Legal Definitions - uncopyrightable

Definition: Uncopyrightable, adj. (Of a work) ineligible for copyright protection either because the work lacks originality or because it is an idea, concept, process, or other abstraction that is not included in one of the eight covered classifications of copyrightable works. 17 USCA §§ 101–106.

When a work is uncopyrightable, it means that it cannot be protected by copyright law. This can happen for two reasons:

1. The work lacks originality.
2. The work is an idea, concept, process, or other abstraction that is not included in one of the eight covered classifications of copyrightable works.

The eight covered classifications of copyrightable works are:

1. Literary works
2. Musical works, including any accompanying words
3. Dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4. Pantomimes and choreographic works
5. Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
6. Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
7. Sound recordings
8. Architectural works

Examples of uncopyrightable works include:

• Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans
• Lists of ingredients or contents
• Blank forms, such as time cards or order forms
• Works that are purely factual, such as phone books or calendars

These examples illustrate the definition of uncopyrightable because they are not original works and/or they do not fall under any of the eight covered classifications of copyrightable works.