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Copyright is the legal protection for original creative work, such as books, music, films, photographs, software, and art. It gives the creator control over copying and sharing the work for a set period. Congress writes the law, the Copyright Office registers works, and federal courts settle disputes.

People usually bring questions about what copyright covers and who owns a work. They ask what counts as fair use, when a work enters the public domain, how protection passes on after a creator's death, and how to tell copying that is allowed from copying that is not.

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October 2last updated

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All Articles on Copyrights

How Copyright Law Protects an Artist’s Work After Death

Catherine O'Hara died on January 30, 2026, at age 71. Her estate is now worth approximately $10 million. Under current federal copyright law, her…

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A Guide to the ® and ™ Symbols

Walk through any grocery store or scroll through your favorite website, and you'll see them everywhere: those small ™ and ® symbols attached to…

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How the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) Protects Your Ideas

Every smartphone, every brand logo, every innovative gadget you use started with someone protecting their idea. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is…

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What’s Free to Use and What’s Not: A Guide to Copyright and Public Domain

You find the perfect photo online for your presentation. You want to quote a famous book in your blog post. You're curious whether you…

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Understanding Fair Use vs. Copyright Infringement: A Clear Guide for U.S. Citizens

Navigating the world of creative works, from blog posts and photographs to music and software, often involves questions about who can use what and…

64 Min Read

Intellectual Property: Copyright, Trademark, and Patent Explained

Creators, inventors, and businesses need to understand intellectual property to protect their most valuable assets. Whether you've written a novel, designed a logo, or…

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