Title 17 - Copyrights

Overview

Title 17 of the United States Code contains the Copyright Act, which governs copyright protection in the United States. This comprehensive law covers original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression.

Key Provisions

§ 101 - Definitions

A "work of authorship" includes literary works, musical works, dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works, sound recordings, and architectural works. Read the complete definitions

§ 106 - Exclusive rights in copyrighted works

The owner of copyright has the exclusive rights to:

• Reproduce the copyrighted work
• Prepare derivative works
• Distribute copies to the public
• Perform the work publicly
• Display the work publicly
• Perform sound recordings publicly by digital audio transmission

§ 501 - Infringement of copyright

Anyone who violates any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner is an infringer of the copyright or right of the author.

§ 504 - Remedies for infringement: Damages and profits

An infringer is liable for either actual damages and profits or statutory damages, which can range from $750 to $30,000 per work, or up to $150,000 for willful infringement.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

The DMCA, codified in Title 17, provides safe harbors for online service providers and establishes notice-and-takedown procedures. Learn more about DMCA procedures

USIPE Implementation

USIPE operates under Title 17 framework to:

• Identify copyright infringements across digital platforms
• Generate DMCA-compliant takedown notices
• Track enforcement actions and responses
• Compile evidence packages for legal proceedings