• Copyright laws protect works of authorship from being illegally reproduced.black copyright symbol image by Angie Chauvin from Fotolia.com
  
  The current United States copyright law is based on the Copyright Act of 1976. This act protects work of authorship from being illegally copied for a certain number of years, depending on date of registration. The ideas from the work can be copied, but the copying the work exactly is prohibited. For example, the written description of a machine is protected, but the machine itself may be copied.
  
  

Works Protected

• Under United States law, any rightful citizen can register for a copyright as long as they present an original work, or a work that has not been previously produced. As defined by the United States copyright law, works that are protected include literary works, dramatic works, musical works, pantomimes or choreographic works, graphic works, pictorial works, sculptural works, motion pictures or other audiovisual works, architectural works, and sound recordings.
  
  

Duration of Copyrights

• In accordance with the Copyright Act of 1976, any works registered before 1978 will be protected by copyright for 28 years, with an option to apply for an additional 28 years at the end of the first term. Current law allows the second term for copyrights to last between 28 to 67 years for a total of 95 protected years.
  
  Any works registered after 1978 are protected for the duration of author's life plus an additional 70 years. If the author is anonymous, the copyright will last for 95 years from the date of publication.
  
  

Copyright Registration

• Any person wanting a copyright may first register for a copyright. Although registration is not required, it helps document the copyright and ensures more protection for your work. Registration must be done with the United States Copyright Office. Applications should be filled out online at the U.S. Copyright website or sent in the mail. A $65.00 deposit is required with applications submitted by mail.
  
  

Copyright Application

• People that are allowed to file for a copyright include the author, the agent of the author, or the current owner of the copyright if applicable. Copyright applications do not need to be filed or prepared by an attorney. Copyright applications may be found online but must be sent in paper form. A deposit of $35.00 and the work to be copyrighted also must be submitted. The deposit may be paid online or sent with the application.
  
  

Copyright Certificate

• After your copyright registration and application have been processed, a copyright certificate will be mailed to your home. This copyright certificate is an acknowledgment of a work and proof of copyright. Processing and receiving the copyright certificate will take anywhere between nine and 22 months, but many applicants receive the certificate earlier.