What is excluded from copyright?
Asked by: Lilyan Lind | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (23 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 are 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. These may be used or copied without permission or payment of royalties (unless they happen to be protected under trademark law).
What is excluded from copyright protection?
Titles, names, short phrases, slogans
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 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 things are not copyrightable?
Lots of other things!
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).
Copyright, Exceptions, and Fair Use: Crash Course Intellectual Property #3
What are the four things copyright does 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." How is copyright law different from patent, trademark, or trade secret law?
What content is not copyrighted?
Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.
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 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 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.
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).
What to put to avoid copyright?
How to write a copyright disclaimer
- the copyright symbol (©);
- your name as author and your website's name. It can also be the name of an organization, a business, or a corporate name;
- a current year or year range;
- a statement of ownership (“All Rights Reserved”).
What is ineligible for 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 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).
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 words are not copyrighted?
According to 37 C.F.R. §202.1(a), the following are not subject to copyright: “Words and short phrases such as names, titles, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering or coloring; mere listing of ingredients or contents.”
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 is the 3 month rule for copyright?
The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP.
What song did Ed Sheeran get accused of copyright?
Ed Sheeran has successfully defended a US music copyright infringement case, which claimed that his song Thinking Out Loud copied Let's Get It On, a song co-written and performed by Marvin Gaye.
How much do you have to change something to avoid copyright?
Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another's work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner's consent.
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.
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.
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.
How do I post without copyright infringement?
Get permission before reposting
As with a lot of copyright infringement issues, the best way to avoid copyright infringement on social media is to make sure you get permission from the original creator or owner before reposting or using the content. If you're not sure who the owner is, don't risk it.
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.