What can't be protected by copyright?

Asked by: Camille Kautzer  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (32 votes)

Copyright does not protect ideas, facts, systems, short phrases, names, titles, or slogans, but rather the specific creative expression of those things, like a story's plot (idea) vs. the written description (expression). Things like methods, procedures, discoveries, common knowledge (calendars, rulers), and utilitarian objects are also generally excluded, though trademark law might protect branding.

What things does copyright not protect?

Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section "What Works Are Protected."

Which cannot be protected by copyright?

What Else Is Not Protected by Copyright Law?

  • Procedures, processes and methods of operation;
  • Systems;
  • Principles and discoveries;
  • Titles, slogans, and other short phrases;
  • Lists of ingredients;
  • Creations that are not fixed in a tangible form, like an improvisational comedy sketch;

Which items cannot be copyrighted?

Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something.

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.

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

15 related questions found

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.

What are the limits of copyright?

National laws

In addition copyright can only protect the artist's expression of his/her work and not the ideas, systems, or factual information conveyed in it. Likewise, the U.S. courts have determined that stock characters are also uncopyrightable.

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.

What are 5 things that can be copyrighted?

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 work Cannot be legally protected by copyright?

Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans are not protected by copyright law. Similarly, it is clear that copyright law does not protect simple product lettering or coloring, or the mere listing of product ingredients or contents.

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 materials are not protected by copyright?

Copyright also does not protect:

  • Concepts, styles or techniques.
  • Equations, formulas, recipes.
  • Mass produced fashion, utilitarian objects like chairs.
  • Single words, names, titles and slogans.
  • People and their image.

What is not protected by copyright list 5?

There are many other things specifically not protected by copyright, including cooking recipes, fashion designs, titles and slogans, domain names, band names, genetic code, and “useful articles” that have a utilitarian function (like a lamp).

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.

Are recipes protected by copyright?

No, simple recipes are usually not protected by copyright due to the idea-expression dichotomy. The idea-expression dichotomy creates a dividing line between ideas, which are not protected by copyright law, and the expression of those ideas, which can be protected by copyright law.

What are the 4 moral rights of copyright?

There are four moral rights: The right of paternity: the right to be properly identified as the author or performer of a work. The right of integrity: the right not to have a work subjected to derogatory treatment. The right against false attribution: the right not to have a work falsely attributed to you.

What is not covered by copyright?

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

What are five laws 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.

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 cannot be trademarked?

The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)

What if I invested $1000 in Coca-Cola 10 years ago?

Investing $1,000 in Coca-Cola (KO) stock about 10 years ago (mid-2015 to mid-2025) would have grown significantly, potentially doubling or more, depending on the exact date, with returns often cited around 100-130% or more, turning your $1,000 into roughly $2,000 to $2,300+, but often underperforming a broader S&P 500 investment over that specific decade, though KO offers strong dividends as a "Dividend King".
 

Can you put your name on a coke bottle?

Yes, you can order personalized Coca-Cola bottles with names through the official Coca-Cola Store, primarily featuring the iconic 8oz glass bottles or cans, for personal use or corporate events, with options to add names, phrases, or special themes. You'll use their online customization tools, entering names for bulk orders or single names for smaller batches, keeping in mind content guidelines.
 

What is the golden rule of copyright?

We're all probably familiar with the saying, "If it's not yours, don't touch it." Copyright laws adhere to the same philosophy: the golden rule is to obtain the express permission from the owner, creator, or holder of the copyrighted material. Unless you're the creator of the work, you're not allowed to use it.

Do copyrights expire?

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.

How can I tell if something is copyrighted?

To check copyright, search the U.S. Copyright Office Public Records Portal by title, author, or number for registered works, use general search engines like Google (especially reverse image search), check Creative Commons for licensed content, or consult experts for complex cases, as copyright status depends on registration and publication dates, with older works potentially being in the public domain.