2021 – U.S. COPYRIGHTS
If you Write, Record or go to a studio to record you own the “copyright” of the record unless there is more than one writer and or collaborators, then the copyright is split between the writers. Registering the copyright protects all parties involved.
Important to know there are two types of music copyright:
- The composition — which is the music and lyrics
- The sound recording — which is a particular recorded version of that music and lyrics
Compositions are usually owned by songwriters and/or Publishers. Sound recordings are usually owned by artists or labels.
FYI… In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that you must register with the U.S. Copyright Office before you can file a lawsuit. The poor man’s copyright does not grant you this right and does not afford you the same protections as an official copyright registration
PERFORMING ARTS
Works of the performing arts are works that are intended to be performed for an audience. This category includes a wide variety of creative works, including music, lyrics, sound recordings, scripts, screenplays, choreography, motion pictures, video games, and similar types of works.
Statutory Definition
The Copyright Act states that performing a work “means to recite, render, play, dance, or act it, either directly or by means of any device or process or, in the case of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, to show its images in any sequence or to make the sounds accompanying it audible.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
FORMS
https://copyright.gov/forms/formpa.pdf
https://copyright.gov/forms/formsr.pdf
https://copyright.gov/forms/formcon.pdf
VIDEOS
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/standard.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/single.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/Submitting_Works.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruw.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/supplementary-registration.mp4
LITERARY WORKS(Digital Forms)
A literary work is a work that explains, describes, or narrates a particular subject, theme, or idea through the use of narrative, descriptive, or explanatory text, rather than dialog or dramatic action. Generally, literary works are intended to be read; they are not intended to be performed before an audience.
Statutory Definition
The Copyright Act defines “literary works” as “works, other than audiovisual works, expressed in words, numbers, or other verbal or numerical symbols or indicia, regardless of the nature of the material objects, such as books, periodicals, manuscripts, phonorecords, film, tapes, disks, or cards, in which they are embodied.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
FORMS
https://copyright.gov/forms/formtx.pdf
https://copyright.gov/forms/formse.pdf
https://copyright.gov/forms/formcon.pdf
VIDEOS
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/standard.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/single.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/Submitting_Works.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruw.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grcp.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/Newspapers.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grtx.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/supplementary-registration.mp4
VISUAL ARTS
Works of the visual arts include a wide variety of pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, as well as architectural works. Examples of visual arts works include paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other types of works.
Statutory Definition
Pictorial, Graphics and Sculptural Work
The Copyright Act states that “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works include two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints and art reproductions, maps, globes, charts, diagrams, models, and technical drawings, including architectural plans.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
Architectural Work
The Copyright Act defines “Architectural Works” as “the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
FORMS
https://copyright.gov/forms/formva.pdf
https://copyright.gov/forms/formcon.pdf
VIDEOS
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/standard.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/single.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/Submitting_Works.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruw.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruph.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grpph.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grcp.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/supplementary-registration.mp4
OTHER DIGITAL CONTENT
The Copyright Act protects a wide variety of works that are used with computers, tablets, smartphones, videogame platforms, and other electronic devices. It also protects works that are used or distributed on the internet, such as websites, blogs, and other online content. To register this type of digital content, identify the predominant authorship and submit the claim either as a literary work, a work of the visual arts, or a work of the performing arts.
Works Commonly Registered in this category
Apps
Databases
Social Media Posts
Spreadsheets
Statutory Definition
Pictorial, Graphics and Sculptural Work
The Copyright Act states that “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works include two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints and art reproductions, maps, globes, charts, diagrams, models, and technical drawings, including architectural plans.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
Architectural Work
The Copyright Act defines “Architectural Works” as “the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)
FORMS
https://copyright.gov/gruw/
https://copyright.gov/registration/photographs/
https://copyright.gov/comp3/chap1100/ch1100-registration-multiple-works.pdf
VIDEOS
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/standard.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/single.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/Submitting_Works.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruw.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/gruph.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grpph.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/grtx.mp4
https://stream-media.loc.gov/copyright/supplementary-registration.mp4
