Copyright
A copyright is an IP right that protects original creative works.
- U.S. Constitution establishes federal copyright protection
- first federal copyright law established 1790
- latest federal copyright law was 1976 Copyright Act
- states are preempted from creating their own copyright laws
- copyright is marked with an uppercase “C” in an enclosed circle or ©
- law does not require this
- Even if the material is not marked, it may be copyrighted
Info
Federal law governs patent and copyright issues. State laws are preempted. This is because the Constitution granted the federal government the specific power to make laws to protect authors and inventors.