Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Someone removed the Copyright Notice from my photograph. What can I do? Is this copyright infringement?

Q. What is Copyright?

Q. What does copyright do for artists?

Q. Who owns the copyright?

Q. Can two or more people own the copyright to a single work?

Q. How do I get permission to use a copyrighted work?

Q. What if a copyrighted work is used without permission?

Q. What works are protected by copyright? 

Q. If I have an idea for a work such as a photograph, is my idea protected by copyright? 

Q. What about names, titles, short phrases and expressions. Can they be copyrighted? 

Q. How do I copyright my works? 

Q. Do I have to file anything in Washington, D.C., in order to get a copyright? 

Q. What is registration? 

Q. How do I register a copyright? 

Q. Should I register the copyrights to all of my works in Washington? 

Q. Has the Copyright Act kept pace with the computer age and changing technology?

Q. What if I have an idea and I hire a photographer to execute my idea, pay for his or her expenses including models, film, processing, assistants and special equipment, does the copyright belong to me?   

Q. If I buy a photograph or painting from a photographer or an artist for display purposes, can I use the image for any other purpose? 

Q. What is a copyright notation? 

Q. Do I have to use a copyright notation on all copies of my work?

Q. If a work does not have the word "copyright" on it, can I assume that the work is in the public domain and can be used? 

Q. What is copyright infringement?

Q. If I change a few things in a copyrighted work by adding or taking something away, am I guilty of copyright infringement? 

Q. If someone infringes my work, do I have to catch the infringer in the act? 

Q. What are the damages for an infringement? 

Q. Are there any times that I can use a copyrighted work without risking infringement? 

Q. I make collages. Are there any problems that I might encounter?