Copyright status of works by the federal government of the United States: Difference between revisions

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{{USC|15|290e}} authorizes [[United States Secretary of Commerce|U.S. Secretary of Commerce]] to secure copyright for works produced by the [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]] under the Standard Reference Data Act.<ref>{{USC|15|290e}}</ref><ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(a)]</ref>
{{USC|15|290e}} authorizes [[United States Secretary of Commerce|U.S. Secretary of Commerce]] to secure copyright for works produced by the [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]] under the Standard Reference Data Act.<ref>{{USC|15|290e}}</ref><ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(a)]</ref>


===State and local governments in Florida and California===
===State and local governments===
:{{main|Copyright status of work by U.S. state governments}}
The non-copyright rule also does not apply to state or municipal governments, [[District of Columbia]],<ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(c)]</ref> [[Puerto Rico]],<ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(d)]</ref> or "organized territories" under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Government.<ref name="206.02e"/> This does not however prevent individual states from implementing similar provisions - as in the state of [[Florida]], where provisions in the [[Florida Constitution|state constitution]] require most works produced by the Government of Florida and any county, district, authority, or municipal officer, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other separate unit of government created or established by law be [[Copyright status of work by the Florida government|considered to be in the public domain]].<ref name="fl-constitution_art24">[http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Mode=Constitution&Submenu=3&Tab=statutes&CFID=3347894&CFTOKEN=65855692#A01S24 Florida Constitution Article I, §24(a)]</ref> The situation in California is not as clear, but a California Appeals Court (with statewide jurisdiction) in [[County of Santa Clara v. California First Amendment Coalition]] has ruled in general the government may not claim copyright on public records.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} Many other state and local governments copyright their works.<ref>http://www.cendi.gov/publications/04-8copyright.html#313</ref>
The non-copyright rule also does not apply to state or municipal governments, [[District of Columbia]],<ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(c)]</ref> [[Puerto Rico]],<ref>[[Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices]], § [http://ipmall.info/hosted_resources/CopyrightCompendium/chapter_0200.asp 206.02(d)]</ref> or "organized territories" under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Government.<ref name="206.02e"/>


===Edicts of government===
===Edicts of government===

Revision as of 02:47, 3 July 2011

A work of the United States government, as defined by United States copyright law, is "a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. government as part of that person's official duties."[1] The term only applies to the work of the federal government, including the governments of "non-organized territorial areas" under the jurisdiction of the U.S Government,[2] but not state or local governments. In general, under section 105 of the Copyright Act,[3] such works are not entitled to domestic copyright protection under U.S. law, sometimes referred to as "noncopyright."

The act only applies to U.S. domestic copyright as that is extent of U.S. federal law. The U.S. government asserts that it can still hold the copyright of those works in other countries.[4] However the language of the statute implies no geographical restriction on its denial of copyright protection to U.S. government works as it says, "Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government…."[5]

In addition, many publications of the U.S. government contain protectable works authored by others (e.g., patent applications, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, public comments on regulations, etc.), and this rule does not necessarily apply to the creative content of those works.

Exceptions

Works produced by contractors

Unlike works of the U.S. Government, works produced by contractors under government contracts (or submitted in anticipation of such contracts) are protected and restricted under U.S. copyright law. The holdership of the copyright depends on the terms of the contract and the type of work undertaken. Contract terms and conditions vary between agencies; contracts to NASA and the military may differ significantly from civilian agency contracts.[6]

Civilian agencies and NASA are guided by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). There are a number of FAR provisions that can affect the ownership of the copyright. FAR Subpart 27.4—Rights in Data and Copyright provides copyright guidance for the civilian agencies and NASA. Additionally, some agencies may have their own FAR Supplements that they follow.

Under the FAR general data rights clause (FAR 52.227-14), the government has unlimited rights in all data first produced in performance of or delivered under a contract, unless the contractor asserts a claim to copyright or the contract provides otherwise. Unless provided otherwise by an Agency FAR Supplement, a contractor may assert claim to copyright in scientific and technical articles based on or containing data first produced in the performance of a contract and published in academic, technical or professional journals, symposia proceedings, or the like. The express written permission of the Contracting Officer is required before the contractor may assert or enforce the copyright in all other works first produced in the performance of a contract. However, if a contract includes Alternate IV of the clause, the Contracting Officer's approval is not required to assert claim to copyright. Whenever the contractor asserts claim to copyright in works other than computer software, the Government, and others acting on its behalf, are granted a license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute, perform and display the copyrighted work. For computer software the scope of the Government's license does not include the right to distribute to the public, and for "commercial software", the Government typically obtains no better license than would any other customer.

Transfers

The federal government can hold copyrights that are transferred to it.[3] For example, in 1837, the federal government purchased former U.S. President James Madison's manuscripts from his widow, Dolley Madison, for $30,000;[7] if this is construed as covering copyright as well as the physical papers, it would be an example of such a transfer.[8]

Exemptions

Works by certain independent agencies, corporations and Federal subsidiaries may be exempt from US Government copyright status. For instance, material produced by the United States Postal Service[9] are typically subject to normal copyright. Most USPS materials, artwork and design and all postage stamps as of January 1, 1978 or after are subject to copyright laws. Works of the former United States Post Office Department are in the public domain (due to its former position as a cabinet department).

15 U.S.C. § 290e authorizes U.S. Secretary of Commerce to secure copyright for works produced by the Department of Commerce under the Standard Reference Data Act.[10][11]

State and local governments

Main article: Copyright status of work by U.S. state governments

The non-copyright rule also does not apply to state or municipal governments, District of Columbia,[12] Puerto Rico,[13] or "organized territories" under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Government.[2]

Edicts of government

The United States Copyright Office considers edicts of government, such as judicial opinions, administrative rulings, legislative enactments, public ordinances, and similar official legal documents, not copyrightable for reasons of public policy. This applies to such works whether they are Federal, State, or local as well as to those of foreign governments.[14]

Other restrictions

Certain works, particularly logos and emblems of government agencies, while not copyrightable, are still protected by other laws similar in effect to trademark laws. Such laws are intended to protect indicators of source or quality. For example, some uses of the Central Intelligence Agency logo, name, and initialism are regulated under the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. § 403m).

See also

References

  1. ^ 17 U.S.C. § 101
  2. ^ a b Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.02(e)
  3. ^ a b 17 U.S.C. § 105
  4. ^ "Does the Government have copyright protection in U.S. Government works in other countries?".
  5. ^ 17 U.S.C. § 105
  6. ^ CENDI Copyright Working Group (2004). "Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright". Commerce, Energy, NASA, Defense Information Managers Group. Oak Ridge, TN: CENDI Secretariat, Information International Associates, Inc. Retrieved July 22, 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ An Act making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of Government for the year eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, 24th Cong., Sess. II, Ch. 33, 5. Stat. 163, 171, March 3, 1837
  8. ^ The following year, Congress authorized publication of the papers, suggesting that the transaction did include copyright. An Act authorizing the printing of the Madison papers, 25th Cong., Sess. II, Ch. 264, 5. Stat. 309-310, July 9, 1838
  9. ^ Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.02(b)
  10. ^ 15 U.S.C. § 290e
  11. ^ Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.02(a)
  12. ^ Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.02(c)
  13. ^ Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.02(d)
  14. ^ Compendium II: Copyright Office Practices, § 206.01

External links

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