What can be protected from copyright?

Asked by: Opal Hirthe  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (59 votes)

Copyright protects original creative works fixed in a tangible form, covering categories like literary works (books, software, articles), musical works (songs, scores), dramatic works (plays, screenplays), visual arts (paintings, photos, sculptures), audiovisual works (movies, TV), sound recordings, and architectural works. It protects the expression, not the underlying idea, fact, or system, and requires originality and fixation (being written down, recorded, etc.).

What can be protected by copyright?

What does copyright protect? 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.

What are the three things not protected by copyright?

Ideas, facts, and concepts are not protected by copyright law. Although they are not protectable by copyright, the expression of those ideas, facts, and concepts are protectable, such as in a description, explanation, or illustration or as a database of facts.

What can't be protected by copyright?

Copyright does not protect ideas or information, only the original expression of ideas or information. It does not prevent someone else from discussing the same subject or independently producing the same work. Copyright does not usually protect names and titles, because these are not considered original enough.

What materials can be protected by copyright?

Copyright protection automatically applies for the following:

  • literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work.
  • software, web content, and databases.
  • film and television recordings.
  • sound and music recordings.
  • layout of published editions.

Copyright Protection: What Can Be Protected and What Cannot be Protected

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What is not covered under copyright?

Some things are not protected by copyright. For example, copyright does not protect factual information or data, titles, short word combinations, names, characters, slogans, themes, plots, or ideas.

What items cannot be copyrighted?

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks.

What are the three exceptions to copyright?

You generally need to obtain a license (i.e., explicit written permission) to use a third party's copyrighted material. There are three major exceptions to this rule: (1) the face-to-face instruction exception, (2) the online instruction exception (also known as the TEACH Act), and (3) the fair use exception.

What are the four things copyright does not protect?

What copyright does not protect

  • Materials Not Creative Enough to be Protected.
  • Idea / Expression Dichotomy.
  • Works with Expired Copyrights (“Public Domain”)
  • Work that is Copied as Fair Use.

Do you still own the copyright if you sell a painting?

In reality, when you sell a painting, the buyer owns the physical object, but you retain the copyright unless you explicitly transfer it. Copyright gives you the following exclusive rights: The reproduction right (making prints or digital copies) The distribution right (issuing copies to the public)

What is not eligible for copyright protection?

Items like facts, ideas, concepts, short phrases, slogans, government documents, fashion designs, and unrecorded performances are not protected. They either lack originality, are functional, or belong to the public domain.

What are the four fair use exceptions to copyright?

Fair use of copyrighted works, as stated in US copyright law, “for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.”

What to put to avoid copyright?

How to write a copyright disclaimer

  1. the copyright symbol (©);
  2. your name as author and your website's name. It can also be the name of an organization, a business, or a corporate name;
  3. a current year or year range;
  4. a statement of ownership (“All Rights Reserved”).

What are the 5 rights of copyright?

The five fundamental rights that the bill gives to copyright owners—the exclusive rights of reproduction, adaptation, publication, performance, and display—are stated generally in section 106.

Can you use a song after 20 years?

Yes, you can use a song after 20 years, but it depends on whether its copyright has expired; most modern songs remain protected for life of the author plus 70 years, but older songs (pre-1978) might be entering the public domain, allowing free use, though you still need a license for specific recordings or new performances. After 20 years, you'll likely still need permission (a license) to use popular songs, but some older, obscure works might become free to use (public domain). 

How do I know if something is protected by copyright?

Copyright protection arises automatically when a work is created and generally subsists until 70 years after the author's death, though this can vary depending on the type of work and where you want to use it.

Can a sentence be copyrighted?

Similar to single words, you cannot copyright a phrase. That said, you can trademark a phrase used for commercial purposes.

What are 5 specific items that are likely to be copyrighted?

The subject matter eligible for protection is set forth in the Copyright Act of 1976. Copyrightable works include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as books, plays, music, lyrics, paintings, sculptures, video games, movies, sound recordings, and software.

What are the 4 pillars of copyright?

The four pillars of intellectual property law consist of copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets.

What is the most famous copyright exception?

The fair use exception permits a party to use a work without the copyright owner's permission and without compensating the copyright owner for such use in certain circumstances.

Which of the following items cannot be copyrighted?

Names, Titles, and Slogans

A book title, product name, or business slogan isn't covered by copyright. These fall under trademark law, if they're distinctive enough and used in commerce.

What are three works that are protected by copyright?

Examples of works protected by copyright are:

  • Literary Works.
  • Computer software.
  • Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works (e.g. paintings, drawings, carvings, photographs, clothing designs)
  • Architectural works (buildings as well as blueprints, drawings, diagrams, models)

What images are not subject to copyright?

If an image meets one or more of the following criteria, it is royalty-free:

  • Created by the U.S federal government.
  • In the public domain (first copyrighted in the US prior to 1925) are not subject to copyright law and can be used by others. ...
  • Subject to creative commons licenses (details below).

What are common copyright violations?

One of the most common forms of copyright violation involves downloading or sharing songs and movies from the Internet without the express consent of the copyright owner.

Is Coca-Cola a trademark or copyright?

You further acknowledge that Coca Cola owns the trademarks “Coca Cola”, “Coke” and all associated Coca Cola trade names, service marks and logos. All other trademarks used on the Site are the property of their respective owners.