What Type of Intellectual Property Can a Copyright Protect?
Copyright protection can go a long way to help establish your rights to certain ideas, research, and works. However, a copyright can’t protect against everything. There are two essential methods of protecting intellectual property, and although copyright protection is key, trademarks can also be used to protect key phrases, logos, imagery, and other similar business representations. So, knowing that, what exactly does a copyright protect?
According to the U.S. Copyright Office:
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright does not protect:
[...] facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
What Can I Copyright?
The U.S. Copyright Office defines works eligible for copyright with broad terms- but what, specifically, can be protected under copyright? In essence, copyright does not protect ideas, it protects the works created by those original ideas.
Copyright protection includes original works, including those published in hard copy and certain types of works published online. Not everything is included in this, however. Recipes, for example, will not often be included under copyright law unless they are included in a published literary work. However, music compositions, lyrics, and computer programming is protected under copyright. This also includes coding for original programs. Because copyright law can be so complex and particular, it is important to discuss the intricacies of your unique situation with an attorney.
At Scaringi Law, our attorneys understand the ins and outs of copyright law, and we can help you navigate the proper course of action to protect your intellectual property. Whether you require trademark protection or copyright, we can help take action on your behalf.
Ready to get started? Ask about a free initial consultation with our copyright attorneys at Scaringi Law.