Upphovsskap

Upphovsskap refers to the status of being the creator of a work and the rights that arise from that creation. In copyright practice, the upphovsmannen (the author) is the person who initially created the work and holds a set of exclusive rights to use, reproduce, distribute and adapt it. In many jurisdictions these rights arise automatically upon creation, without the need for registration.

Upphovsskap is closely tied to two categories of rights: moral rights and economic rights. Moral rights include the right to be credited as the author (naming) and the right to protect the work from modifications that could harm the author’s honor or integrity. These rights are typically non-transferable, even when economic rights are sold or licensed. Economic rights let the author control exploitation of the work—reproduction, distribution, public performance, adaptation and more—for a limited period, usually the life of the author plus a number of years after death.

When a work has multiple creators, it may have joint authorship. In such cases, all authors share undivided ownership of the work unless there is an agreement to the contrary. Exploitation generally requires cooperation among co-authors, and licenses or assignments can transfer economic rights, while moral rights remain with the original author(s).

Upphovsskap has practical implications for attribution, licensing, and potential disputes over ownership, consent, and duration. It applies to a wide range of works, including literature, music, visual art, film, software, and other creative output.