The United States Constitution provides for copyright in article
I, section 8, clause 8, which grants to Congress the power "To
promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts , by securing
for limited Times for Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right
to their respective writings and discoveries[.]" Since the
founding of the United States, then, copyright law has played an
important role in the authorship of books and other writings,
and since the late nineteenth century, audio recordings,
followed by video and now digital media. Beginning in the
1970's, Congress has amended copyright several times while
attempting to realize the implications of newer technologies.
Authors and users of potentially copyrighted works need to have
a basic familiarity with the features of copyright law, and as
importantly, need to be able to locate more detailed
information. The Library provides these resource links to help
you meet that need. If you find that you need additional
information, please consider contacting your per