Copyright Office

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The Copyright Office serves as the main administrator of copyrights in the United States; organized as a department of the Library of Congress. Individuals who create a work eligible for a copyright can automatically be legally protected from infringement, but to bring a legal action for infringement, the person must register the work with the Copyright Office. Individuals also have to send two copies of their work to the Copyright Office for many types of works or face a fine. The Copyright Office manages the copyright catalog that documents all the major details for every registered copyrighted work, allowing individuals, businesses, and the government to search for existing copyrights. 

Besides administering the registration of copyrighted works, the Copyright Office also plays a fundamental role in the policymaking process for copyrights. Congress allocates authority to the Copyright Office for creating regulations for much of U.S. copyright law. Also, the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government look to the Copyright Office for guidance when dealing with copyright issues or changing the current copyright law

[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]