U.S. Copyright Act

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The U.S. Copyright Act is the primary federal statute that defines and governs copyright protection, rights, and limitations in the United States.


Statements (58)
Predicate Object
instanceOf copyright law
federal statute
administeredBy United States Congress
amendedBy Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988
Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Music Modernization Act
Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act
codifiedIn Title 17 of the United States Code
constitutionalBasis U.S. Constitution Article I Section 8 Clause 8
currentCoreVersion Copyright Act of 1976
defines collective works
compilations
derivative works
fixed in a tangible medium of expression
original works of authorship
publication
subject matter of copyright
work made for hire
effectiveDateOf1976Act 1978-01-01
governs copyright infringement remedies
copyright protection in the United States
exclusive rights of copyright owners
limitations and exceptions to copyright
grantsRight adaptation right
digital audio transmission right for sound recordings
distribution right
public display right
public performance right
reproduction right
implementedBy federal courts of the United States
implements Berne Convention principles in U.S. law
WIPO Copyright Treaty obligations in part
includesProvision attorney’s fees for prevailing parties
compulsory licenses
criminal penalties for willful infringement
educational use exceptions
fair use doctrine
first sale doctrine
library and archives exceptions
statutory damages
jurisdiction United States
locatedInCode 17 U.S.C. §§ 101–810
majorRevisionYear 1909
1976
originallyEnactedInYear 1790
originalTitle Copyright Act of 1790
overseenBy U.S. Copyright Office
provides moral rights for certain visual artists
purpose to promote the progress of science and useful arts
section Section 101 definitions
Section 106 exclusive rights
Section 107 fair use
Section 108 library and archives exceptions
Section 109 first sale doctrine
Section 110 educational and other performances and displays
Section 512 online service provider safe harbors
sets copyright duration rules

Referenced by (7)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Register of Copyrights
United States Copyright Office
legalBasis
Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act ("Copyright Act of 1976")
Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("United States Copyright Act of 1976")
relatedTo
U.S. Copyright Act ("Copyright Act of 1976")
currentCoreVersion
Title 17 of the United States Code ("Copyright Act of 1976")
historicallyBasedOn
U.S. Copyright Act ("Copyright Act of 1790")
originalTitle

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