Copyright law overseas

United States copyright law is governed by the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.
Under U.S. law, copyright protection in original works of authorship exists once the work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
That is, copyright exists upon “putting pen to paper” and creating an original work.

International copyright conventions and treaties have been developed to establish obligations for treaty member countries to adhere to, and implement in their national laws, thus providing more certainty and understanding about the levels of copyright protection in particular countries.