The majority of U.S. copyright laws are governed by:

The majority of U.S. copyright laws are governed by federal statute primarily because the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. This constitutional foundation led to the establishment of federal laws that manage copyright protection, most notably the Copyright Act of 1976.

Federal statutes provide a uniform framework for copyright law across the entire nation, ensuring consistency in how copyright is defined, enforced, and adjudicated. This helps creators in various states to know their rights and how they are protected, regardless of local laws. In addition, the U.S. is a signatory to various international treaties that mesh with federal statutory provisions, reinforcing the importance of federal law in retaining the rights of authors and creators on a global stage. This centralized approach contrasts with how other types of laws, such as state statutes or local ordinances, might address issues at more localized levels, and it emphasizes the federal jurisdiction when it comes to copyright issues.