WHAT IS COPYRIGHT- DO I NEED A COPYRIGHT

The word copyright gets thrown around freely and often I am guilty of long rambles about copyright.  So what the heck am I talking about? Today we are going to answer- What is copyright? Do I have a Copyright? How do I create a Copyright? Why I should have a Copyright?

What is Copyright?

First, it has to be authored. The author is the individual who has created the work the person who created the work, expression, art, etc. is the author except if they are a “work for hire.”

Secondly, it has to be something original that has been created you can't copy another person’s work, company, website or artists, etc. 

Lastly, it has to be something fixed or tangible.  This means that it has to be something you can hold whether its paper, video or cd.

Now, Copyright is only established once it is recorded, written or created so that it can be touched, this is called, common-law copyright.

So I said all that but what can actually be copyrighted?

Content that can be copyrighted:

• Music

• Lyrics

• Graphics

• Sculptures

• Choreo

• Literature

• Videos

• Photos

• Book/ Ebooks

• Website Content

• Podcast Recordings

• Logos

• Speeches

• Presentations

• Webinars

  Should I Register for a Copyright?

  The top reasons you want to register your copyright is to establish ownership and create legal remedies for unauthorized usage of your work and creativity. Being proactive to get your own © (mark for federally registered copyrights) for your work is one of the best ways to invest in yourself, your work, and your creativity

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