Glossary · Intellectual Property
Copyright
copyright-a3d4d96504e4c410-2026-07-28
- Type
- Glossary
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Date
- 2026-07-28
- Topic
- Intellectual Property
The exclusive legal rights of authors in original works fixed in a tangible medium, including books, software, music, photographs, and films. Protection arises automatically upon creation, though registration is required before a U.S. author can sue and unlocks statutory damages. Copyright protects expression, not the underlying ideas, facts, or methods.
Definition
The exclusive legal rights of authors in original works fixed in a tangible medium, including books, software, music, photographs, and films. Protection arises automatically upon creation, though registration is required before a U.S. author can sue and unlocks statutory damages. Copyright protects expression, not the underlying ideas, facts, or methods.
Copyright. The exclusive legal rights of authors in original works fixed in a tangible medium, including books, software, music, photographs, and films. Protection arises automatically upon creation, though registration is required before a U.S. author can sue and unlocks statutory damages. Copyright protects expression, not the underlying ideas, facts, or methods. Example: The photographer registered her copyright before suing the ad agency that used her image without a license.