About Advice > Startup

Copyright

A copyright is a form of legal protection for "original works of authorship." Screenplays, music, employee handbooks and commercial brochures are examples of work that is eligible for copyright protection, giving owners the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform and display their work. Legal protection is extended as soon as the work is created, though registration provides the copyright owner with the advantage of establishing public awareness of its use.

Filing Procedures
The U.S. Copyright Office is the authority concerning copyright law and filing procedures. The Office maintains a comprehensive, interactive Web site.

Copyright Expiration
The duration of copyright protection depends not only on when a work is created but also when it is published.