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An Overview of the United States Copyright Law

Steven B. Smith, Esq. | posted 11/02/2007
This article provided by the Engstrom Institute

What Is A Copyright?

A copyright is the legal right to control specific uses of art, books, music, motion pictures, videotapes, photographs, software programs, and many other kinds of creative material. Copyright is granted by law in most countries and in the United States by a federal statute called The Copyright Act of 1976 ("Copyright Act"). This statute governs who owns a copyright, what it consists of, how long it lasts, and how it is acquired, registered, transferred and enforced.

What Uses Of Material Can A Copyright Owner Control?

A copyright owner holds the following exclusive rights with copyrighted material:

• Reproduction- i.e., by photographing, photocopying, writing, drawing, audio and/or video recording, or by other means;
• Preparation of Derivative Materials- such as translations, musical arrangements, condensations, and abridgements and by varying, altering, adapting, or otherwise modifying copyrighted material;
• Distribution - through selling, giving away, renting, loaning, or leasing;

See also:

 copyright law, copyrights, intellectual property, legal, property rights