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Copyright: Protect Your Copyright

Wright State Policy

Wright State University

Copyright Policy

Copyright Assistance

For assistance with copyright questions, Wright State students, staff, and faculty should contact:

Wright State University Office of General Counsel

Tangible Form

You obtain copyrights when your idea is expressed in a fixed, tangbile form.  Traditional examples of these forms include books and other printed materials, plays, movies and pictures, music, and dance.  Copyright attaches to any scholarly or creative work as soon as its expression is in fixed form (paper, computer file, film, tape, etc.).  You generally retain copyright ownership of the materials you create while you work at the University; articles, teaching tools, artwork, or software.  Read the Wright State University Policy and Procedures for Intellectual Property for more information.

Publication

When you publish a scholarly work (book or article) the publisher may ask you to sign a contract that assigns the copyrights of the work to the publisher.  Read these agreements carefully.  Some contracts state that you agree to relinquish your ability to use your own work, including classroom uses, or the creation of derivative works. Your Wright State College or Department may have guidelines for publication agreements.

Authorship

Copyright owners include: authors, composers, poets, dramatists, choreographers, and others.  Copyrights vary by the nature of the work of the copyright owner.

Copyright Registration

Copyright attaches to any scholarly or creative work as soon as it is expressed in a fixed form (paper, computer file, film, tape, etc.).   Registration of your copyright strengthens your position if you must pursue a case of copyright infringement.

How to register a copyright ...

~ by the United States Copyright Office

Disclaimer

The Copyright Information Guide is provided by the University Libraries as an educational service to the University community.  The information contained in this guide is not legal advice.  Individuals and organizations should consult the Wright State University Office of the General Counsel or their own attorney.