How can I tell if a work is protected by copyright?

When it comes to determining if a work is protected by copyright in Oklahoma, there are several key points to consider. First, copyright protection applies to “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. This includes literary works, musical works, dramatic works, choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works. Copyright protection also applies to sound recordings. Second, copyright protection gives the owner of the work exclusive rights to use and reproduce the work, to prepare derivative works based on the work, to distribute the work to the public, to publicly perform the work, and to publicly display the work. Third, copyright protection is only granted for a limited time, so it is important to check the date of the work before assuming it is protected. Generally speaking, copyright protection is available for works created after January 1, 1978. Fourth, copyright protection does not extend to ideas, facts, or processes. Ideas can be protected under patent law but copyright protection is only given to the expression of those ideas. Finally, if a work is published with a copyright notice, this is strong evidence that the work is protected by copyright law. However, it is always best to consult an attorney regarding any legal questions, including those related to copyright protection.

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