What can copyright protect?

Copyright is a legal framework that provides protection to original works of authorship, which can encompass a broad range of creative expressions. This includes not only written works such as books, articles, and poems, but also musical compositions, visual arts including photographs and paintings, films, software, and even architectural designs. The essence of copyright is to safeguard the rights of creators and ensure that they can control the use of their intellectual property, allowing them to benefit financially and ethically from their creations.

Understanding that copyright protects all forms of intellectual property is crucial. It acknowledges the diverse ways in which creativity can manifest and ensures that a wide variety of works are shielded from unauthorized use. This protection is granted automatically upon the creation of the work, providing the creator with exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, or display their work publicly, among other protections.

In contrast, other choices restrict this understanding. Some suggest limitations to specific categories like written works or photographs, which overlook the comprehensive scope of copyright. Others imply that copyright only applies to items sold commercially, ignoring the fact that protection is in place regardless of commercial intent as long as the work is original and fixed in a tangible medium. These inaccuracies highlight the importance of recognizing the full breadth of copyright protections in understanding intellectual