FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Did you make a poem, short story, or other creative work? Did you work hard on an assignment or project and want to do more with it? If so, you probably have the copyright for these works, which means they belong to you and that you can do certain things with them!
What is copyright? Writers, scholars, artists, and other creators have certain rights on what they make because of copyright. Copyright allows a creator to distribute, copy, sell, display, and make derivatives of their work. It also keeps others from doing these things if they don’t have permission or cannot use a copyright exception. United States Code Title 17 describes current copyright laws and terms.
Does my work or creation have a copyright? Yes! Your work has it once it’s in a tangible form or when it can be seen, heard, or touched. Registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office is not required but is recommended if you want to make money off your work or to document it for legal reasons.
You said ‘most’ of my work. What doesn’t get copyright protection or may not belong to me? Ideas by themselves, processes, and discoveries cannot get copyright protection. If you are working with an FAU or other researcher, the work you do for their project might belong to them 
and not you. Also, if someone hired you to make something like a painting or design, it may be considered a work made for hire and whoever hired you might own the copyright.
I’m only a student, so does copyright matter? Yes, it does! Your creations and work initially belong to you, even when you’re no longer a student! If you want to build upon them or make money from them, you can. Being informed on copyright and other basics on intellectual property (IP) can help you protect and benefit from your work, and can help you respect the creations of others!
More Information:
- Copyright Basics, U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
- Copyright (SCS LibGuide): https://libguides.fau.edu/scs-copyright
Disclaimer: The FAU Libraries and its faculty, staff, and administration are not attorneys and cannot interpret the law. This information is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional legal advice. If needed, seek help from an attorney.
Image sources:
- Students at work by Annie Spratt, https://unsplash.com/photos/QckxruozjRg. Permission for limited commercial and non-commercial uses.
- Dope as Usual by Drastic Graphics, https://unsplash.com/photos/Jo-ypJVt8gQ. Permission for limited commercial and non-commercial uses.
