Is copyright law the same for words, pictures, movies, music and software?
Yes, for the most part. Sure, it’s easy to download and reproduce materials that you might find on the Web, but that doesn’t make it lawful. Technically speaking, copyright law does deal differently with various media like music and software. But these differences tend to be largely technical and are outweighed by the similarities in the law’s application. • Is it hard to get a copyright? No, it’s easy. Under U.S. law, anything original and creative – yes, even your diary, memos, personal correspondence – is protected by copyright. This protection is automatic, from the moment you create something, whether on paper or electronically. So, why bother to register your copyright with the federal government? Well, for one thing, it makes you eligible to receive “statutory damages” which could reach as high as $100,000 per infringement. • Do I need a copyright notice to protect my work (writings, art, music, etc.)? Not at all. Copyright notices stopped being mandatory in this country in 1989
