Copyright Protection Begins Automatically The moment you create original work in tangible form (written, designed, coded, drawn), you own the copyright. No registration or notice required for basic protection. What Copyright Protects Original expression of ideas (not ideas themselves), literary works, artistic works, software code, architectural designs, and derivative works. Copyright Registration Benefits Required to sue for infringement in U.S., access to statutory damages ($750-$30,000 per work, up to $150,000 for willful), and attorney fee recovery. Duration of Copyright Life of author plus 70 years. For work-for-hire, 95 years from publication or 120 from creation (whichever shorter).