Understanding Copyright

A collection of tools that can help you determine if copyright has expired on a work, or if fair use or other exemption may apply to your use.

Information on intellectual property and copyright issues, as well as best practice statements for fair use.

Created by CCC to help students, instructors, faculty, and staff of U.S.-based colleges and universities by offering background information about U.S. copyright law.

Although formal advising is limited to members of Columbia University, there is an abundance of information on copyright available for the general public.

CCC provides extensive information on copyright, requesting permission, and obtaining licenses for copyrighted works.

Creative Commons provides answers to many questions related to the application and use of CC licenses and CC licensed works.

Copyright in a digital world is one of the EFF’s major areas of concern. Their Creativity and Innovation site contains information on many copyright concepts, digital copyright laws like DMCA, and many related topics that you may run into when using, reusing, and sharing your own copyrighted work.

A primer from SPARC on author's rights and copyright concepts to consider when publishing your scholarly works. It includes information on publisher copyright policies, author addenda, and negotiating rights when publishing.

This site provides basic information as well as recent events and commentary related to developments in copyright and fair use cases.

Circulars are written for a general audience, but provide more in-depth authoritative information on many topics related to copyright concepts, registration, and information on different types of works.

The World Intellectual Property Organization specializes in international IP concerns, and provides information on copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial design, and more.