Copyrights

Copyright is a legal framework that protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It applies to literary, musical, dramatic, and artistic works; software, sound recordings, films, and other creative productions are also covered. The core purpose is to give the creator control over how the work is produced, distributed, publicly performed or displayed, and transformed into new works.

Key rights typically include the exclusive ability to reproduce the work, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, perform or display the work publicly, and license others to use it. These rights are usually owned by the creator, though in some cases—such as works made for hire or commissioned works—the employer or commissioning party may own the rights.

Copyright lasts for a limited time. Durations vary by jurisdiction, but many systems follow a “life of the author plus” term (often 70 years after the author’s death). For works made for hire, anonymous or pseudonymous works, the term may be a fixed number of years from publication or creation. After the term expires, the work enters the public domain and can be used freely.

What cannot be protected are ideas, methods, procedures, or factual information; it protects the expression, not the underlying facts or ideas.

Limitations and exceptions include fair use (in the United States) and fair dealing (in some other countries), which allow limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, or research, subject to factors like purpose, nature, amount used, and market effect.

Copyright protection is reinforced by registration in some jurisdictions and is supported by international agreements such as the Berne Convention and TRIPS, which establish minimum standards and facilitate cross-border recognition.