by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Enrico Schaefer - March 3, 2011 - What is a Copyright?
Copyright is a protection of intellectual property afforded by the U.S. Constitution and formalized in U.S> Copyright law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression, covering published and unpublished works. Copyright can protect literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architectural works, but not facts, methods of operation, ideas or systems.
A copyright protected work is protected when it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. You must register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office in order for a patent and copyright attorney to file a copyright infringement lawsuit in a United States Federal Court.
As a founding partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, he has more than thirty years of experience as an attorney for both established companies and emerging start-ups. His extensive experience includes navigating technology law matters and complex litigation throughout the United States.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.
