The following blog is authored by Ashley Tucker, with legal research by Jessica Chinnadurai and Laura Kaiser. Over the last several years on January 1, we have witnessed a new class of creative works entering the public domain in the United States. In 2026, a variety of works published in 1930, ranging from motion pictures to music …
The U.S. Copyright Office provides a wide range of resources to support creators, educators, and other copyright users, but some of the most valuable tools can fly under the radar. Here are five lesser-known Office resources that can help you better understand, register, and manage your creative works. 1. Copyright Registration Toolkit This year, the …
The U.S. Copyright Office recently released the Copyright Registration Toolkit: a highly visual guide that breaks down key steps and concepts to help creators navigate the copyright system. The toolkit was designed for authors, artists, musicians, and others as they manage their own creative works as well as for business and legal advisors who support …
Since its initial observation in the United States in 1976, Black History Month celebrates the achievements, contributions, culture, and history of African Americans. Every year, the Copyright Office highlights the impact of Black artists within the copyright system. In particular, copyright incentivizes the production of performing arts works, which are generally intended to be performed before an …
On September 11, the U.S. Copyright Office released a report, The Geography of Copyright Registrations. The report examines the geographic distribution of copyright claims registered by individuals and organizations within the United States using a dataset compiled by the Office of the Chief Economist. The purpose of this report is to better recognize how patterns …
The following is a guest blog post by Miriam Lord, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education. Each year on April 26, the U.S. Copyright Office joins intellectual property organizations around the world in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day. This year’s theme, set by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is …
The Copyright Office celebrates Women’s History Month and this year’s theme, “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.” As part of this year’s celebration, Copyright Office staff sat down with Sarah Beth Morgan, an animation director, illustrator, and muralist who has practiced art across the country. Morgan attended Savannah College of Art and Design …
Since 1988, Americans have observed Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. This blog explores the impactful careers and creative contributions of Hispanic and Latin American creators: Linda Ronstadt, José Andrés, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Rita Moreno. Discover how their contributions are connected to the Copyright Office.
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, when we recognize the history and impact of LGBTQ individuals in the United States. This year, the Copyright Office celebrates Pride Month and extends our World Intellectual Property Day campaign by spotlighting Olivia Charmaine Morris (she/her), who is a queer media mogul and entrepreneur …
