What types of work do copyright laws protect?

Answer 1

Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation. They are protected by Patent & Trademark laws. Bear in mind however that the expression of those ideas, systems, etc may be protected by copyright.

Answer 2

According to the US Copyright Office:

Copyrightable works include the following categories:

1 literary works

2 musical works, including any accompanying words

3 dramatic works, including any accompanying music

4 pantomimes and choreographic works

5 pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works

6 motion pictures and other audiovisual works

7 sound recordings

8 architectural works

These categories should be viewed broadly. For example,computer programs and most "compilations" may be registeredas "literary works"; maps and architectural plans may be registered as "pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works."

Answer 3

Copyright confers (among others) the exclusive right to copy, alter, distribute, or perform/display the work in public, or authorize others to do so, for a limited time.

Copyright law also prohibits removing or tampering with a copyright notice, making a recording of a public music performance without permission of the performers, and attempting to bypass copy protection mechanisms.

Answer 4

Copyright protects "creative works of original authorship". Under US laws, these are categorized as:

(1) literary works;

(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;

(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;

(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;

(5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;

(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;

(7) sound recordings; and

(8) architectural works.

Read more: What_kind_of_work_is_protected_by_copyright

Answer 5

Copyright protects "creative works of original authorship". Under US laws, these are categorized as:

(1) literary works;

(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;

(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;

(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;

(5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;

(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;

(7) sound recordings; and

(8) architectural works.

Answer 6

Work that is not protected by copyright is said to be in the public domain. This can happen for two reasons. Either the work was never copyrighted in the first place, or it was once copyrighted but the copyright has expired.

Copyright also does not protect ideas, patentable materials, and works of the federal government.