A copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
Copyrights protect originals works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software and architecture.
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. A work must be registered if the author wishes to bring a lawsuit for infringement in the United States.
The processing time for an application varies but, generally, a certificate of registration is usually received within approximately eight months after submission.
Copyright protection generally lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years. For an anonymous work or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of ninety-five years from the year of its first publication or one hundred and twenty years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first.
