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Copyright Assignment for the United States

Copyright Assignment Template for United States

A Copyright Assignment is a legal document used in the United States that transfers ownership of copyright from one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee). Governed by U.S. Copyright Law, particularly the Copyright Act of 1976, this agreement permanently transfers all rights, title, and interest in the copyrighted work. The document must be in writing and signed by the copyright owner to be legally valid under Section 204(a) of the Copyright Act. It includes specific details about the work being transferred, the scope of rights being assigned, and any conditions or limitations of the transfer.

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What is a Copyright Assignment?

A Copyright Assignment agreement is used when there is a need to transfer complete ownership of copyrighted work(s) from one party to another in the United States. This type of agreement is commonly used in business acquisitions, publishing deals, or when companies need to secure intellectual property rights from employees or contractors. The document must comply with federal copyright law and typically includes detailed descriptions of the work(s), warranties of ownership, and terms of the transfer. Copyright Assignment agreements are particularly important because they provide clear documentation of the transfer and help prevent future disputes over ownership. The agreement must be in writing and should clearly specify the rights being transferred, any limitations or restrictions, and the consideration being provided for the transfer.

What sections should be included in a Copyright Assignment?

1. Parties: Identification of assignor and assignee with full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Context of the assignment and description of the copyrighted work(s)

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Assignment: Core provision transferring copyright ownership

5. Warranties and Representations: Assignor's guarantees regarding ownership and rights to transfer

6. Consideration: Payment or other value exchanged for the assignment

7. Execution: Signature blocks and date of assignment

What sections are optional to include in a Copyright Assignment?

1. Moral Rights: Waiver of moral rights - used when dealing with visual artworks or jurisdictions recognizing moral rights

2. Registration: Provisions regarding copyright registration - used when copyright registration hasn't been completed

3. Further Assurances: Commitment to execute additional documents if needed - used in complex transfers or international assignments

4. Indemnification: Protection against third-party claims - used in high-value transfers or where risk of claims exists

What schedules should be included in a Copyright Assignment?

1. Schedule A - Description of Works: Detailed description of copyrighted works being assigned

2. Schedule B - Existing Licenses: List of any existing licenses or permissions granted to third parties

3. Schedule C - Registration Details: Copyright registration numbers and details where applicable

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Agreement Contract

Cost

Free to use
Clauses















Industries

U.S. Copyright Act of 1976: Primary federal legislation governing copyright law (17 U.S.C. ยงยง 101-1401). Key sections include 204(a) for transfer of ownership, 201 for ownership principles, and 101 for definitions.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): Federal law addressing copyright issues in digital and online contexts, particularly relevant if the assigned works include digital content.

Work-for-hire Doctrine: Section 201(b) of Copyright Act determining ownership of works created in employment context or specially commissioned works.

Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA): Legislation protecting moral rights of visual artists, including rights of attribution and integrity, which may need to be specifically addressed in the assignment.

State Contract Laws: General principles of contract formation, consideration requirements, and statute of frauds applicable in the relevant state jurisdiction.

First Sale Doctrine: Legal principle limiting copyright holder's rights after first sale, which may affect the scope of rights being assigned.

Copyright Registration Requirements: While not mandatory for validity, registration provides additional benefits and should be addressed in assignment terms.

Copyright Duration Provisions: Rules governing the term of copyright protection, which affect the temporal scope of the rights being assigned.

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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