APPENDIX A

A Comic Creator’s Guide to Copyright Law

WHAT IS A COPYRIGHT?

Copyright is actually a collection of legal rights, all of which protect “original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.”1 Copyright protects:

Literary works, such as scripts for comic, primarily text-driven comic books, movie screenplays, novels, magazine articles, poems

Pictorial and graphic works, like comic book art, covers, comic books

Sculptures

Motion pictures, television shows, and other audiovisual works

Musical works, including any accompanying words

Dramatic works, such as plays, including any accompanying music

Pantomimes and choreographic works

Sound recordings

Architectural works

Other works of original authorship ...

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