COPYRIGHT AND INFRINGEMENT LAWS Copyright.gov.
Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17)
and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code
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This publication contains the text of Title 17 of the United States Code, including all amendments enacted by Congress through October 17, 2022. It includes the Copyright Act of 1976 and all subsequent amendments to copyright law; the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984, as amended; and the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act, as amended. The Copyright Office is responsible for registering intellectual property claims under all three.
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The United States copyright law is contained in chapters 1 through 8 and 10 through 12 of Title 17 of the United States Code. The Copyright Act of 1976, which provides the basic framework for the current copyright law, was enacted on October 19, 1976, as Pub. L. No. 94-553, 90 Stat. 2541. The 1976 Act was a comprehensive revision of the copyright law in Title 17. Listed below in chronological order of their enactment are the Copyright Act of 1976 and subsequent amendments to Title 17.
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This edition adds one piece of copyright legislation enacted since the last printed edition of the circular in May 2021: the Artistic Recognition for Talented Students Act, signed into law in October 2022.
U.S. Copyright Law, October 2022 [size 6 MB]
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Preface: Amendments to Title 17 since 1976
Chapters
Title 17 of the United States Code
Chapter 1:
Subject Matter and Scope of Copyright
Chapter 2:
Copyright Ownership and Transfer
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Copyright Notice, Deposit, and Registration
Chapter 5:
Copyright Infringement and Remedies
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7:
Chapter 8:
Proceedings by Copyright Royalty Judges
Chapter 9:
Protection of Semiconductor Chip Products
Chapter 10:
Digital Audio Recording Devices and Media
Chapter 11:
Sound Recordings and Music Videos
Chapter 12:
Copyright Protection and Management Systems
Chapter 13:
Protection of Original Designs
Chapter 14:
Unauthorized Use of Pre-1972 Sound Recordings
Chapter 15:
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Appendices
Transitional and Related Statutory Provisions
Appendix A:
Appendix B:
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998
Appendix C:
The Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004
Appendix D:
The Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004
Appendix E:
The Intellectual Property Protection and Courts Amendments Act of 2004
Appendix F:
The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008
Appendix G:
The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010
Appendix H:
The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Appendix I:
The STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014
Appendix J:
Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act
Appendix K:
Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act
Appendix L:
Appendix M:
Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020
Related United States Code Provisions
Appendix N:
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure, U.S. Code
Appendix O:
Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, U.S. Code
Appendix P:
Title 44 — Public Printing and Documents, U.S. Code
Related International Provisions
Appendix Q:
The Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988
Appendix R:
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994
Appendix S:
GATT/Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement, Part II
Appendix T:
Definition of “Berne Convention Work”
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