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UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Copyright

About Copyright

copyright logoWhat is Copyright?

Copyright refers to the author's (creators of all sorts such as writers, photographers, artists, film producers, composers, and programmers) exclusive right to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, and publicly perform and display their works. The U.S. Copyright Act gets its authority from Article 1, Section 8, cl. 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Copyright allows the buyer to own a physical thing (and the ideas that go with it) while authors retain the form of expression, which focuses on originality and personality.

Copyright is unique from other property rights in that:

  • Copyright is not taxable.
  • Exclusive copyrights eventually expire.
  • Copyrights cannot go away due to neglect.
  • Creators have a significant level of control even after sale.