Copyright

U.S. Copyright Law is long and complicated. In essence, it exists to balance the rights of creators to make money off of their work with the rights of society to benefit from the wisdom and creativity of individuals.

Quick facts about copyright:

• Anything a person creates is automatically copyrighted to that person. This means you hold the copyright for everything you have ever written, drawn, or recorded!
• Images, movies, songs, and other creative works are also copyrighted. The artist, director, or musician holds the copyright--even if you bought a copy.
• Ideas cannot be copyrighted until they have been turned into something real. It doesn't matter who had the idea first, only who made something out of the idea.
• If you use someone else's words or ideas, you have to give them credit.
• There are limits on how much of someone else's work you can use, even if you give credit. It depends on what the work is, how much you use, how you share it, and why you share it. Find out more under Fair Use

Find out more about copyright from CopyrightKids and or by solving the Copyright Mystery.