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Category: copyright in education

Background looks like a brown wooden table. On it, are two beige parchments showing early Copyright laws. On the right are two photographs with white frames around them. One is black and white and shows people working in a file room. The other is a color photograph of an aerial view of the Jefferson and Madison buildings on Capitol Hill

New Learning Engine Video Highlights the History of Copyright

Posted by: Nora Scheland

This blog post introduces the U.S. Copyright Office’s newest Learning Engine video, “History of Copyright,” which chronicles the history of copyright and the Copyright Office. The Office has released the video, and this blog post, timed with the 234th anniversary of the Congressional bill that eventually became the first federal copyright law.

Black man sits in front of a desk with three monitors, processing books from a library cart next to him

Copyright Deposit Requirements May Be Easier Than You Think

Posted by: Nora Scheland

The best edition physical deposit requirement for copyright registration has long been a key part of U.S. copyright law, but in recent years, the U.S. Copyright Office has worked to clarify and simplify some of the deposit requirements. This blog post outlines some of the recent changes and where to find more information.

Children draw copyright images on a blue poster

World IP Day 2022—IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future

Posted by: Alison Hall

The U.S. Copyright Office joins intellectual property organizations around the world in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day. This year's theme is IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future. The Copyright Office is sharing the message that everyone, no matter their age, is a creator.

Bright white and orange sticker that says "Hello my name is" followed by a blank white space

What’s in a Name: Using Pseudonyms When Registering Works with the Copyright Office

Posted by: Nora Scheland

The following is a guest post by Jessica Chinnadurai, a registration specialist at the U.S. Copyright Office. My first name, Jessica, was the most popular baby girl name in the 1990s. My last name, Chinnadurai, is a unique surname with origins in southern India. The dichotomy has resulted in me being fascinated by names. We …

The Art of Healing: A Nostalgic Ode to Black Hair Braiding

Posted by: Ashley Tucker

Black history tells powerful stories of innovation, perseverance, triumph, and celebration but also stories of loss, tragedy, trauma, and pain. Historically, African Americans have turned to art for its inexplicable healing powers. There is healing in African American spirituals and in praise dance; in African drums; and in beatboxing, in storytelling, and in rhythm and blues. …

Celebratory photos of Black families and copyrightable materials like music and books

A Family of Creative Works in Celebration of Black History Month

Posted by: Holland Gormley

The following is a guest post by Annette James, a program coordinator at the U.S. Copyright Office. As I reflect upon the 2021 Black History Month theme, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, the word family captures a wealth of emotions. It calls up memories of childhood and retrospection on lessons learned. It brings …

Six Copyright Concepts Your K-12 Students Should Know

Posted by: Nicole McNew Chen

Whether you're teaching young students just starting out or preparing older students for life beyond high school, incorporating copyright concepts into your lesson plans can help engage a student's creativity and foster an appreciation for the importance of protecting creative works. To get you started, here are six concepts that will help students better understand copyright.