• Dramatic works, including any accompanying music

• Pantomimes and choreographic works

• Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works

• Motion pictures and other audiovisual works

• Sound recordings, which are works that result from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds

• Architectural works

What does Copyright NOT protect?

• Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, or discoveries

• Works that are not fixed in a tangible form (such as a choreographic work that has not been notated or recorded or an improvisational speech that has not been written down)

• Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans

• Familiar symbols or designs

• Mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring

• Mere listings of ingredients or contents
 

Where can I find more information on Copyright?
On the U.S. Government's site on Copyright law and policies.

For how long is a work protected under Copyright law?
It varies for each item. For more information, check out this page.

Whose responsibility is it to make sure I follow Copyright law?
Your own. But if you have questions, please reach out to your friendly librarians!