
Copyright Basics
What is protected by copyright?
What is the difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism?
What are the penalties of copyright infringement?
How long does copyright last? Can it be extended?
What is the copyright for works in other countries?
Using Works from Others
If it's online, can I use it?
Do I need permission to copy works I already own a personal copy?
Is it ok to use an image found online?
If I am using a work for education, do I need permission?
Is it fair use if I’m only using a small portion of the work?
How do I know if something is copyrighted or not?
How do I know who owns the copyright?
How do I obtain permission to use a work?
My Copyright
Do I need to register a work for it to be copyrighted?
A work is automatically considered to be copyrighted once it is expressed in a tangible medium. Registration is a voluntary action. However, there are benefits to registering a work, such as proof of ownership.
How do I register my copyright?
There are forms with the U.S. Copyright Office that can be filled out online or in person to register your copyright.
What do I do if I find someone is using my copyrighted work without permission?
When your personal work is being infringed on, you may file a civil law suit at a local district court. You may also contact BYU-I's Intellectual Property Rights Specialist for help concerning this.
What do I do if I receive an infringement notification?
Do not ignore a copyright infringement notice. It can only make the problem worse. The best course of action will be to seek legal counsel of some sort. You may contact the BYU-I Intellectual Property Rights Specialist about this and they will help you.