Work in Which a Copyright can Subsist Under U.S. Law is Defined As:
"An original work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. (17 USC 101) This basic definition shows that copyrightable works can be based on any actual expression, but not the ideas behind the expression of them. It is a Right, not a copywrite, and there is no "copywritten", if you will, so please don't make the mistake of spelling ir thinking of it as "copywritten" or "copy write." Some copyrights have their own definitions, for example, "an “architectural work” is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features." Now that we have a basic definition and have eliminated alternative homophonic spellings, let's dig a little deeper, shall we...
"An original work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. (17 USC 101) This basic definition shows that copyrightable works can be based on any actual expression, but not the ideas behind the expression of them. It is a Right, not a copywrite, and there is no "copywritten", if you will, so please don't make the mistake of spelling ir thinking of it as "copywritten" or "copy write." Some copyrights have their own definitions, for example, "an “architectural work” is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features." Now that we have a basic definition and have eliminated alternative homophonic spellings, let's dig a little deeper, shall we...
"The Copyright subsists (begins) upon the creation of the work. However, it 'vests' for legal purposes in a work in the U.S. when it is registered in the US Copyright Office..."
Copyrightable works also include ('now known') current formats, as well as those formats developed after the copyright was issued ('later developed'). The ability to Copyright begins upon the creation of the work. However, It vests for legal purposes in a work in the U.S. when it is registered in the US Copyright Office, IF the expression is "fixed" in a tangible medium, such as film, CDs, DVS, Memory Chips, books, and the like. One does not mail the work to someone else and have them mail it back, that is nothing for copyrights.
Copyrightable works also include ('now known') current formats, as well as those formats developed after the copyright was issued ('later developed'). The ability to Copyright begins upon the creation of the work. However, It vests for legal purposes in a work in the U.S. when it is registered in the US Copyright Office, IF the expression is "fixed" in a tangible medium, such as film, CDs, DVS, Memory Chips, books, and the like. One does not mail the work to someone else and have them mail it back, that is nothing for copyrights.
"Copyright law has adapted to all of the new forms of expression and all new types of expression media will be recognized by the Copyright Act."
These media are the common types copyright history has had to deal with: sounds and music, visual arts, performances, text, and three-dimensional works, film and the like. It really began for example for music with the "Lead Sheet." Before that it was for Royalty (Kings and Queens) and so the payment for use of a copyrighted work is called royalties. Copyright law has adapted to all of the new forms of expression and all new types of expression media will be recognized by the Copyright Act. In the "old days" multimedia works, which are really a blend of many of the more familiar forms were recognized, and now of course web sites, Cloud-based media and media for mobile devices are all covered. These forms now known or later developed may form the basis of new laws to handle them and their registration. All forms of copyrightable material must be able to be PERCEIVED, EPRODUCED, OR OTHERWISE COMMUNICATED, EITHER DIRECTLY OR WITH THE AID OF A MACHINE OR DEVICE. Contracts must be made very clear in this growing complex area of the law.