Databases & Websites by Subject

Click On Copyright

Chilling Effects Clearinghouse
This explains the protections that intellectual property laws give to your online activities.

Copyright and Fair Use
Excellent comprehensive site covering all aspects of copyright law, and fair use.

Copyright Clearance Center
“Get permission to use millions of works in print and digital formats.”

University of California Copyright Education Website

Creative Commons
On this site, creators retain their copyright but license them for free use for some purposes.

Music Publishers Association
A short, clear guide showing how to locate copyrighted music, obtain permission to perform or arrange it or to reprint the lyrics.

Myths about Copyright
Focuses particularly on Internet use.

U.S. Copyright Office
This official government site explains copyright law, allows you to search copyright records and provides forms for you to register to obtain a copyright for your work.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Register at this site to protect your rights to an invention. You may also find information on patent laws and regulations and search their database of registered patents and trademarks.

When U.S. Works Pass into the Public Domain

Prepared by Marty Krause, August 2010