Website of the Week

U.S. Copyright is complicated! 

While there are a fair amount of resources for learning about copyright, sometimes it is best to go straight to the source. Part of the Library of Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office’s mission is, “To administer the Nation’s copyright laws for the advancement of the public good; to offer services and support to authors and users of creative works; and to provide expert impartial assistance to Congress, the courts, and the executive branch agencies on questions of copyright law and policy.”

While this website does not provide legal advice, it does provide useful information for understanding copyright. (Of course, if you need legal advice, it is best to consult a lawyer!) On their website, you can find links to copyright law, how to register for a copyright, and reports on modernizing copyright law. It also has a thorough Frequently Asked Questions page, where the questions range from “What is copyright?” to “Can I register a diary I found in my grandmother's attic?” You can also find a link to Taking the Mystery out of Copyright, which is designed for K-12 students but is a helpful resource for all ages.

Review by Monika Chavez, SWC Librarian