Most current study aid materials are located on the shelves next to the Law Library's computer lab.
Copyright Law serves to protect certain works from unauthorized copying. Primarily regulated by federal law, copyright is largely governed by the Copyright Act of 1976. Because of the preemption provision of the 1976 Act, state copyright laws typically extend to governing additional rights not covered by the federal law.
To begin your research, it is recommended that you select a secondary source to familiarize yourself with the broad concepts and goals of Copyright Law. A secondary source or current awareness service can also point you toward an emerging or "hot topic" in the fields of copyright or intellectual property that you can use as a topic for your paper.
Extremely concise overview of general principles and intent of American copyright law.
Copyright Basics (PDF)
Created by the U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright Crash Course
The basics of who owns copyright, what these rights entail and the general principles of building on someone else's work. Created by the University of Texas Libraries.
Digital Copyright Slider
Determine whether a work is covered by copyright and whether permission is needed to copy. Created by the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy