What You Can't Copyright: A Quick Guide

Learn what cannot be copyrighted, including ideas, facts, and public domain works.

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You cannot copyright factual information, ideas, systems, methods of operation, names, titles, short phrases, slogans, and works that are in the public domain. Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What types of works are not eligible for copyright? Factual information, ideas, systems, methods of operation, names, titles, short phrases, slogans, and public domain works cannot be copyrighted.
  2. Can you copyright an idea? No, copyright protects the expression of ideas rather than the ideas themselves.
  3. What is considered public domain? Public domain works are those whose copyright has expired, been forfeited, or are not eligible for copyright. These can be freely used by anyone.
  4. Are names and titles protected under copyright? No, names and titles are generally not protected by copyright law, but they may be protected under trademark law.