Account
Get our app
Account Sign up Sign in

Ask a Lawyer

Get legal advice from Rocket Lawyer network attorneys. We make it affordable and simple.

Ask a Lawyer

Get started

Not all creative works are eligible for federal copyright protection. Unprotected categories include:  

  • intangible expressions of work (ex: choreographed works that haven't been recorded or noted, improvised performances that haven't been recorded or written)
  • titles, names, short phrases, and slogans (note that names and slogans of companies may be trademarked) 
  • familiar symbols or designs, or variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering or coloring 
  • lists of ingredients or contents (ex: pure recipes or nutritional contents) 
  • pure ideas (ex: you cannot copyright the concept of "spoon") 
  • procedures, methods, systems or processes (ex: you cannot copyright your company's podcast production method)
  • concepts, principles or discoveries (note that while you can copyright the description, explanation or illustration of those concepts, you can't copyright the principles themselves, since they are abstract ideas)
  • genetic code (note that if you create a gene, you can file for a patent) 
  • common property or unoriginal authorship (ex: calendars, rulers, metric charts such as for height and weight)

In addition, there are some cases where even if the work is a tangible instance of original authorship, you cannot claim the copyright. For example, if you are an employee hired to create works for an employer, the employer owns the copyright, not you.

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.


Ask a lawyer

Our network attorneys are here for you.
Characters remaining: 600
Rocket Lawyer Network Attorneys

Try Rocket Lawyer FREE for 7 days

Start your membership now to get legal services you can trust at prices you can afford. You'll get:

All the legal documents you need—customize, share, print & more

Unlimited electronic signatures with RocketSign®

Ask a lawyer questions or have them review your document

Dispute protection on all your contracts with Document Defense®

30-minute phone call with a lawyer about any new issue

Discounts on business and attorney services