What is Copyright? Learn about the basics of copyright with our online reference page.

This is your starting point for all things related to the registration of copyrights. Choose a category below to find out more about the different works typically registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

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 form of protection provided by U.S. law to the authors of "original works of authorship" fixed in any tangible medium of expression. Learn more about the basics of copyrights.

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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.

May 5, 2026 · copyright, the exclusive, legally secured right to reproduce, distribute, and perform a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work.

If you submit 2 or more unpublished works on the "Standard Application" the Copyright Office may register only 1 of your works and remove the remaining works from the claim. To register those …

Aug 24, 2025 · Learn about copyright, its legal significance, types, and how it protects intellectual property from unauthorized use for up to 70 years post-death.

The Copyright Office administers the national copyright system and provides advice on copyright law to congress, federal agencies, the courts and the public.