Copyright protection can be obtained for original works of authorship in tangible form, such as: literary works, including books, periodicals, collections, such as cookbooks, catalogs and directories, textual advertising such as brochures and pamphlets, poems, tabular lists, lectures, sermons, manuals, computer programs and databases; musical works; dramatic works; pantomimes and choreographic works; pictorial, graphic and sculptural works, including maps, jewelry, decorations, furniture, games, statues, architectural plans, blueprints, photographs, prints and pictorial illustrations such as labels and advertising, and dress and fabric designs; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; and sound recordings. Copyright protection cannot be obtained for mere ideas, procedures, processes, systems, methods of operation, concepts, principles or discoveries.

The copyright is owned by the author who produced the work, unless the work is a "work made for hire". A work made for hire is one that is performed by an employee, and usually not a contractor, within the scope of her or his employment or that was specifically ordered or commissioned.

Copyright protection exists for the lifetime of the author and for fifty (50) years thereafter, or, in the case of a work made for hire, the lesser of seventy-five (75) years from the year of the first publication of the work or one hundred (100) years from the year of creation of the work of authorship.

The copyright notice, ©, the date of first publication and the owner of the copyright should be noted on the registered work of authorship as that gives notice to the public that the work is protected by copyright. Often, the notation, "All Rights Reserved," is placed on the work of authorship.