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Works created by an agency of the United States government are public domain at the moment of creation. Examples include military journalism, federal court opinions (but not necessarily state court opinions), congressional committee reports, and census data. However, works commissioned by the government but created by a contractor are still subject to copyright, and even in the case of public domain documents, availability of such documents may be limited by laws limiting the spread of classified information.

In the United States, copyright has been made automatic (in the style of the Berne Convention) since March 1, 1989, which has had the effect of making it appear to be more like a property right. Thus, as with some forms of personal property, a copyright need not be granted or obtained through official registration with any government office. Once an idea has been reduced to tangible form, for example by securing it in a fixed medium (such as a drawing, sheet music, photograph, a videotape or a letter), the copyright holder is entitled to enforce his or her exclusive rights.

I appreciate all the concern over the graphic reproductions of the nose art I did during the Gulf War. I had hoped that the agency I first contacted about duplicating my nose art in various sized scale decal sheets would have produced something by now. Unfortunately, they have not. The reason I chose to protect my work was so it would be reproduced as it originally appeared on the aircraft, not from faded or worn photos or images, as is the case with ISRADECALS. Their \"Desert Shield/Storm\" decal looks okay, but they're prints of \"Code One Candy\", \"Hammer Time\", and \"Max Thrust\" look terrible. The company I knew would do the job properly has been very busy doing other requested decal reproductions. I have been waiting patiently for them to finish, though, as I know their work will be \"spot on\" accurate . . . right down to the hoist attachment markings. As for other companies wishing to reproduce my artwork for decal sheets, I don't mind if they do . . . but I have to insist that the images meet my approval first. The other aircraft markings must be as accurate as possible (as scale sizing reasonably permits), and must be as they appeared on the actual aircraft at that time. I don't require financial compensation of any kind, but would appreciate a single copy of any decal sheet series produced depicting my artwork so I may have them for my personal portfolio. Again, I want to thank you all for your concern and integrity. It's refreshing to meet others who care about historical accuracy and quality, and aren't just \"out to make a buck\".
Sincerely,
Warren Trask