APLegal Help
Titles, names, short phrases and slogans
This is one of the most common areas of confusion for people seeking protection of their intellectual property — please be sure you are not trying to copyright a name, title, short phrase or slogan. These are not copyrightable. These items can be protected by trademark when used to designate a particular business’s goods or services.
Ideas and concepts that have not resulted in a tangible work
For example, the mere idea for the plot of a book is not copyrightable. However, the actual book that results from that idea is copyrightable.
Blank forms
A blank form designed to record information is not copyrightable.
Works that have not been written down or recorded
For example, an improvised speech with no audio or video memorializing it is not copyrightable.
Works to which you have not contributed anything original or creative
For example, facts, well-known phrases, familiar symbols, fonts or a list of names/ingredients, without more, are not copyrightable. However, if these items are organized in an original manner, then a copyright could protect the way it was organized (although not the facts, names, etc. contained — only the organization would be protected).
Useful Articles
Useful articles is defined as objects that has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not merely to portray the appearance of the article or to convey information. Examples are clothing; automobile bodies; furniture; machinery, including household appliances; dinnerware; and lighting fixtures. These are not copyrightable.