The inhibition effect of some phthalimide derivatives on the corrosion of copper in acidic media has been investigated by weight loss and polarization techniques. Results obtained revealed that these organic compounds are good inhibitors. Galvanostatic polarization studies showed that these compounds are mixed-type inhibitors. The adsorption of these inhibitors on the copper surface obeys Temkin's adsorption isotherm. The effect of temperature on the corrosion behavior of copper in nitric acid in presence of definite concentration of the inhibitors was studied in the temperature range 30-45 degrees C. The associated activation corrosion and free adsorption energies have been determined.