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A copyright protects authors’ original works, including dramatic, musical, artistic, literary, or other intellectual works. When a work is copyrighted, it prevents others from copying, displaying, distributing, creating derivative works, performing, or in any way profiting from a work without the author’s consent. To qualify for a copyright, the work must be original, it must be more than just an idea, and it should be presented in a tangible format.

What is Not Protected by a Copyright?

• Works that are not recorded, notated, or written in a tangible form of expression.
• Short phrases, slogans, titles, and names. These should be trademarked.
• A simple listing of contents or ingredients.
• Simple variations of existing works. For example, changing the color of a popular symbol.
• Procedures, concepts, discoveries, or devices (read the patent section for this works)
• Works consisting of information that is common property and has no original authorship.

How to Register a Copyright

To register the work, gather the following information:

• A completed application.
• A non-returnable copy of the work for which a copyright is requested.
• A $30 application fee.

Send the complete package to:

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington D.C. 20559-6000

The copyright registration is effective on the date the office receives all the required documents. Within four to five months, you will receive a certificate of registration indicating that the work is registered. Note: You will not receive an acknowledgment receipt of your application due to the high number of applications the office receives each year.

Every industry has its own method of copyrighting works. They way photographers format their copyright documentation might differ from how music is documented. Refer to you industry association, guild, or union to find out more about the process.