What is Copyright?
Copyright grants the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and perform literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic works.
Now a part of intellectual property law, copyright primarily protects creators, publishers, or other owners from unauthorized uses of their work, such as reproducing, publishing, performing, filming, broadcasting, or adapting it. Copyright provides the holder with control over their material and ensures they receive a share of the financial benefits from its use.
How Copyright Works
Copyright grants creators ownership of their original works, giving them exclusive control over how their work is used, such as copying, distributing, adapting, displaying, or performing it publicly. This protection covers a broad range of creative expressions, from books and songs to paintings and software.
Copyright arises automatically the moment you create an original work and express it in a tangible form. There's no need for registration to gain basic copyright protection. For instance, if you write a poem, you automatically own the copyright as soon as you put pen to paper.
This legal framework grants the creator a bundle of exclusive rights, including control over who can copy their work, create derivative works, distribute copies, perform it publicly, or display it in public.
However, copyright is not absolute. There are exceptions and limitations. One significant limitation is fair use, which allows for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, or teaching. Additionally, works that enter the public domain, either because the copyright expired or was never registered, can be freely used.
While registration with the copyright office is not mandatory, it offers several advantages. It strengthens your legal case in the event of copyright infringement, allows you to claim statutory damages, and makes it easier to prove your ownership.