Copyright is the law. While digital technology has made some aspects of copyright more complex, knowing the basics can help you to use material legally and to protect your own creative works.
You create copyrighted works regularly. When you write something, record a song or video, or take a photograph you have created a work that is protected by copyright. It is important to know how to manage your rights as a creator.
Every day you work with copyrighted materials created by other people. Whenever you read a book, download a song, stream a video or play a video game, you are potentially dealing with copyrighted materials. It is important to understand what is and is not covered by copyright law.
Copyright Law
U.S. Copyright Law has its origin in the U.S. Constitution:
The Congress shall have the power … to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.
– U.S. Constitution Article 1, Section 8