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| · Library of Congress Copyright Office
© 2013
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. | Copyrights | |
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A copyright is
an original work of authorship "fixed in a tangible medium of
expression" that is "sufficiently permanent or stable to permit
it to be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated for a period
of more than transitory duration." 17 U.S.C. Sections 101, 102(a).
Keeping this definition in mind, then, what can be copyrighted?
The Copyright Act specifically exempts ideas, procedures, systems, methods of operation, concepts, principles and discoveries because they are not reduced to "expression." 17 U.S.C. Section 102(b). While copyright protection attaches to the work at the moment of the work's creation, if the author wants to sue for copyright infringement, he or she must first register the work with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. At the time of this publication (April 2001-4, 2007), the familiar copyright notice (ie. "© 2013 Gary E. Cooke II") is not required for an infringement action, but is still valuable in defending against the possible claim of innocent infringement. Mr. Cooke has advised authors, musicians, computer programers and web designers on copyrights and the filing of applications. You can contact Mr. Cooke at (312) 497-9002 or by email at "gc@Cookeslaw.com". Mr. Cooke's fee is $300.00 per hour. |
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