Works Protected by Copyright Law FAQs
Q: What works are protected by copyright?
A: All original works of authorship can be copyrighted‚ including literary works‚ musical works along with accompanying lyrics‚ dramatic works along with accompanying music‚ pantomimes and choreographic works‚ pictorial works‚ motion pictures and other audiovisual works‚ sound recordings‚ architectural works‚ and computer software. However‚ facts‚ ideas‚ systems‚ and methods of operations cannot be copyrighted‚ though unique expressions of the above may receive protection.
Q: Can I copyright a name‚ title‚ slogan‚ or logo?
A: Names‚ titles‚ slogans‚ and short phrases are not copyrightable. However‚ they may receive protection as trademarks. Logo artwork‚ on the other hand‚ may be copyrighted if it contains sufficient original authorship. An artistic logo may also receive protection as a trademark.
Q: Can I copyright my website?
A: Website content‚ such as written text‚ visual art‚ photographs‚ and other forms of authorship may be copyrighted.
Q: Can the domain name of my website be copyrighted?
A: Domain names cannot be copyrighted. Instead‚ Domain names may at times be protected through trademark laws. The nonprofit organization Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the domain name system through accredited registers.
Q: Can I copyright a recipe?
A: You cannot copyright your recipe if it is in the form of a list of ingredients. However‚ you may protect your recipe if it is expressed with substantial literary qualities in the form of explanations or directions. It may also be protected if it is compiled with other recipes in an original cookbook. If your recipe contains a secret ingredient you do not want revealed‚ do not register your recipe‚ or else it would become part of the public record. Instead most recipes are protected as trade secrets.
Q: Can I copyright my band name?
A: While a band name may receive protection as a trademark‚ band names by themselves may not be copyrighted.
Q: What other things are not copyrightable?
A: You cannot have an abstract idea for a work copyrighted. It must be fixed in a tangible form‚ whether through written words or electronic recordings.
A product that consists of no original authorship but of natural or self-evident facts‚ such as standard calendars‚ height and weight charts‚ tape measures‚ and rulers‚ may not be copyrighted.
Government works may not receive protection under copyright law.
Finally‚ works in the public domain and those with expired copyrights are not protected.
Q: Where can I find reliable copyright lawyers in southern California?
A: The legal team at Mandour & Associates‚ APC has helped many entrepreneurs‚ small companies‚ and large corporations protect their IP assets and resolve their intellectual property disputes.
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For sound legal counsel by experienced copyright attorneys‚ please contact us today.
