This book provides a commentary on the current copyright law as it affects authors of creative works, intended for authors as well as for business people who need to know more than just the fundamentals. The book has application for novelists, playwrights, poets, biographers, journalists, historians, educators, artists, designers, musicians, composers, performers, choreographers, photographers, architects, engineers, and computer programmers. The book's chapters include: (1) subject matter; (2) copyright ownership; (3) exclusive rights; (4) copyright notices; (5) termination of grants; (6) renewals; (7) copyright transfers; (8) deposit and registration; (9) copyright duration; (10) copyright infringements; and (11) international aspects. The first chapter gives an overview of copyright law as well as subject matter. The second chapter shows the evolution of copyright from its origin in Great Britain until the present. Other chapters include information on wills and inheritance and publication, and other topics of special interest to authors. (Case citations, official copyright forms, a list of countries with which America has international copyright relations, and a circular on GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) Copyright provision basics are appended.) (CR)