What does copyright protect?

Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works. This includes a broad range of creative expressions, such as literature, music, art, and software code, as long as these works are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. The essence of copyright protection is to encourage creativity by ensuring that creators can control how their works are used and distributed, thus providing an incentive for artistic and intellectual innovation.

Original works, being the focus of copyright, ensures that if someone creates a new piece of music, writes a book, or develops a unique software application, they have the right to prevent others from copying or using their work without permission. This legal framework is vital for protecting the interests of creators and fostering a rich environment for the development of new ideas.