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Posted by: Alison Hall
Learn more about the connection between Edgar Allan Poe and copyright at the Copyright Matters event “Quoth the Raven: Edgar Allan Poe & Derivative Works.” As we approach October, thoughts often turn to colorful foliage, cozy hoodies, and pumpkin spice everything. Some thoughts also drift toward the spooky season, bringing to mind scary stories and …
Posted in: Copyright, Copyright Matters, historical, News and Events
Posted by: Alison Hall
The following is a guest post by Mark Gray, attorney-advisor in the Office of the General Counsel. The deadline for the first wave of DMCA agent renewals is almost here. This post will explain what service providers need to know to maintain active agent registrations with the Copyright Office, and it will also answer some …
Posted in: Copyright, DMCA, online service provider
Posted by: Alison Hall
Not only is the Library of Congress celebrating the 200th anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth all month, but May is also the anniversary of Leaves of Grass, one of Whitman’s best-known works. Walter Whitman (as he called himself then) registered his copyright for the first edition of Leaves of Grass on May 15, 1855, in …
Posted in: Copyright, historical, Uncategorized, virtual card catalog
Posted by: Alison Hall
Today, the Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Board announced this year’s list of films added to the National Film Registry. Many favorite films are already part of the Registry, including Star Wars, The Muppet Movie, Airplane!, This Is Spinal Tap, The Breakfast Club, Top Gun, and The Princess Bride. This year’s additions do …
Posted in: Copyright, film, Uncategorized
Posted by: Alison Hall
While closing out our celebration of Women’s History Month, I discovered that female songwriters have been registering works with the Copyright Office for more than 147 years. I began my research with book one of the official U.S. Copyright Office record book, which contains registrations of several songs written by women in 1870. As I …
Posted in: Copyright, Uncategorized, Women's History
Posted by: Alison Hall
Today is International Women’s Day. Here in the United States, we are in the midst of celebrating women’s history month. In recognition of these events, the Copyright Office wants to call attention to the women who contribute to creativity—both those who work (or have worked) in the Office and those who register their creative works. …
Posted in: Copyright, Uncategorized, Women's History
Posted by: Alison Hall
I taught group fitness classes for many years, and I choreographed hundreds of complex step routines. I learned from some of the best choreographers in the industry, all who were willing to share their genius. I always wondered how much of their work I could legally use. Could they register a copyright for it? Could …
Posted in: Choreography, Copyright
Posted by: Alison Hall
The following is a guest post by Alexandra El-Bayeh, registration specialist in the Office of Registration Policy & Practice. The Copyright Office’s new rule requiring applicants to file supplementary registrations online goes into effect today. On June 15, 2017, the Office published the final rule after receiving comments from the public. What is a supplementary …
Posted in: Registration, rulemakings, Uncategorized
Posted by: Alison Hall
Wonder Woman was—and still is—a hero to many young girls. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to twirl in circles and turn into a super hero? On top of that, she had the invisible plane, magic belt, bullet-stopping bracelets, the lasso of truth, and that awesome tiara. So when I found out Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden …
Posted in: Copyright