{"id":4950,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/copyright-definitions.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T02:23:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T07:23:30","slug":"copyright-definitions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/copyright-definitions.html","title":{"rendered":"Key Terms to Know in Copyright Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Key Terms to Know in Copyright Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Copyright protection is critical in providing legal protection for individuals and small business owners’ creative and intellectual property rights. Whether you are an inventor, author, musician, or entrepreneur, understanding the nuances of copyright law is imperative for safeguarding your creations.<\/p>\r\n

Knowing some key terms related to copyrights<\/a> can help you better understand this often-complicated area of law. Below, you’ll find essential copyright terms defined.<\/p>\r\n

Architectural Works:<\/b> Architectural designs and structures that are eligible for copyright protection.<\/p>\r\n

Berne Convention:<\/b> The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is an international treaty offering copyright protection to foreign works under certain conditions. It was first signed in Berne, Switzerland 1886, and the United States joined in March 1989.<\/p>\r\n

Certificate of Registration:<\/b> An official paper denoting that a particular copyright has a registration with the U.S. Copyright Office<\/a>. Registration is no longer required but can help protect a copyrighted work.<\/p>\r\n

Copy:<\/b> The material object in which the copyrighted work is first fixed. This means one perceives it or can reproduce it.<\/p>\r\n

Copyright:<\/b> A type of protection provided to "original works of authorship" that are "fixed in a tangible form." Copyright protection is available to certain categories of works<\/a>, including:<\/p>\r\n