Ross Patent Law Office
Specializing in Patents,
Trademarks and Copyrights
Copyrights
A U.S. Copyright registration is obtained by filing a copyright application with the U.S.
Copyright Office. A federally registered copyright is a grant of exclusive rights guaranteed
by the United States government to a work of authorship such as musical works, written
works, performance works, or visual works.  The duration of a U.S.  Copyright varies
depending upon who created the work (i.e., an individual or corporation) and upon when
the work was created.  For example, works created after 1978 are extended copyright
protection for a term ending 70 years after the death of the author.  

The five exclusive rights granted by a copyright are as follows:
    1) the exclusive right to reproduce the work,
    2) the exclusive right to prepare derivative works such a translations and abridged
versions,
    3) the exclusive right to distribute copies of the work to the public by sale or rental,
    4) the exclusive right to perform the work publicly such as for music, plays, dances,
pantomimes, and motion pictures, and         
    5) the exclusive right to display the work publicly such as for paintings, sculptures, or
photographs.  

A copyright only protects you from others who may copy your work.  If someone
independently creates the same work, without knowing of your work, both of you could
potentially obtain a copyright of your independently created works.
Genius is one
percent inspiration
and ninety-nine
percent
perspiration... .

Thomas A. Edison