I found this PDF through boingboing.net. It is a nice overview of US copyright law. Everyone will benefit by reading pages 7 through 9.
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/11/17...nt-nation.html
Here is the link to the original PDF. I didn't want to possibly infringe by posting it here:
http://www.turnergreen.com/publicati...ent_Nation.pdf