A Brief History of Copyright in the United States
In 1790, the Constitution enshrined in American law the principle that an author of a work may reap the fruits of his or her intellectual creativity for a limited amount of time. Copyright protects through law original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, cartographic, choreographic, pantomimic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual creations. Today, copyright provides to an author the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute his or her work. The also provides, in the case of certain works, a right to publicly perform or display the work; in the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission. The author may also grant to others a license to engage in these activities. The author, however, may not bar anyone from using an idea, procedure, process, slogan, principle, or discovery.
Copyright law in the United States has changed often since the Constitution granted Congress the power to provide protection to authors’ creative works. Click on the dates below to learn more about major moments in copyright.
18th Century
Highlight: Congress Passes the First Copyright Act
19th Century
Highlight: The Supreme Court Decides the First Copyright Case
1900 - 1950
Highlight: Congress Passes the First Comprehensive Copyright Law of the 20th Century
1950 - 2000
Highlight: Congress Passes the Current Copyright Act
2000 - Present
Highlight: The Engine of Free Expression