Official account of the U.S. Copyright Office, part of the @LibraryCongress. Promoting creativity & free expression via U.S. copyright law: loc.gov/connect
Washington, D.C.
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What does Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex teach us about copyright and unpublished works? Glad you asked. Answers await in our latest blog post, “Three Ways Meghan Markle Shows Us That Copyright Registration is for Everyone.” go.usa.gov/xzt8R
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The images in the @LibnOfCongress tweet are part of a new Copyright Office exhibit that can be viewed once the Madison Building is open to the public.
Did you know Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, wrote a book in 8th grade titled, A Face without Freckles... Is a Night Without Stars. She extols the wonder of freckles with drawings and verse. Meghan submitted it to the @CopyrightOffice in 1996. From @librarycongress collection:
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Choreography is protected by copyright. Create some new moves for a dance performance and register with the Copyright Office. #NationalDanceDay
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The Copyright Office issued a notice of inquiry in the Federal Register seeking public comment on questions about copyright law and policy issues raised by AI systems. Initial comments are due by October 18, 2023. Reply comments are due November 15, 2023. copyright.gov/newsnet/2023/1…
ALT Hands typing on a laptop keyboard next to a blue, green, and black background of servers and 0s and 1s; text reads: Study on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
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Welcome to the Library of Congress @paddingtonbear! Paddington has been part of the Copyright Office records since October 13, 1958, when author Michael Bond registered A Bear Called Paddington. go.usa.gov/xnNjZ
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In honor of #NationalCookieDay, check out #JimHenson's original copyright registration of @MeCookieMonster!
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Karyn A. Temple is named thirteenth Register of Copyrights and director of the U.S. Copyright Office. Read announcement: go.usa.gov/xEJX8 Read blog: go.usa.gov/xEJdA
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The Copyright Office has received lots of questions about certain Bitcoin registrations, see our response: go.usa.gov/xmfGq
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The Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act is signed into law. Find out more about the Act and the Copyright Office’s upcoming implementation efforts here: go.usa.gov/xPXWn #MusicModernizationAct
ALT Music Modernization Act signed into law October 11, 2018
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The Copyright Office was honored to present Annie Lennox with a certificate of registration for "When Tomorrow Comes" in person this week. Lennox was in Washington, DC to perform at the 2023 @librarycongress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song event honoring Joni Mitchell.
ALT Annie Lennox is presented an official copyright certificate at the Copyright Office.
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The Copyright Office extended the deadline to submit comments on its notice of inquiry on copyright & artificial intelligence. Initial written comments are now due by Monday, October 30, 2023, and reply comments are now due by Wednesday, November 29, 2023. copyright.gov/newsnet/2023/1…
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Copyright Office issues final rule regarding extra protections for super-cute cat pics. go.usa.gov/xmqnT
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Today, the Copyright Office is hosting its second public listening session on the impact of #AI on creators and creative industries from 1:00–4:00 p.m. eastern time. Register to attend and listen to the conversation on visual works: loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/regi…
ALT A set of hands at a laptop with swirling binary code and the text "Copyright and Artificial Intelligence"
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Today, Shira Perlmutter begins her tenure as the 14th Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office. Welcome, Shira! go.usa.gov/x723p
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Librarians! We published our first LibGuide which points you to resources to help answer common questions about copyright. go.usa.gov/xHr42 #NLWD21
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Chocolate chips are yay/ And recipes you must obey/ But remember, they are not protected by copyright on this #NationalCookieDay.
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We have lost an American icon, one of the first female Supreme Court Justices. Ruth Bader Ginsburg will forever remain an inspiration.
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Happy #NationalPetDay from the Copyright Office. All 10k of the photos you took of your cat while asleep are protected by copyright from the moment they are created.
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Today @librarycongress announced the 2017 National Film Registry. Many of these films have been registered for copyright and are preserved by the Library at the Packard Campus. #NatFilmRegistry go.usa.gov/xnRuU
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Today, the Copyright Office released Part 1 of its #AI Report, “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence,” which focuses on digital replicas—videos, images, or audio recordings that have been digitally created or manipulated to realistically but falsely depict an individual. (1/3)
ALT On the left, white text on a blue background reads: Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 1: Digital Replicas, July 2024, Copyright. On the right, a white and blue cover of the report sits against a background of floating pixels and 0s and 1s.
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Respect to Aretha Franklin, singer, songwriter, and actress whose musical legacy enriched the creative fabric of America.
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Maria Strong is named Acting Register of Copyrights, effective January 5, 2020. go.usa.gov/xpGZC
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The Copyright Office announces the Copyright Claims Board is now open and accepting claims. go.usa.gov/xJEZ9 #CASEAct
ALT In the background, three chairs sit at a table; there is a little blue filter over the entire image; in the foreground on the right, a pair of silver scissors cut a dark blue ribbon; text reads: Copyright Claims Board Accepting Claims Now! CCB.gov #CASEAct
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Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden names Shira Perlmutter as 14th Register of Copyrights and director of the U.S. Copyright Office. go.usa.gov/xGUFG
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This year marks the 25th anniversary of the movie Groundhog Day, registered with the Copyright Office in 1993. The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2006. #GroundhogDay #NationalFilmRegistry
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Gershwin Award winner Joni Mitchell explains the importance of protecting her published works. Copyright provides protection of original works of authorship to musicians, authors, painters, and other artists. #GershwinPrizePBS
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Today, the Copyright Office released Part 2 of its #AI Report, “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence,” which addresses the copyrightability of outputs created using generative AI. (1/3)
ALT On the left, white text on a blue background reads: Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability, January 2025, Copyright. On the right, a white and blue cover of the report sits against a background of floating pixels and 0s and 1s.
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On this day in 1897, a government appropriations bill established the Copyright Office as a separate department within the Library of Congress and created the position of Register of Copyrights.
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New year, new works for the public domain! Among our favorites is American classic The Great Gatsby. More on the public domain here piped.video/watch?v=PMp_-OX1…
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The Copyright Office remembers the life and legacy of Marybeth Peters, eleventh Register of Copyrights, who passed away on Thursday, September 29. copyright.gov/newsnet/2022/9…
ALT Photo of Marybeth Peters in color, set against black and white photo of Marybeth Peters in her early years working at the Copyright Office; text reads: In Memory of Marybeth Peters 1939 - 2022 11th Register of Copyrights
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In fiscal year 2021, the Copyright Office answered more than 283,000 copyright-related inquiries. What are some of your copyright questions?
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Congratulations to Regan Smith, General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights! Regan was named one of the most influential women in the IP sector by @WorldIPReview. #IPWomen2020 bit.ly/3dUn5yQ
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Happy Birthday to @LibraryCongress, home of the Copyright Office and the largest library in the world! President John Adams approved the establishment of the Library of Congress in 1800. The Copyright Office has been part of the Library since 1870. More: piped.video/watch?v=mFnfKRWy…
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I Have A Little Dreidel aka Dreidel Song, based on Mikhl Gelbart’s (pseudonym Ben Arn) Yiddish composition, was composed in 1896 with English lyrics by Samuel S. Grossman. Many artists have registered their versions with the Copyright Office. Happy Hanukkah!
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It's Fair Use week.The Copyright Office Fair Use Index now tracks 185 court cases of interest. go.usa.gov/x9JyT #fairuseweek2017
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Happy Fourth of July! Chances are you may have heard John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” today. The song was first registered with the Copyright Office in 1898 and now is in the public domain. #MuseumFireworksShow
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Happy birthday, @librarycongress. When you were founded, the U.S. Capitol was moving to DC, there were only 16 states, and a young Johnny Appleseed was laying the groundwork for his legend.
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Make bath time lots of fun today on Rubber Ducky's birthday. The album Rubber Ducky and Other Songs from Sesame Street was registered with the Copyright Office in 1970 and is still popular today. #RubberDuckyDay
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Almost 50 years after Barbara Ringer was appointed as Register of Copyrights, her legacy continues to inspire others. Read @levendowski’s account of how Ringer inspired her in our recent blog post. go.usa.gov/xed4X
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Copyright Office welcomes the next generation on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day #takeyourchildtoworkday
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Honored to host the international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Mary Breaux Wright, and her leadership team to receive copies of the sorority’s history for the Library of Congress. @ZPHIBHQ @librarycongress
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Today, the United States joined the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty! This will provide better global access to printed materials in accessible formats to those who are blind and visually impaired. #MarrakeshTreaty go.usa.gov/xERaC
ALT Marrakesh Treaty
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Copyright protection extended to motion pictures Aug. 24, 1912. Previously, copyright owners registered them as photographs. “Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze,” registered in 1894, is the oldest surviving motion picture deposited as still photos. go.usa.gov/xUusk
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Copyright holders have six exclusive rights. Watch our video, “Copyright Holder’s Exclusive Rights,” to learn about your rights, why they are important, and what you can do if someone uses your work without your permission: piped.video/watch?v=Im80FZKT…
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Martin Luther King, Jr. registered the text of his “I Have A Dream” speech with the Copyright Office on December 2, 1963. Coretta Scott King renewed the registration in 1991. #MartinLutherKingJrDay
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A treasure trove of creative works from 1925 entered the public domain this year. Read some of our highlights in our latest Copyright: Creativity at Work blog post. go.usa.gov/xAMgX
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Copyright Office issues notice proposing creating a group registration option for compositions, recordings, and other copyrightable works distributed as albums of music (GRAM). Comments are due July 19, 2019. go.usa.gov/xmvEj
ALT Group Registration of an Album of Music
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In celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth, check out the @librarycongress's collection of free to use and reuse photos of African American Women Changemakers. What derivative work will you make? go.usa.gov/xs7cV
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Happy Birthday to Berry Gordy III, founder of Motown Records. We KNOW your playlist is going to be a great one tonight.
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The Copyright Office would like to thank the countless creators who, through their works, help us remember, understand, and teach others about the horrors of the Holocaust. #HolocaustRememberanceDay
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On January 1, copyright terms extended by the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act expire, and those works now enter the public domain in the United States. Read more in Copyright Lore: go.usa.gov/xErRY
ALT Titles of works entering public domain
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In 1973, Barbara Ringer became the first female Register of Copyrights, but she had to sue to get the job because she was initially passed up in favor of a less-qualified man. Read more about her inspiring life and legacy: go.usa.gov/xzU7h #WomensHistoryMonth
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The U.S. House today unanimously passed two bills amending the Copyright Act: the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act and the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. The bills now await the president’s signature.
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The Copyright Modernization Office is here! The office recently opened its doors and is ready to support the needs of the national copyright system. Read latest blog post: go.usa.gov/xQYmq
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The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Music Modernization Act, a bill to update the music licensing system, on a 415-0 vote.
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Save the Date! Morning of Thur. April 26. Copyright Office will host a Copyright Matters event celebrating World Intellectual Property Day. This year’s theme is Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity. #worldipday go.usa.gov/xQc33
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Earlier this year, the Copyright Office hosted Copyright in the Age of AI, co-sponsored by @WIPO. The event recordings are available on our website and YouTube channel: go.usa.gov/xvdPy. A transcript is also available on our website. #CopyrightAI
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Thank you to all who took part in the Copyright in the Age of AI symposium. As a reminder, if you were not able to attend, we will post video and a transcript on the event website when they are available. go.usa.gov/xdBTz #CopyrightAI @WIPO
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Happy birthday, James Madison, who proposed Constitution provision “to secure to literary authors their copyrights for a limited time.”
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#StarWarsDay: Since the original Star Wars motion picture was registered with the Office in 1977, more than 3,600 additional registrations and documents have been filed for Star Wars works of creativity. Read more about them in Copyright Lore. copyright.gov/history/lore/2…
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Just because something is on the internet doesn't mean it's free to use. Learn more about copyright on the internet with our Learning Engine video: piped.video/watch?v=F_8hKfVg…
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Copyright Office launches online Virtual Card Catalog proof of concept, a sample of digitized cards from the U.S. Copyright Card Catalog collection. go.usa.gov/xnfPG
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Today, Congress introduced the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 ("CASE Act”), proposing to address small copyright enforcement issues. For background on copyright small claims, see the Office’s Copyright Small Claims report go.usa.gov/xm5WS
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Original home of the U.S. Copyright Office opened this day in 1897.
Today in History: the Library of Congress building (now our Thomas Jefferson Building) opens, 1897 #otd #tih loc.gov/item/today-in-histor…
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#OTDIH in 1912 copyright protection is extended to motion pictures. Republic Film Company registers "Black Sheep’s Wool.” Previously, copyright owners had to register them as a series of still photographs. go.usa.gov/xyCbs
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Today is World Book and Copyright Day. Celebrate and relax by enjoying your favorite book. Share your favorite title with us! #WorldBookDay
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Happy #ConstitutionDay from the Copyright Office! Today we celebrate article 1, section 8, clause 8 of the Constitution with a new Copyright: Creativity at Work blog post about the intellectual property clause. Read it at go.usa.gov/xGRdA
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Juliette Gordon Low founded the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah on this day in 1912. The Girls Scouts of the USA have registered many works over the years, from the first Girl Scout movie to current books and songs.@GirlScouts
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The new edition of Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code is now available online. More here: go.usa.gov/xwfaS
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The Copyright Office mourns the passing of Tina Turner. She was “simply the best,” and her creative legacy will continue to empower and inspire artists and music lovers around the globe.
ALT A graphic arts inspired image of Tina Turner on a black background with the text "Tina Turner 1939-2023."
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Happy Birthday to the Library of Congress, home of the U.S. Copyright Office. @librarycongress go.usa.gov/xmKxq
ALT Library of Congress
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Today, May 8, the Marrakesh Treaty comes into force in the United States. To learn how the treaty provides better global access to printed materials in accessible formats to those who are blind and visually impaired, see our FAQ: go.usa.gov/xmUKM #MarrakeshTreaty
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Regan A. Smith named General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights at the U.S. Copyright Office. go.usa.gov/xQdAy
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Today is the day! Join us online for The Enduring Copyright Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET. Registration is closed, but we will livestream the event on our YouTube channel: piped.video/watch?v=eRRItBv8…
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Copyright Office honors the life of Stan Lee, prolific creator of so many superhero comic books, movies, and books.
ALT Stan Lee
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The Copyright Office mourns the passing of actor, playwright, and copyright holder Chadwick Boseman. Along with his acting, Boseman wrote the plays Deep Azure and Hieroglyphic Graffiti.
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Do you blog or tweet? Don’t forget to sign up for our webinar tomorrow, July 15, on the Copyright Office’s new process for registering a group of short online literary works. Register here: go.usa.gov/xwSVN
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One of the most famous sculptural works of art ever registered for copyright is the Statue of Liberty. Happy Independence Day! #4thofJuly
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Today is National Crossword Puzzle Day. What’s a 15-letter word that uses every vowel? UNCOPYRIGHTABLE
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Celebrate Star Wars Under the Stars at the Library of Congress. The original registered work led to more than 3,600 copyright registrations. go.usa.gov/xPW8F @Events_LOC @libraryofcongress go.usa.gov/xPW8e
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On March 17, 1884, this photograph of Irish author Oscar Wilde by Napoleon Sarony was the subject of the Supreme Court ruling in “Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony,” which upheld the copyrightability of photographs. go.usa.gov/xE6SC
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@CopyrightOffice launches new blog featuring news, updates, lore, and fun facts. Copyright: Creativity at Work. go.usa.gov/xXCBv
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.@CopyrightOffice released a new report today, April 23: "Authors, Attribution, and Integrity: Examining Moral Rights in the United States," which details the Office's extensive review of the U.S. framework for moral rights. go.usa.gov/xmBZQ
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Happy Birthday to Library of Congress founder Thomas Jefferson. @LibraryCongress #ThomasJefferson
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We don't typically associate Lincoln with copyright. Yet he signed legislation Mar. 3, 1865, to extend copyright protection to photographs. It also required a printed copy of each copyrighted work be deposited in the Library of Congress. go.usa.gov/xPvX4 #SerendipityRun
ALT Abraham Lincoln
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#OTDIH 1790, the first federal copyright law is enacted. Modeled off Britain’s Statute of Anne, the new law is limited to books, maps, and charts, and lasted for fourteen years with a renewal period of another fourteen years. #Copyright150
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On this day: December 12, 1980, copyright law was amended to confirm the copyrightability of computer programs.
ALT Computer code on screen
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Happy birthday to Matt Mahaffey, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist of the band sElf. sElf’s 2000 album “Gizmodgery” was created with sounds sourced from toys—toy guitars, pianos, and drums along with other, traditional toys like a Speak & Spell and See ‘n Say.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CASE Act, a bill relating to small copyright claims. We reported on small claims issues in our 2013 study. go.usa.gov/xpcjG
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Today, the Copyright Office released a publication produced by a group of economic scholars discussing the many complex issues at the intersection of AI and copyright policy. Read more: copyright.gov/newsnet/2025/1…
ALT The Copyright Office seal appears on the left of a white background. Below it is the title, Identifying Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Copyright Policy, Content and Direction for Economic Research. On the right is a blue publication cover with the same title.
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There are two important things to remember about copyright: 1- copyright protects creative works, and 2- there’s no dumb copyright question. Visit us at #SXSW23 booth 923 to chat with our experts about how to protect your work.
ALT USCO booth at SXSW
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Today, the Copyright Office announced that the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) will begin accepting claims on Thursday, June 16, 2022. go.usa.gov/xJjFw #CASEAct
ALT Text reads: Copyright Claims Board Accepting Claims Beginning June 16, 2022 CCB.gov #CASEAct; in background, you can see three office chairs in a window-lit room; there is a light blue filter over the image
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Maria Strong appointed director of policy and international affairs at the U.S. Copyright Office. go.usa.gov/xmK2M
ALT Maria Strong
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Today, Feb 5, 2020, the @CopyrightOffice and @wipo present Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. We’ll be hosting panels all day about the connections between AI and copyright. You can join in the conversation here on Twitter by tagging your posts with #CopyrightAI
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The Copyright Office is closed today as we honor our country’s veterans. A service flag hangs in our reading room, honoring each Copyright Office employee who served in World War II, including Alexander Chavez, who was killed in action. go.usa.gov/xPv9H #VeteransDay
ALT 5 stars of the Copyright Office service flag
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