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Statute
Copyrights, 17 U.S.C. § 102, (Copyright Act of 1976), Subject matter of copyright: in general
Citation
17 U.S.C. § 102 (2007)
Summary
Copyright protection can only be used for original works. The statute lists several categories of works which fall under copyright protection, including pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works. The statute limits copyright protection to tangible media and excludes intangibles such as ideas, processes, and discoveries.
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