A copyright protects the writings of an author against copying.
Literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works are included within the
protection of the copyright law, which in some instances also confers
performing and recording rights. The copyright protects the form of
expression rather than to the subject matter of the writing. A
description of a machine could be copyrighted as a writing, but this
would only prevent others from copying the description; it would not
prevent others from writing a description of their own or from making
and using the machine. Copyrights are registered in the Copyright Office
in the Library of Congress. Information concerning copyrights may be
obtained from the Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C. 20559. (Telephone 202–707–3000)