During her nearly twenty-five years with the Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was involved in many copyright law cases and wrote the majority opinion for one of the most important decisions, Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., Inc. She was also a copyright owner, writing and registering memoirs and children’s books with the Copyright Office. Learn more about her legal and creative legacy in this blog post.
This year’s Black History Month theme of Celebrating African Americans and the Arts recognizes the impact of Black artists and their creations as well as the significant role of copyright in creative industries. As part of this year’s celebration, we reflect on the legacy of Alice Walker and her book The Color Purple.
Every year on January 1, a new class of creative works enters the public domain in the United States. This year, a variety of works published in 1928, ranging from motion pictures to music to books, joined others in the public domain. The public domain has important historical and cultural benefits in the lifecycle of copyright. Here we highlight a selection of works entering the public domain in 2024.
More than once, a cover of a hit song has become an even bigger hit than the original. According to American Songwriter, it happened with songs such as “Respect” (written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, remake by Aretha Franklin), “All Along the Watchtower” (written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan, remake by Jimi Hendrix), …
While athletic moves or goal celebrations are creative, they are not protected by copyright law. Creative works inspired by sports, however, may be protected by copyright, such as photographs, movies, and music.
2022 Junior Fellow Vela Burke, a designer-turned-children’s librarian, shares her experiences with copyright registration as an artist who has licensed her work.
Find Star Wars in copyright! Do you have a favorite Star Wars sequel, game, or toy? They're all derivative works from the original Star Wars movie. Explore the connection between Star Wars and copyright in the exhibit, Find Yourself in Copyright.
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.
The Gee's Bend quilters have a rich creative history. Through educational outreach from various organizations, the women of Gee's Bend have learned about copyright and their intellectual property rights.
