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Copyright and Fair Use Guide: Copyright

This guide provides basic information on copyright and fair us. This tutorial has been borrowed with permission from Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’s Medical Library’s Copyright and Fair Use Guide.

Copy Right FAQ's

What is a copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

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. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

When is my work protected?

Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Is my copyright good in other countries?

The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and because of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. (Taken from the Copyright about Copyright site: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/)

(Taken from Copyright and Fair Use Guide site: http://libguides.medlib.fiu.edu/c.php?g=499061&p=3417193)