LibGuides: Mitchell Literary Review: Copyright for Writers

What is Copyright?

Copyright is the legal right to copy, share, or publish your own creative and intellectual works.

U.S. Copyright law applies to nearly all creative and intellectual works
by creating something original, or recreating something in an original format, you own copyright.
Works are protected automatically, without copyright notice or registration
you do not need to file any special paperwork to claim copyright. It is yours automatically, as soon as you create an original work.
Owners hold specific rights but not all rights
there are limits to copyright (such as time limits, publishers with contracts, etc.)
Author is the first copyright owner
except for "work for hire" and a few other situations.
Fair Use & Permitted Uses
these allow for additional exceptions to copyright.

adapted from Columbia University Libraries' Copyright Quick Guide