What is Copyright?
Learn about the basics of copyright with our new online reference page.

The U.S. Copyright Office continues to provide registration, recordation, and information services, but there is currently no public access to our buildings. Read more.
Features

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
- Copyright Small Claims
Learn about the Copyright Claims Board

News & Events
- Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Scaled Agile Framework and the ECS | April 8
- Join the Copyright Office for World IP Day with "The Creative Business: Celebrating World IP Day and Taking Your Ideas to Market" | April 7
- Copyright Office Extends Deadline for Initial Determination in Web V Rate Setting Proceeding | March 29
- U.S. Copyright Office Issues Notification of Inquiry Regarding CASE Act Implementation Regulations | March 26
- U.S. Copyright Office Announces Job Postings for Copyright Claims Officers to Consider Small Copyright Claims | March 23
- 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.
