Omar Bennett
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship. It is grounded in the U.S. Constitution, which gave Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights. The Supreme Court has recognised that some restriction on expression is the inherent and intended effect of every grant of copyright. The Library of Congress has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | United States Library of Congress |
| Copyright protection | Granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression |
| Copyright coverage | Literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture |
| Copyright exclusion | Facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation |
| Copyright duration | Exclusive rights for a limited amount of time |
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What You'll Learn
The Library of Congress
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. In the US, the Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection. This includes copyright-free books, newspapers, maps, music, films, and more.
The LOC is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in its collections. It was established in 1800 and is the primary research arm of the US Congress. The LOC is also home to the US Copyright Office, which is responsible for registering and protecting copyrights.
The US Constitution gives Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights. This power is broad, and Congress has the authority to grant exclusive rights to creators for a limited amount of time. The Supreme Court has interpreted statutes related to copyright but has not extended protections without legislative guidance.
The Intellectual Property (IP) Clause and the First Amendment were adopted close in time, and the Framers believed that copyright's limited monopolies are compatible with free speech principles. The Framers intended copyright to provide economic incentives for creators to express and disseminate their ideas.
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Congress's power over copyright
Copyright is a form of protection for original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. It is grounded in the US Constitution, which gives Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights. This power is broad, and the Supreme Court has interpreted statutes but has not extended protections without legislative guidance.
Congress has the power to promote scientific progress and artistic achievement by securing for limited times the exclusive right of authors and inventors to their respective writings and discoveries. This power is known as the Intellectual Property (IP) Clause, and it was adopted close in time to the First Amendment. The Framers believed that copyright's limited monopolies are compatible with free speech principles and that copyright would be "the engine of free expression" by providing economic incentives to create and disseminate ideas.
The Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection. These include copyright-free books, newspapers, maps, music, films, and more.
While Congress's power over copyrights is broad, it is not unlimited. The Supreme Court has recognised that "some restriction on expression is the inherent and intended effect of every grant of copyright". However, the restrictions on speech effected by copyright are not ordinarily subject to heightened scrutiny.
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The Supreme Court's interpretation of copyright
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It is grounded in the US Constitution, which gives Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights. The Supreme Court has recognised that "some restriction on expression is the inherent and intended effect of every grant of copyright".
The Supreme Court has interpreted statutes but has not extended protections without legislative guidance. The Court has reasoned that, because the Intellectual Property (IP) Clause and the First Amendment were adopted close in time, the Framers believed that "copyright's limited monopolies are compatible with free speech principles". The Framers intended copyright to be "the engine of free expression" by providing "the economic incentive to create and disseminate ideas".
Congress's power over copyrights and patents is broad. Patents and copyrights give the creator exclusive rights for a limited amount of time, each in a slightly different way. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
The Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection. These include copyright-free books, newspapers, maps, music, films, and more.
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Copyright as a form of intellectual property law
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It is grounded in the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights. Copyright, as a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. This includes poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. For example, the Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection. This includes copyright-free books, newspapers, maps, music, films, and more.
The Supreme Court has recognised that "some restriction on expression is the inherent and intended effect of every grant of copyright". However, the restrictions on speech effected by copyright are not ordinarily subject to heightened scrutiny. The Supreme Court has reasoned that, because the Intellectual Property (IP) Clause and the First Amendment were adopted close in time, the Framers believed that "copyright's limited monopolies are compatible with free speech principles".
Congress's power over copyrights and patents is broad, and so the Supreme Court has interpreted statutes but has not seen fit to extend protections without legislative guidance. Patents and copyrights give the creator exclusive rights for a limited amount of time, each in a slightly different way.
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Copyright's limited monopolies and free speech principles
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. The U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights, with the aim of promoting scientific progress and artistic achievement.
Congress's power over copyrights and patents is broad, and the Supreme Court has interpreted statutes but has not extended protections without legislative guidance. The Supreme Court has recognised that "some restriction on expression is the inherent and intended effect of every grant of copyright". However, the restrictions on speech effected by copyright are not ordinarily subject to heightened scrutiny.
The Supreme Court has reasoned that, because the Intellectual Property (IP) Clause and the First Amendment were adopted close in time, the Framers believed that "copyright's limited monopolies are compatible with free speech principles". The Framers intended copyright to be "the engine of free expression" by providing "the economic incentive to create and disseminate ideas".
The Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection. These include copyright-free books, newspapers, maps, music, films, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
The Library of Congress (LOC) has a special collection of federal government materials that are not subject to copyright protection.
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
Patents and copyrights give the creator exclusive rights for a limited amount of time, each in a slightly different way. Congress's power over copyrights and patents is broad, so the Supreme Court has interpreted statutes but has not seen fit to extend protections without legislative guidance.
The Constitution gave Congress the power to create laws regarding patents and copyrights in order to promote scientific progress and artistic achievement.
