originalmaterial

Original material is the initial content created by a person or organization, existing in its earliest form and serving as the source for subsequent derivatives. It includes writings, recordings, data, designs, and artifacts that embody the creator’s original expression or discovery before any transformation, translation, or adaptation.

In copyright law, originality and fixation are key. Original material must be fixed in a tangible medium and exhibit a minimal degree of creativity. The law protects the author’s expression in original material such as text, music, computer code, and artwork, while ideas, methods, or facts themselves are not protected.

In archival and library contexts, original material refers to primary sources—manuscripts, letters, reports, field notes, photographs, and other records in their original form. Archivists emphasize authenticity, provenance, and the material’s physical or digital integrity, distinguishing it from copies, facsimiles, or translations.

In publishing, film, and software, the term helps distinguish the author’s own creation from derivative works, adaptations, or fan-made content. Licenses for original material may cover dissemination, reproduction, and public performance, separate from licenses for derived works.

Preservation and access concerns include maintaining integrity, documenting provenance, and providing metadata. Protecting original material ensures accountability for authorship and enables future scholarship and verification.