An object is a "useful article" if it has an intrinsic utilitarian function beyond just looking artistic or conveying information (e.g., furniture, machinery, or clothing).
Copyright Office Useful Article Guide: Official registration guidance for works of the visual arts that are also functional. Download 033 zip
ZIP is a lossless format, meaning your data remains exactly the same before and after compression, unlike "lossy" formats like MP3 or JPEG which remove data to save space. The "Useful Article" Doctrine An object is a "useful article" if it
When you download a compressed archive, it typically arrives as a .zip file. On Windows machines, a known limitation is that the system cannot open a ZIP file if the total path length (filename plus folder structure) exceeds 260 characters . If you encounter a download error, try moving the file to a shorter folder path (like C:\temp\ ). The "Useful Article" Doctrine When you download a
ZIP File Technical Specifications : Details on extensions like .zipx and the format's development.
Generally, useful articles themselves are not eligible for copyright protection. However, any separable artistic features—like a pictorial design on a t-shirt or a sculptural carving on a chair—may be protected.
The Untold Story of the ZIP Code : For interest, a different kind of "ZIP"—the socio-economic impact of the postal Zone Improvement Plan.