Copyright: Today is World Intellectual Property Day + Notable Dates in U.S. Copyright History

In a Note on the Copyright.gov Web Site, Maria A. Pallante, Acting Register of Copyrights, Writes:

Copyright markets are fundamentally important to the economy. The core copyright industries constitute 6.4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, contributing nearly $890 billion to the overall economy. These industries help stimulate overall economic growth, employ millions of workers, and are a growing sector of U.S. foreign sales and exports. Technology companies complement this growth, adding ever-newer products and platforms for dissemination of content and driving new business models at a rapid pace.

At the bottom of the note you’ll find a collection of Notable Dates in United States Copyright.

Here are two examples:

On May 31, 1790: first copyright law enacted under the new U.S. Constitution. Term of 14 years with privilege of renewal for term of 14 years. Books, maps, and charts protected. Copyright registration made in the U.S. District Court where the author or proprietor resided.

On July 30, 1947, copyright law codified into positive law as title 17 of the U.S. Code.

More info via the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) IP Day Web Page and Facebook Page

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