What is a copyright?

Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, films, artwork, software, and other creative content. It gives the creator the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and license their work.

Unlike patents or trademarks, copyright protection automatically applies as soon as the inventor makes and fixes the work in a tangible form. In many countries, no formal registration is required, though registering a copyright can strengthen enforcement rights.

To qualify for copyright protection, a work must meet two key conditions:

• Originality: The work must be independently created and show a minimal level of creativity.
• Fixation: It must exist in a physical or digital form that people can perceive, reproduce, or communicate.

In most jurisdictions, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 50 to 70 years, depending on the country. For corporate or anonymous works, the term is often a fixed number of years from publication Copyright is part of the broader field of intellectual property (IP), alongside patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, each protecting different aspects of creativity and innovation.