What is Copyright?
Learn about the basics of copyright with our new online reference page.
The U.S. Copyright Office buildings are closed to the public until further notice. Assistance by phone and email, as well as online services, is still available. Read more.
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Register Your Works
Register your work or learn more about the registration process with the Copyright Office.
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Recordation
We accept certain types of documents for filing and indexing into our public records.
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Copyright Law
View current Copyright Law of the United States and related laws contained in Title 17 of the U.S.Code.
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Quick Links
- Coronavirus Updates
Operations updates during the COVID-19 pandemic
- U.S. Copyright Law
Title 17 of the U.S. Code
- Code of Federal Regulations
Title 37, Chapter II
- Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices
Third Edition
- Copyright Modernization
Modernization efforts across the entire Office
- Music Modernization Act
Background and implementation steps
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News & Events
- Join the Copyright Office’s Celebration of the Copyright Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg | January 25
- Copyright Office Updates Copyright.gov Design and Navigation | January 21
- U.S. Copyright Office Releases Updated Version of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition on January 28, 2021 | January 14
- Copyright Office Further Extends Timing Adjustments for Persons Affected by the COVID-19 Emergency | January 7
- Copyright Office Issues Final Rule Regarding Transition Period Cumulative Reporting and Transfer of Royalties to the Mechanical Licensing Collective | January 7
- Older news
The Music Modernization Act
This featured video highlights The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (Music Modernization Act) the most significant piece of copyright legislation in decades and updates our current laws to reflect modern consumer preferences and technological developments in the music marketplace.
