What elements are needed to properly copyright a work?

In the United States, the copyright notice consists of three elements: The © symbol, or the word 'Copyright' or abbreviation 'Copr.'; Identification of the owner of the copyright, either by name, abbreviation, or other designation by which it is generally known.

How do you protect a copyright?

Copyright law protects creators of original material from unauthorized duplication or use. For an original work to be protected by copyright laws, it has to be in tangible form. In the U.S., the work of creators is protected by copyright laws until 70 years after their death. 1

What are the types of copyright?

Copyrights protect how something is expressed rather than a specific good or fact. It’s exclusive, meaning only one entity can hold the copyright and use the copyrighted material. The range of things that can be copyrighted is long, and includes literary works, music, sound recordings, movies, photography, and art.