Default Rule:
When you create an original work (like a lecture, article, video, photo, presentation), you automatically own the copyright.
Copyright arises immediately upon creation — you do not need to register it or include a copyright symbol.
Exceptions to Watch For:
Collaborative Works: If multiple people contribute, co-authors may share rights.
Sponsored Research or Grants: Funding agencies or institutions may have specific ownership policies.
As the creator, you have the exclusive right to:
Reproduce (copy) your work.
Distribute copies.
Display or perform your work publicly.
Create adaptations or derivative works (translations, films, new editions).
You can:
Keep all rights.
License some rights to others (e.g., let your colleagues use your course materials).
Transfer ownership if you choose (with a written agreement).
How to indicate ownership:
Add a simple copyright notice:
© [Year] [Your Name]
Example: © 2025 Maria Santos
Optional Registration:
You can register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Registration is not required, but it gives you stronger legal protection (especially if you need to enforce your rights in court).
Watermarking or Licensing:
You can add watermarks, usage statements, or Creative Commons licenses to share work under specific conditions.
Open Licensing:
You can voluntarily make your work more shareable by applying a license.
Common choices:
Creative Commons (CC) licenses (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-NC)
Institutional repositories often request a CC license when you deposit work.
Things to Consider Before Sharing:
What permissions are you granting?
Can others adapt your work?
Can others use it commercially?
Helpful Tip:
Use the Creative Commons License Chooser to create a license for your work easily.