[header] How to make a copyright notice [title] Determine if your work is protected by copyright. [step] According to the united states copyright office, copyright protects original works of authorship. Common examples include dramatic, literary, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, photographs, paintings, and architecture. 
If you create an original work that fits within the categories listed, your work is protected by copyright. [substeps] Copyright protection does not protect mere ideas.