Learning Engine Video Series

The Learning Engine series of videos introduces copyright concepts and the Copyright Office to those who may be new to the topic or who want to learn more. More videos will be added in the future here and to our YouTube channel. Subscribe to the channel to be notified when new videos are available.

Copyright Office YouTube channel

What Is Copyright?

Learn about what copyright involves, including what types of works are subject to copyright protection.


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Copyright on the Internet

Learn what to do when you find information on the Internet you would like to use.


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Hey, That’s My Idea!

Copyright generally doesn’t cover ideas. Learn how this applies through examples of instances when ideas are not protected under the law.


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Fair Use

In this video, find out what “fair use” is and how it applies when you are looking to use a copyright-protected


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Copyright Registration

While registration is not a requirement for copyright protection, it does provide several important benefits. Discover those benefits and learn what happens when your registration application reaches the Copyright Office.


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What Is the Public Domain?

The public domain covers works not protected by copyright. Learn which works are in the public domain and how works become a part of it.


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Copyright Records

The U.S. Copyright Office maintains the largest index of copyright ownership in the world. In this video, see how the format and index method changed over the centuries and what you can find in our records!


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Searching the Public Records

Are you looking for something in our collection of public records? This video provides tips on finding the records you want among the millions of records in our card catalog, Catalog of Copyright Entries, copyright record books, and recorded documents.


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Debunking Common Copyright Myths

There are lot of misconceptions about copyright. We debunk five of the most common ones here.


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Recordation

Along with registration, the U.S. Copyright Office handles recordation. Find out more about the documents the Office records that are related to copyright ownership , including transfer of copyright ownership and other documents pertaining to copyright.


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What Can We Do For You

The U.S. Copyright Office provides many services to the public. In this video, discover what these services are. For more detailed information about specific services, please watch our videos on Registration, Recordation, and Copyright Records.


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Notice and Takedown

While online, you may have come across work that infringes on someone's rights under copyright law or seen material removed by a service provider. This video explains copyright law's notice-and-takedown system so you can understand your options if someone infringes your copyright-protected material or you receive a takedown notice.


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Termination

If copyright owners transfer their exclusive rights to another party, like a publishing firm, they may be able to eventually reclaim those rights under a procedure known as termination. In this next installment of the Learning Engine series, learn about the necessary steps and important timing requirements for authors to complete the termination process.


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Copyright and Educational Uses

Are you an educator or student that wonders what materials you can use for your lessons or classwork? In this video on copyright and educational uses, we explain the exceptions and limitations under copyright law for using other people’s works for educational purposes. You will also learn the difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism.


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Duration

Copyright protection does not last forever. The framers of the U.S. Constitution ensured copyright protection would only last for a limited time so that works could inspire the creation of new works. Terms and requirements have changed several times since the first U.S. copyright law in 1790. This video explains the evolution of copyright duration over the years and what it is today.


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Works Made for Hire

Under copyright, the author is generally the person or persons who created the work they intend to register. Works made for hire are an exception to this rule. Learn more about what constitutes works made for hire, what it means to be a creator of a work made for hire, and why it matters in this installment of the Learning Engine video series.


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The Copyright Claims Board

The Copyright Claims Board (CCB) is a copyright-specific tribunal established by Congress under the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2020 that hears copyright infringement cases for claims up to $30,000. In this Learning Engine video, learn more about the CCB’s structure, how the CCB works, and the safeguards against abusive practices.


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Copyright Holder’s Exclusive Rights

As a copyright holder, you have six exclusive rights that help you control how your copyright-protected work is used. What are those rights? We detail those rights, why they are important, and what you can do if someone uses your work in a way that involves your exclusive rights.


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Copyright for Writers

Are you a writer or do you know one? Copyright protects most types of written works, also known as literary works. This video discusses what literary works copyright protects, what it means to be a copyright holder, and how you can register your literary works with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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Copyright for Visual Artists

Copyright protects the visual arts. This includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, aspects of board games, and jewelry, just to name a few. In this Learning Engine installment, we discuss what visual works copyright protects, what it means to be a copyright holder, and how you can register your visual works with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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Copyright in Collaboration

When you collaborate with others on a creative work, you might be creating a joint work. We break down the U.S. copyright law’s definition of a joint work in this Learning Engine video. We also discuss what it means to be a joint author and how you can register your joint work with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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What Musicians Need to Know about Copyright

Whether you are a songwriter, a performer, or both, it’s good to know a few key facts about copyright law. In this video, we explain what copyright protects, what it means to be a copyright holder, and how you can register your sound recordings and musical works with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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History of Copyright

Copyright law in the United States is as old as the country itself. Congress passed the first federal copyright law in 1790, which protected just maps, charts, and books. Since then, copyright has expanded to protect a wide range of creative works and provide exclusive rights, exceptions, and limitations that benefit both owners and users of copyright-protected works. This video highlights the evolution of U.S. copyright law and the establishment of the U.S. Copyright Office.


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